California Fall Classic 100K and 55K at Lake Sonoma Eyes New Partnership and Name for 2024

March 6, 2024

/ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – First off – the Lake Sonoma Race Series (LSRS) wants to say “Thank You to 500 runners, 200 volunteers and 20 sponsors” that helped raise $23,300 for Children of the Vineyard Workers Scholarship Fund in last year’s California Classic.

This year, we’re excited to announce Ted Knudsen as the California Fall Classic (CFC100K) Race Director – a partnership with a huge Bay Area Ultra Community via San Francisco Running Company (SFRC) and the tech leader of “Old School” races that infuse the latest technology and partnerships to compete. Along with this change comes a new name the California Fall Classic 100K at Lake Sonoma.

Ted believes Western States Endurance Race Qualifiers like the CFC100K need to become California institutions by elevating, expanding and growing appropriately to compete on the international stage of Ultra races.

In addition to being the owner of some of the most storied running shops in the country with two locations in Marin County, Ted is also the founder of ultralive.net a pioneer and leader in live tracking for ultra races. Ultralive.net is the most technically advanced race day technology partner, helping the best trail and ultra races such as Western States Endurance Run and the Canyons by UTMB.

Skip Brand, the host since 2014 of the Lake Sonoma Race Series, believes Ted and his team at SFRC will ensure the CFC100K will develop a top professional field and fill the late season void in Northern California. Since slots for the 100K sell out rapidly, a 55K has been added to the weekend festivities to ensure all trail runners can enjoy the running festival with free camping, local wine and beer, plus wine country food and small town hospitality.

About the Lake Sonoma Race Series

Lake Sonoma 50

Founded in 2008, the iconic Lake Sonoma 50 Mile is known for having one of most competitive fields in the United States according to UltraRunning magazine. The beautiful wine country 50-miler consists of nearly 90 percent single-track trails weaving through relentless rolling hills, testing runners with three big climbs and traversing more than a dozen creek crossings. Ultrarunners travel to Sonoma from over 20 countries to experience one of the globe’s most popular and distinctive ultrarunning events, one that includes a trail movie festival, gourmet athlete dinner, industry panels and a lively finish line celebration featuring award-winning wine country chefs, multiple breweries and celebrated wine from Wilson Artisan Wineries. Participants as well as their families and friends enjoy Lake Sonoma and Healdsburg’s small-town charm at an event where a portion of the proceeds support the Children of Vineyard Workers Scholarship Fund, which expands educational opportunities for local students. In 2022, the LSRS expanded to include a Marathon, while the 2023 edition introduces the Trail Sisters Women’s Half-Marathon, sponsored by The North Face.

California Fall Classic 100K at Lake Sonoma

In 2021, the Lake Sonoma 100K became part of the Lake Sonoma Race Series as a response to demand for a longer event in line with the needs of runners hoping to qualify for the Western States Endurance Run and other 100-mile events. The 100K race takes the best of the LS50 and adds another 12 miles of exciting single track with nearly 3,000 feet of climbing and spectacular views. For those seeking a shorter challenge, a 55K, which completes a full loop of one arm of Lake Sonoma, is available. The 55K and 100K October date leverages Lake Sonoma’s ideal racing conditions – average high temperatures in the 70s and cool mornings – and offers participants an opportunity to celebrate Sonoma Wine Country in the harvest season with on-site camping, a race village and partnerships with local food, wineries and breweries.

The LSRS Board of Directors is guided by a group of seasoned trail runners, including former Lake Sonoma 100K race director Keira Henninger, LSRS director Skip Brand and LS50 founder and Western States board member Tropical John Medinger. The board now includes Brandelle Macintosh from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat and course director Jorma Gates.

Contact: Skip Brand

Director: Lake Sonoma Race Series

skip@healdsburgrunningcompany.com