Over The Hill Track Club High Desert 50K & 30K
About the race
The Over The Hill Track Club (OTHTC) is a running and hiking club in Ridgecrest, CA. The club was first organized in 1973, and the first OTHTC High Desert Ultra was run in 1986.
As a 501(c)3 organization, the club uses the proceeds from the High Desert Ultra to benefit organizations in the community. Past proceeds have supported the Track and Cross Country teams of local secondary schools, the Sierra Amateur Radio Club, and many other organizations that provide vital services to the community.
We strive to put on a race with a family atmosphere.
Food and drinks at the finish
Pizza and soda will be available at the finish, along with aid station snacks. June Lake Brewery will offer a complimentary drink for those over 21 years of age.
Race information and facilities
All distances start and finish in the Cerro Coso Community College Gym parking lot. Bathrooms and showers are available in the gym from 5am to 5pm on race day.
Across the road is a large grassy area with shade trees and picnic tables, a good place for families to wait for their runners.
Awards
All finishers receive a handmade ceramic medal. The awards are custom made each year by Skip Gorman.
Overall awards
- First overall male and female of each distance receive an award.
- Early starters are not eligible for awards.
Age group awards
There are age group awards in the 30K and 50K, male and female, three deep in each division: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+.
Military division
The top male and female military finisher in the 30K and 50K who does not receive an overall or age group award receives a Military Division award.
Other recognition
- The first male and female in the 50K receive lifetime free entry.
- Runners with five OTHTC High Desert 50K or 30K finishes receive a sweatshirt.
- Runners with ten OTHTC High Desert 50K finishes receive a Patagonia pull-over.
Hotel and camping
Springhill Suites by Marriott is the host hotel this year.
Camping is not permitted on Cerro Coso Community College property. Camping is available on BLM land.
Bib pickup
Bib and shirt pickup is at the California Welcome Center, 880 N. China Lake Blvd, from 4pm to 7pm.
Bibs and shirts can also be picked up Saturday at the start line from 5:15am.
Shirts
Shirts are not guaranteed for registrants after the cutoff date. Additional shirts will not be ordered after the event.
Race rules and cutoffs
Entry and age
- You must be at least 17 years old to enter the 50K and at least 16 to run the 30K. No exceptions.
Pets
- No pets are allowed on the course or in the start/finish area.
Cutoffs
- Gracie's aid station (24.8 miles on the 50K course) has a 2:30 p.m. cutoff. The finish has a 4 p.m. cutoff.
- Early starters receive credit for finishing but are not eligible for awards.
Cancellation policy
All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Withdrawals receive credit toward the following year's event: 75% at 90 days or more before the event, 50% at 30 days, 25% at 14 days, no credit less than 14 days before the event.
The course
50K
30K
10K
The 30K and 50K are loop courses over rolling desert terrain on dirt roads, with elevation variation from 2400ft to 3500ft. Nine aid stations will be well stocked with water, Skratch, cookies, etc. Temperatures can vary from 30 degrees to 80 degrees on race day, so layers are recommended.
10K course
The 10K starts at 8:00am. There are no early starters for the 10K.
The course starts in the Cerro Coso Community College Gym parking lot and heads up through the old Goldbug Mining area. Runners crest the ridge and head toward the Gracie's Mansion Aid Station, where the course joins the 30K route to the finish.
The aid station will have water and electrolytes. Finishers receive a handmade medallion. The first place male and female receive an award.
Location
City insight: Ridgecrest
Ridgecrest is a city in Kern County, California, USA, along U.S. Route 395 in the Indian Wells Valley, next to the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. It is surrounded by four mountain ranges and is the third-largest city in Kern County. The desert climate brings very hot summers and mild winters, so late autumn through spring are the best seasons to race.
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