Over the Hill Track Club
UpcomingEvents
Welcome to the Over the Hill Track Club website. We are a recreational club serving Ridgecrest, California and the Indian Wells Valley. Here in the high Mojave desert, we organize a year-round schedule of races, fun-runs and other activities. Most events are open to the public. We are most known for the High Desert Ultra 50K and 30K that we host in early December. Follow us on the Over the Hill Track Club Facebook Page Ridgecrest Running.
We are a 501(c)(3) organization, with the mission of promoting and encouraging running and related activities as a sport and healthy lifestyle within our community. Profits from our activities go towards supporting local youth running groups and community charitable organizations.
From Race Director Eric Kajiwara
The annual Over the Hill Track Club Firecracker 4000 was held on July 4th, 2025, with a record breaking number of 61 runners participating in the event. The course is approximately 4000 meters (2.5 miles) with the dreaded "Fallen Woman Hill" just before the turn around point.
The overall winner in the female category was 16-year-old Alexis Zwierzchowski, with a finishing time of 22:44. The top finisher in the male category was 30-year-old Gregory Ostrum II with a finishing time of 18:54.
Thanks to all that participated, and to Randy Klassen and Jo Kajiwara for helping with race preparations.
Registration for the 2025 edition of the High Desert Ultra is set to open on August 1, on UltraSignup. For 2025, we are excited to add a 10k course! Here's a preview of our 2025 awards, crafted by local metal sculptor Skip Gorman.
For more information about the High Desert Ultra visit our Ultra pages.
7/7/2025-
8/24/25
Summer Challenge Virtual Trail Run Series
Anytime
Various
The Summer Challenge returns for 2025! This is a series of six virtual trail runs. Run each designated course anytime within the two-week window for that course. A new course will "go active" each Monday starting July 7. Participate in as many as possible to earn series points. New for 2025! We will add a 70+ age division!
There will be a Facebook event page on Ridgecrest Running for each course, where participants can share their results, photos, and experiences.
Registration opens on June 23, on RunSignUp! In order to enable series registration after the start of the first course, the courses are listed individually. Just register for all (remaining) courses.
For more information, visit our Summer Challenge pages.
Anytime
Various
8/16/25
Back to School Run
7 am
College Trailhead
The annual OTHTC Back to School Run will be held on Saturday, August 16. This is a 2-mile fun run or walk beginning and ending at the dirt parking lot just past the end of the pavement on College Heights Blvd. Signups start at 6:15 am for the 7 am start.
This event is not just for students. It's a great opportunity for families, or just anyone wanting to get out for a nice morning in the desert! There is no entry fee, but donations are cheerfully accepted.
7 am
College Trailhead
OTHTC is a member of the Road Runners Club of America.
