Angeles Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run
Encyclopedia
The Angeles Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run, or AC 100, is a 100 mile (161 km) long ultramarathon
that takes place annually along trails through California's Angeles National Forest
.
(where it climbs Mount Baden-Powell
), the Silver Moccasin Trail
, and the Gabrielino Trail
. It finishes at Loma Alta Park in Altadena, CA, adjacent to the Devil's Gate Dam in La Cañada Flintridge
, near NASA
's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
.
The original race course was mapped out by Del Beaudoin in 1986, and has remained remarkably consistent. The original finish line was the Rose Bowl in Pasadena through 1991. In 1992 the finish line was shifted to Johnson's Field in the Arroyo, adjacent to the Arroyo Seco. In 2008 the finish line was moved to Loma Alta Park, in Altadena.
When Jim O'Brien set the course record in 1989, the overall course was nearly two miles longer.
belt buckle. All runners finishing between 24 and 25:47 hours receive the Second Sunrise Ram Buckle, made of solid bronze. Any runner who completes the race between 25:47 and 33 hours is awarded with the 33 Hour Ram Buckle. Additionally, all finishers regardless of finishing time get an engraved metal plate mounted on a solid walnut plaque and a 5-color Finisher T-shirt.
Ultramarathon
An ultramarathon is any sporting event involving running longer than the traditional marathon length of .There are two types of ultramarathon events: those that cover a specified distance, and events that take place during specified time...
that takes place annually along trails through California's Angeles National Forest
Angeles National Forest
The Angeles National Forest of the U.S. National Forest Service is located in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles County, southern California. It was established on July 1, 1908, incorporating the first San Bernardino National Forest and parts of the former Santa Barbara and San Gabriel...
.
The Course
The race starts in Wrightwood, following portions of the Pacific Crest TrailPacific Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail is a long-distance mountain hiking and equestrian trail on the Western Seaboard of the United States. The southern terminus is at the California border with Mexico...
(where it climbs Mount Baden-Powell
Mount Baden-Powell (California)
Mount Baden-Powell is a peak in the San Gabriel Mountains of California named for the founder of the World Scouting Movement, Lord Baden-Powell. It was officially recognized by the USGS at a dedication ceremony in 1931....
), the Silver Moccasin Trail
Silver Moccasin Trail
The Silver Moccasin Trail is a trail located in the San Gabriel Mountains, just northeast of Los Angeles. It begins at Chantry Flat Recreation Area above the city of Arcadia, California, traversing upward and down through several canyons and along the high ridges of the Angeles National Forest....
, and the Gabrielino Trail
Gabrielino Trail
The Gabrielino Trail is a United States National Recreation Trail that runs through the Angeles National Forest with trailheads at Windsor Avenue in Altadena, California on the west end and Chantry Flat, just north of Arcadia, California, on the east...
. It finishes at Loma Alta Park in Altadena, CA, adjacent to the Devil's Gate Dam in La Cañada Flintridge
La Cañada Flintridge, California
La Cañada Flintridge is a small and affluent city in Los Angeles County, California, United States whose population at the 2010 census was 20,246, down from 20,318 at the 2000 census. According to Forbes, as of 2010, La Cañada Flintridge ranks as the 143rd most expensive U.S...
, near NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center and NASA field center located in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County, California, United States. The facility is headquartered in the city of Pasadena on the border of La Cañada Flintridge and Pasadena...
.
The original race course was mapped out by Del Beaudoin in 1986, and has remained remarkably consistent. The original finish line was the Rose Bowl in Pasadena through 1991. In 1992 the finish line was shifted to Johnson's Field in the Arroyo, adjacent to the Arroyo Seco. In 2008 the finish line was moved to Loma Alta Park, in Altadena.
When Jim O'Brien set the course record in 1989, the overall course was nearly two miles longer.
Awards
Runners who cross the finish line in less than 24 hours are awarded with the Silver Belt Buckle, a solid sterling silverSterling silver
Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% by mass of silver and 7.5% by mass of other metals, usually copper. The sterling silver standard has a minimum millesimal fineness of 925....
belt buckle. All runners finishing between 24 and 25:47 hours receive the Second Sunrise Ram Buckle, made of solid bronze. Any runner who completes the race between 25:47 and 33 hours is awarded with the 33 Hour Ram Buckle. Additionally, all finishers regardless of finishing time get an engraved metal plate mounted on a solid walnut plaque and a 5-color Finisher T-shirt.
Course Records
Jim O'Brien, current coach of Arcadia Boys' Cross Country team (Ranked #1 in the Nation), has held the men's course record since 1989 with a finish time of 17:35:48. Suzanna Bon holds the women's course record with her time of 22:00:15 which she achieved in 2007.Western Slam
This race is also one of the four 100 miles (160.9 km) endurance runs in the United States that comprise the "Western Slam", a feat which entails completing four notoriously tough 100 miles (160.9 km) events:- the Leadville 100Leadville Trail 100Leadville Trail 100 Ultramarathon is an ultramarathon held annually on trails and dirt roads near Leadville, Colorado, through the heart of the Rocky Mountains. First run in 1983, runners in the race climb and descend , with elevations ranging between 9,200-12,620 feet...
in ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains... - the Western States 100Western States Endurance RunThe Western States Endurance Run, known commonly as the Western States 100, is a 100-mile ultramarathon that takes place on trails in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains annually on the last full weekend of June. The race starts at the base of the Squaw Valley ski resort and finishes at the...
in Northern CaliforniaNorthern CaliforniaNorthern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers... - the Wasatch 100Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance RunThe Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run is a 100 mile ultra marathon held annually on the first Friday after Labor Day in the U.S. state of Utah...
in UtahUtahUtah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the... - the Angeles Crest 100 in Southern CaliforniaSouthern CaliforniaSouthern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...