Emerald City Trail Series

Emerald City Trail Series

The Emerald City Trail Series is a five-week trail race series hosted by Big Timber Running Club at Howard Buford Recreational Area and Mt. Pisgah Arboretum in Eugene, Oregon. Events take place on Thursdays May 21, May 28, June 4, June 11, and June 18.

The series distances:

• May 21 - 4.7 miles
• May 28 - 3.4 miles
• June 4 - 8 miles
• June 11 - 3.7 miles
• June 18 - 3 miles

Course details vary by week. Race 1 is 4.7 miles with about 1,300 feet of ascent, including a steep climb to the summit and rocky prairie sections. Race 2 follows bottomlands and river trails with a short climb over trail 17 and a fast finish on trail 3. Race 3 is the 8 mile course with roughly 2,000 feet of ascent and reaches the true summit of Mt. Pisgah. Race 4 is an out-and-back of 3.7 miles along river trails and flatter terrain. Race 5 is 3 miles with about 750 feet of ascent and a half mile climb with over 400 feet of vertical gain.

Courses are marked with yellow cones and flags and remain open to the public. Parking is restricted; participants must use the road past the North Trailhead and may need a $5 Passport Parking permit for zone 97306 or an annual Lane County Parks permit. A donation of at least $50 to Friends of Buford and Mt. Pisgah provides a Lane County parking permit and park trail maps. Water is available to refill bottles before and after races in this cupless event. Restrooms are available near the start. Raffles and awards are planned for the final event.

The event includes a land acknowledgement recognizing the traditional lands of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, the Chafan Tribe, and the Kalapuya Tribe. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.