2013 Into The Wild Orange County Trail Runs

For those trail runners and outdoor adventurers out there, the following events look like something to put on your 2013 calendar. Picture above provided by OC Parks.

OC PARKS ANNOUNCES 2013 INTO THE WILD OC TRAIL RUNS

(Orange County, Calif.) – OC Parks, in partnership with Irvine Ranch Conservancy and Into the Wild OC Trail Runs, presents seven unique race events throughout 2013 at various Orange County Parks venues.

The 2013 Into the Wild OC Trail Run series will kick off on Saturday, January 12 with a rare opportunity to race through the protected wildland of Black Star Canyon. The 9.2k course will begin at the Baker Canyon Trailhead and Staging Area and reach a 1,150-foot elevation gain, traversing the soaring sandstone cliffs, diverse sage scrub and chaparral habitats of the area.

The second Into the Wild race will visit Irvine Regional Park and Santiago Oaks Regional Park on Saturday, March 23. This event will offer two course options for different skill levels. The less technical race is a 10k course with a 400-foot elevation gain through the beautiful oaks and sycamore trees of Irvine Regional Park. The more challenging race offers a 21k course with a 2,800-foot elevation gain that takes runners from Irvine Regional Park into the rocky, single-track trails and steep climbs of Santiago Oaks.

May 11 will present the Into the Wildlands Limestone Eco Challenge. 12k and 20k courses will guide runners through the panoramic views, thick woodlands, spring wildflowers and pristine protected habitat of Limestone Canyon, part of the County-owned Irvine Ranch Open Space.

On August 15, 22 and 29 the Into the Wild Rockin’ Summer Run Series returns to Irvine Regional Park. Three 8k races introduce people of all ages to the exciting world of short-distance trail racing with single-loop courses designed for the beginning trail runner or advanced street racer. After each race, participants will be treated to a free outdoor concert in the park as part of the annual OC Parks Summer Concert Series.

The final race of the 2013 season will take place on November 9 with a second Into the Wildlands Limestone Eco Challenge. 12k and 20k courses will take runners through the captivating fall foliage, serene meadows and rolling hills of the amazing Limestone Canyon.

Registrations for the January and March races are currently open online. More information about each race and how runners can assist Into the Wild OC Trail Runs give back to the land can be found by visiting: www.intothewildoctrailrun.com.

Into the Wild OC Trail Runs provides its community with numerous outdoor runs throughout OC Parks and open space. For more information please contact intothewildtrailrun@gmail.com.