Pacific Coast Trail Runs

I completed the Montana de Oro run in Morro Bay this August. It was my first trail run and I had a lot of questions. I sent an email to John, the owner of PCTR, and he responded really quickly with a lot of details and information. Plus a ton of encouragement!
The pre-​race communication was timely and informative. Race day everything was well organized, staffed with helpful volunteers and loads of friendly encouragement from everyone. It was a great experience from start to finish.
John was there at the finish, remembered me from our correspondence. I appreciated his enthusiasm for the race, rebuilding PCTR, putting out fun, well run events and taking care of the runners. I can’t wait for next year!

Great event. Thanks to all who put on the 6 hour Crissy Field event. I will continue to look for events put on by PCTR

Did the Diablo 25K. Great race, great course markings, excellent aid stations, good folks. Impressed with the new management!

Avoid and don’t think twice about it.

Here’s an eye-​opening read into PCTR’s troubles (as of Dec 2011):
It seems as though they’re still putting on races, but it’s saddening to hear of what has transpired over the past year or two. My last race with PCTR was in Oct 2010, when I made a half-​hearted attempt to complete an ultramarathon during the 12-​hr SF One Day – redemption for dropping out early at their Angel Island 50K that summer. I stopped after 33 one mile laps at Crissy Field. I knew they were backed up, but I never did receive a custom finisher’s coaster for my efforts that day. Little did I know that churning out coasters was probably the least of their problems.
Last year, they were a complete no-​show to their Santa Cruz event, and have canceled races at the last minute (or altogether). I feel most sorry for those who’ve traveled a long distance, including flying in from out of state, only to be met with a non-​existent race. Needless to say, PCTR is in the process of owing back lots of money to those who’ve registered for races that have not or will not take place.
I, like most others, don’t know what’s really going on behind the scenes; I can’t even begin to imagine the hell Sarah, the race director, must be going through. But it sounds as though the frustration boils down to a lack of communication. We all have personal issues to tend to, but to be a no-​show and leave runners stranded without some sort of contingency plan will undoubtedly leave you with strains within the trail running community. I hesitate to sign up for any of their races again until they’re out of the hole that they’ve unfortunately dug themselves into.

First, I should state that this is the first time I have felt sufficiently compelled to write a review on Unilocal,which is probably a bad sign for PCTR. I signed up for the 1÷22÷12 30 km run in Pacifica — this was my first PCTR race. Oddly, though, the race disappeared from the website calendar a couple of weeks ago without any explanation for several days. I emailed the company to ask what had happened to the race — whether it would still be held as planned — and indicated that, if it was canceled, I wanted a refund. I got no response.
Eventually, the website stated that registrants for races that were recently canceled would be getting an email with their options. When it came several days later, the email stated that I could transfer my registration to another available PCTR race. I was given no option for a full refund and apparently there is none available, despite the fact that the race was canceled by PCTR through no fault of my own. Last week, I emailed PCTR requesting a refund of my registration money, and I have yet to receive a response.
I am shocked and disappointed both by PCTR’s failure to respond to my inquiries and refusal to afford registrants the opportunity to receive a refund when PCTR cancels an event. What if a registrant for a canceled race can’t attend any other PCTR events or only wanted to participate in the one that was canceled? This flies in the face of basic customer service principles. The folks who run this business are either inept or simply greedy, or both. Whatever the case may be, I won’t be giving them any more of my money.

STOP GIVING YOUR MONEY TO PCTR! The once glory days of this company are far in the past. In the past year they have cancelled events at the last minute, not shown up for events that were supposed to be held, and failed to provide refunds, awards, shirts, etc. that they owe runners.
PCTR is currently collecting money for events they CANNOT put on in 2012 and history shows they will not refund your money. STOP REGISTERING FOR PCTR EVENTS!!!

THIEVES!!! 3 Months later, no refund ($ 210) for the 24-​hour San Francisco race that was cancelled 2 days before the event Not a single response, not a care in the world for their customers. Horrible business practices, AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!

AVOID.
Really bad business, they canceled several races sometimes with out sending an email or call the runners! SF One Day in September was canceled the day before the race! It’s the middle of December and still many people have not received refunds from that (go file a claim with your credit card or bank!) PCTR couldn’t receive credit card payments because it was shut down from people’s filing against them, and so they said they said people could pay them for races with checks or paypal because of the credit card dispute! PCTR isn’t responding to emails from customers.
When a friend was pacing at one of their events the volunteer wouldn’t let her have some of the soda at the aid station because it was only for the runners. Compared to everything else this is small stuff, but it’s things like this that make a running company not support it’s runners.
Very bad buisness practices, very unprofessional, I’m avoiding their races! I’m taking my business to Costal Trail Runs and Brazen Racing both great trail race organizers in the bay area!

I signed up for a race with PCTR. Less than two weeks before the race was set, I get an email stating that because of «health reasons» they had canceled the race and would send further information regarding refunds. I was saddened, but extremely understanding because of the «health» comment and even sent an email wishing everything was okay. As the weeks passed, I got nervous and decided to look to their Facebook page. There on the page is a promotion for new races! Like nothing ever happened?!
Apparently this is not the first (and wasn’t the last) time they canceled a race. I finally received an email with instructions on how to get my refund; that was three months ago. I have sent five separate emails asking what the deal is. I have posted to their Facebook wall along with others asking what we need to do to get our money back; I still haven’t heard back. No one will respond!
Taking money for a service that you don’t provide and then not giving back the money is fraudulent and unprofessional (to say the least). I will never sign up for a race with this «company» and neither should you.

Like many others, I signed up for the Santa Cruz run. I drove from Sacramento to do this with a friend and they no-​showed. I sent an email which was never responded to. They posted on their site that they would return the fees, I haven’t seen anything.
Do they have a phone number to call?

Imagine this: I woke up early at around 6am to get ready and travel to the Santa Cruz Mountains eagerly anticipating running a 10k race. When I get there by 8am the registration tents aren’t set up (mind you registration is supposed to close by 8:15am). There is a Sportiva Vendor there so we know we’re in the right place. So people are waiting around just talking and stretching getting ready to run.
8:30 rolls around when the first people are supposed to go off and running. no registration tables. no PCTR crew in site. 8:45. 8:50. when i’m supposed to start the 10k. NOTHING. By 9:00 most people decide that since they’re there they might as well go for a run.
When we return from our run, spectators tells us that the PCTR people never showed up. I know they had to cancel events last week in SF because of an emergency situation so I hope that everything is okay. I sent them an email to check up (because email is the contact information we have) and another one this morning. And I would’ve hoped that they would’ve at least posted something on their website. But they haven’t.
I really hope that everything is okay and that nothing critical has happened. But if they don’t send out a message to everyone or post something on their website soon. I’ll feel like I’ve been scammed. And I would feel bad for those that paid for the longer runs because they paid more money.

I’ve had great experiences with PCTR in the past, I’ve ran both sequoia and angel island and they were some of the best running events I’ve done. however, that was quite a long time ago
this morning, PCTR was a complete no show to the ⁹⁄₂₅ Santa Cruz race
there was no timing, no course markings, no bibs/​numbers
I hope this was not due to someone from pctr having some sort of personal emergency. I would have appreciated an email to let me know the race was canceled, as outside of some emergency, I would think the folks at pctr knew this race wasn’t going to happen and didn’t let their customer’s know.

Mike, Sterling and the rest of the PCTR crew continue to put on a consistent and fun trail race series. Yesterday, I did the 30K at Sequoia and even though it was a difficult day for me, I was glad I did it. I admit that part of my difficulties was taking a turn when I should have gone straight, but, that’s on me and not the organizers. Trail races are so much more fun for me than road races, 2012 is going to be the year of the trail race for me, so I’m.m looking forward to more PCTR races. Thanks to all the Volunteers!!!

I love PCTR! They organize an incredible number of (mostly trail) races in the Bay area, from 8K runs suitable for first-​time trail runners to 24-​hour and 100-​mile events. I have participated in (I’m too slow to say «run») trail races from 10K to 100M in many parts of the US, and PCTR’s races are among the best marked and most well-​supported. The owners/​organizers are awesome, and have helped make me a better runner!
PCTR is not a running club, but it doesn’t claim to be, so I am not sure why a previous poster mentioned that. I do love a post-​run beer (sometimes I really miss WI – the Badgerland Striders have a keg after every race, whether it’s 80 or –80), but many CA parks where PCTR holds their races do not allow alcohol, so unfortunately the post-​run celebration must be limited to soup, chili, fruit, soda, candy, and (when in season) pumpkin pie. Also, unlike road races, trail races often have 10K or more between some aid stations for logistical reasons (this is NOT unique to PCTR – I did a race in Montana where I spent 3+ hours between aid stations in 80+ degree weather). So you should always (as PCTR’s website says) carry your own water for pretty much any trail race unless it is very short and cool. The locations of the aid stations are posted well before the race on the website so you can plan accordingly. Likewise, the course directions are posted on the website beforehand and marked with ribbons. Any questions? You can post a message on the PCTR forum/​message board.
Yay PCTR!

PCTR offers beautiful, tough trail runs. They have a full calendar and excellent range of distances, from 10 km to ultra marathons.
However, this is not a running club with weekly group runs where members share advice and build a strong local community. It’s a business. Which is fine by me — we need these types of companies in the running community to organize great events. However, If you have run with running clubs, you may surprised /​disappointed with certain aspects of the PCTR.
The events are usually well marked, but not always. My wife has had fairly good experiences with the staff, but I have not. They often seem disorganized and are not always in sync. For example, many aid station volunteers often seem unfamiliar with the course details. I ran a 50 km with them and they didn’t have any water/​aid for the last 10 km on a hot day. Not a big deal if you are carrying your own provisions, but seemed a little irresponsible to me. They typically do not have much food after the events, so if you’re running a marathon or ultra, you will need to plan accordingly. I have never seen a post-​run beer celebration; these folks are all business.
Overall, my perception is that some of the staff members are a bit distant, defensive and somewhat arrogant. But their runs are well chosen and cover breathtaking landscapes. Most of the ultra races in the bay area are sold out so one typically doesn’t have many options and the PCTR is a great back-​up, last minute choice. I can’t given them a ringing endorsement, but do recommend you check out their events if you need a long training run or want to see some of the beautiful landscapes in the area.

Just did the Skyline Ridge 23K and loved it. It was well-​organized but laid-​back; the trails were really well-​marked; the course was beautiful; and the runners were super friendly, offering encouragement even as they were leaving my ass behind on the numerous hills. And there were lots of hills, even on this «easy» course. I didn’t love the angry yellow-​jackets, although getting stung twice (once on my head, damn it) added a little excitement mid-​race.
Looking forward to the next one (s)!

PCTR puts on great events that are well-​organized and encourages all people of experience, shapes and sizes to participate. I really enjoyed the Santa Cruz half-​marathon yesterday and the course was fantastic.
PCTR, you guys are fantastic!

I just completed the Pacifica run this past Saturday and there is nothing better than watching a guy who’s at least twenty years older than you kick your ass running up a hill.
I’ll catch you next time you Jack LaLanne looking bastard!

If you want to run a race that is full of very serious runners who also happen to be very cool and laid back people, then you need to run a PCTR race. I’ve run two this year (Mt. Diablo Marathon and Pacifica) and was amazed at the collegial spirit of these races. Don’t even get me started on the beauty (and brutality) of the courses.
Time to get off the roads and onto the trails.