Race for Open Space

Race for Open Space is a 1-day event happening on Saturday May 11th, 2024.

What do I get when I register and participate?

In alignment with our values, we have opted not to create participation medals this year. We are salvaging fallen tree limbs from our properties to produce "outstanding achievement" medals for the top finishers in each course. Participants will receive a physical race bib to help us identify and keep you safe on these courses. We also have Big Sur Land Trust swag available for purchase on the website and on hand at the event.

Can I participate on a bike?

No, this particular event is strictly a run/walk/hike event. (Wheelchair users are permitted to use their chairs, however.) If you are keenly interested in getting out on your bike, we encourage you to check out some of the other organizations and clubs in our region who are putting together great biking events.

Hover over "Event Info" in the navigation bar to get a list of the different courses available for this year's event.

The courses will include a limited number of aid stations, but participants should be self-sufficient by bringing your own snacks and water. There will also be hydration and nutrition available in limited quantities around the start/finish line at Palo Corona Regional Park.

There are multiple restrooms near the start/finish line at Palo Corona Regional Park. In addition, there is a portalet at the bottom of the hill below Inspiration Point and another at the William's Canyon aid station/turn around point. 

No matter if on Land Trust courses or running on your own, you should always consider the environment where you will be running and what kinds of things you might run into. For example, if you are running on or near a street, you should always be aware of traffic and wear reflective gear if you are running in the dark.

On Land Trust trails, some potential dangers to prepare for include (but are not limited to) poison oak, thistle, stinging insects, and ticks. To prevent contact, we recommend long, light-colored layers and light-colored tube socks. We also have terrain that can be muddy or sand-like depending on the weather. The terrain can also be quite uneven and steep. If you own trail running shoes, we recommend wearing those.

Preparing for weather exposure is also important. With the various microclimates across Big Sur Land Trust's properties in Monterey County in May, it can be hard to predict what the weather will be like. It could be very chilly in the morning and could warm up significantly as the day goes on. It could be very foggy, even drizzly, and it could also be a hot, sunny, cloudless day. We recommend preparing yourself for all kinds of weather possibilities, especially by wearing layers and sun protection. Anyone running the 25k and 35k courses should bring a change of shoes and socks in case you get wet during creek crossings.

There is a 6-hour time window allowed for the 12k, 25k and 35k courses starting at Palo Corona Regional Park.

I went out to one of the Land Trust properties and there was a tree that fell across the trail. How do I report this?

Please click here to report any hazards you encounter while out at the properties such as downed trees, landslides, or fallen signage.

Big Sur Land Trust staff and volunteers may be on properties on occasion to take photos or videos, but this is not guaranteed. We encourage you to take your own photos or team up with others signed up for Race for Open Space in your household to take photos. We have an event photo album on this website where you can upload your photos and check out other peoples' photos, too! When you submit your photos online or share them with us directly, they will automatically be entered into a photo contest. If you upload your photos on social media, we encourage you to use the hashtags #BSLT, #ROS2024, #RaceForOpenSpace, #LandsYouLove, #OpenSpace, and #MontereyCounty (feel free to use other nonspecific tags too like #Race, #Run, #Walk, #Jog...). By submitting a photo, you consent to Big Sur Land Trust's future use of that photo in electronic, social media, print, and other communications.                                                                                         

If you purchase Land Trust swag, your order will be fulfilled on a rolling basis. Please allow 2-3 weeks for your order to arrive, and register early if you would like to receive your gear before the Race for Open Space begins. No matter when your merchandise arrives, we would love it if you took a photo of yourself, shared it on social media, tagged @BigSurLandTrust, and mentioned the #RaceForOpenSpace!

Big Sur Land Trust hosts the Race for Open Space as a charitable fundraising event to inspire love of land across generations, conservation of our unique Monterey County landscapes, and access to outdoor experiences for all. We follow standard running industry policy for the Race for Open Space and are not issuing registration refunds except under special circumstances.

If you registered for a Race for Open Space and can no longer make it at that date/time, or if we cancelled that day's outings due to inclement weather, please reach out to the race director Burke Boynton at (831) 224-5241 or bboynton@bigsurlandtrust.org.

If you can no longer participate at all due to COVID-19 or another emergency, we can roll over your registration to next year's event. Please be sure to relinquish your date/time slot in your participate profile as a courtesy to other participants who want to get out on the land.

If you are having issues with registration, please visit this FAQ page first before contacting the Race Director to see if your issue is there: https://help.runsignup.com/support/solutions/17000080452. If your registration issue is not there, or if you have a question about something else, you may leave a message for the Race Director at (831) 224-5241 or bboynton@bigsurlandtrust.org.