Emerald City Trail Series

Big Timber Running Club is putting on the 2024 Emerald City Trail Series. This a fun trail race series held in Howard Buford Recreational Area and Mt. Pisgah Arboretum in Eugene. This set of five trail races between 3-8 miles takes place on the evenings of May 30, June 6, June 13, June 20 and June 25. The last race will be held on Tuesday, June 25 so as not to conflict with the US Olympic Track & Field Trials. Buford Park and Mt Pisgah is a wonderful place to have a trail series because of its wide variety of trails and scenery.  Mt. Pisgah’s 1531′ summit is in the middle of the largest of Lane County’s 73 parks. It offers views of the Cascade Mountains, Spencer Butte, the Middle and Coast Forks of the Willamette River, Eugene, Springfield, Creswell, Jasper, Pleasant Hill and Goshen.

All races will start at the #38 trailhead near the Sheriff’s Mounted Posse arena at the North end of Buford Park. Parking will be on Buford Park Road, just beyond the North Trailhead Parking Lot gate. Runners must have a $5 parking permit using the Passport Parking app and zone 97306 for each race. An annual Lane County Parks Permit will also work. Donate at least $50 to Friends of Buford Park and Mt. Pisgah membership, get a Lane County Parking Permit good at all parks, and park trail maps.

We’ll meet for a party after the last race on June 25. Awards will be given out as well as raffle prizes from our sponsors.

The entire 5-race series is $100. Or sign up for individual races for $25 each. Day of race entry will be $25 on UltraSignup, or at the event via cash/Venmo/PayPal.

Race Descriptions

May 30 – 5.4 miles

*NEW COURSE 2024*

We are unable to cross through the arboretum trails this year since the series starts in May. 

The new route for race #1 is 5.4 miles with 1300′ ascent, going up trail 3, 7, back to 3, 36, summit over trail 6, down 1, 4, and finally back down 3. Runners reach views of Eugene and the Coastal Mountains, a rocky terrain climb through an open prairie and a descent past Swing Hill to the finish.

June 6 – 3.75 miles

Race #2 is 3.75 miles. This out-and-back uses the North Bottomlands (#8) and North Quarry (#5) trails along the Coast Fork of the Willamette River. This flat and fast course is perfect for track and cross-country athletes to show their speed. This is also a nice shake-out run for those participating in the McKenzie River Trail Runs 50K the following Saturday.

June 13 – 5 miles

Race #3 is 5 miles with 1325′ ascent using trails 3, 4, 24, 1, and back to 3.  We’ll start heading up to the North boundary of the park traversing through shaded forests of oaks and mixed conifers.  The route makes a steep cut uphill toward the summit and then a steady descent back to the finish

June 20 – 8 miles

Race #4 is 8 miles with 2000′ ascent using trails 3, 7, 1, 6, 2, 4, and back to 3.  The longest and maybe the most challenging race of the series.  This route is the only one that reaches the true summit of Mt. Pisgah.  Look for Diamond Peak and Mt. Bachelor above the cascade foothills. Once at the top, runners will descend down a gravel trail toward the East Trailhead with scenic shots of Goshen and Pleasant Hill.  This route uses all 2.8 miles of the short but steep grades of the shaded North Boundary Trail.

June 25 – 3 miles

*This year the final race was moved to Tuesday to not conflict with the Olympic Track & Field Trials in Eugene.*
Race #5 is 3 miles with 750′ ascent using trails 3, 7, 17, 1, and back on 3.  This one may be short, but it’s a tough one.  Race #5 starts like the first race but turns on the Summit Trail from the arboretum for a half-mile climb with over 400′ of vert. After the final run, celebrate the race series at the Emerald City Trail Series party.

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