The OTHTC 2012 Ultra was run December 2, 2012
The date for the 2013 OTHTC Ultra is December 1, 2013

A big congratulations to all of the 325 runners that braved fierce winds to finish the High Desert Ultra or the 30k run on Sunday!

One veteran local who ran on Sunday stated that she could not remember running in more brutal winds. At the finish line, it became a constant challenge to keep the finish chute standing upright. Eventually the fight seemed futile, and the stanchions were allowed to remain flopped over on the ground.

Ricardo Ramirez (pictured), 40, of Sun Valley, CA, won the 50k race in 3:39:00. Kate Martini Freeman of Los Angeles, 31, was the women’s winner in 4:31:30. The military award went to Joe Baumgarte, 42, of Las Vegas, in a time of 4:37:07.

Winner of the 30k race was Fernando Blanco, age 33, from Encinitas. He finished in 2:06:06. Lisa Fink, 43, Valencia, was the first female finisher, in 2:38:56.

Jim Madonna traveled from Fairbanks, Alaska to obliterate the men’s 70-79 division course record in the 30K. His time of 3:01:09 beats the old record of 3:48:57 set by Marvin Powers in 2001. (Powers still holds the 80-89 division records in both the 50K and 30k.)

Of the 325 finishers, 228 completed the 50k, while 97 finished the 30k.

You can take a look at results by clicking 50k results and 30k results.

Tom Rafalski at the Highway Crossing aid station posted over 600 pictures on Picasa. You should be able to access them by clicking here.

2011 OTHTC 50K Ultra Results           2011 OTHTC 30K Results

The 2012 Over The Hill Track Club High Desert 50K Ultramarathon and 30K will be held on Sunday, December 2nd. December is a great time for running on our desert roads and trails.  Mountain views are plentiful—the southern Sierra Nevada range is obvious to the west, but you may also see a snowy Telescope Peak to the Northeast. Rattlesnakes are hiding for the winter, and temperatures are generally cool.  But Mother Nature is always capable of making things more interesting, and anything from wind, rain, snow or even hail, to an unseasonably hot day, may show up to provide us with an added challenge!

This year the High Desert 50k will again host USATF Southern California Association 50 km Trail Championship, as well as the Southern California RRCA State Championship.  We are also the last stop for the Southern California UltraRunners Grand Prix Series.  As always we have some great sponsors joining us, and we hope you will all use their fine products.

Race director Terry Mitchell and her team are gearing up for another great run.  We’re looking forward to again sharing our running trails with all of our old and new ultra friends.  Don’t miss out on a fun day in the beautiful Mojave Desert!  Come join us again, and bring your friends!  We’re looking forward to seeing you all in December.






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Course
The course is a loop route over rolling desert terrain on jeep roads, single-track trails and sandy washes over the Spangler Hills south of Ridgecrest.  It offers great views of the Southern Sierras and can provide wonderful running conditions during the month of December.  We think this is a great course for first timers and veterans alike.  Runners are supported by 9 great aid stations, about every three miles, with water, electrolyte drink and other ultra-type goodies.  Click here for course maps…  

Race Start
The start and finish for both runs is located at the Cerro Coso Community College athletic complex parking lot. Start time for both races is 7:00 a.m.  There will be an early start at 6:00 a.m. for those who may take more than 9 hours to finish.  Early starters must check in with the race director.  You will get credit for finishing but NO AWARDS for early starters.

Race Headquarters
Race headquarters is once again St. Anne's Parish, 466 W Church Ave.

Official Hotel
The official hotel is Heritage Inn and Suites, 1050 N Norma.

Awards
All participants will receive a T-shirt and all finishers, a finisher’s medal.  We ask that you please wait until the awards ceremony to pick up your award.  There will also be a “Runner’s Raffle” of some fine items donated by our Sponsors.

Weather
We generally have great running weather during December—sunny and cool.  However, Mother Nature can occasionally bring in either warm weather or a winter storm.  Temperature on race day can vary from 30 to 80 degrees!  Be sure to carry at least one water bottle.-------What's the weather in Ridgecrest?

Race Charities
The High Desert Ultra always donates race profits to the a worthy charity. The charity this year is the Southern Sierra Boys and Girls Club.

Last But Not Least
Please respectful of the desert landscape and of others enjoying it, including hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians.  Please carry your trash and deposit it in a trash receptacle at the next aid station.