23K Overview

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Please note that exact course changes slightly each year due to snow conditions. 

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The Broken Arrow 23K covers a world-class loop that showcases some of Palisades Tahoe's most famous terrain. From the valley floor at 6200 feet, runners will ascend nearly 5,000 feet as they circumnavigate the heralded terrain of North America's most rugged and extreme ski resort. The course is characterized by a plethora of vertical gain over a technical and physically demanding landscape that is mostly above treeline. 
 

Along the way, runners will be treated to numerous iconic California trail running landmarks. These include Emigrant Pass (elevation 8750 feet), made famous by the Western States 100 Endurance Run, the jagged terrain of KT-22, unrivaled views into Granite Chief Wilderness and a the famous Stairway to Heaven ladder, featured on the cover of UltraRunning Magazine!

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The price for the 23k is $140. 

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Please note that you must be 16 years of age or older to run the 23K.

 

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2023 World Mountain Running Association Valsir World Cup

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The 23k is the kick-off event of the 2023 World Mountain Running Association Valsir World Cup as a "gold label" long distance event.

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2023 Golden Trail National Series

 

The Broken Arrow Skyrace 23k distance is the second event for the Golden Trail National Series for the United States and Canada. While the GTWS aims to gather together the best international athletes, the GTNS aims to get the best national athletes together and give them an opportunity to be invited to the GTC.
 

The aim of the national series is to give an opportunity to any strong athletes to take part in the most prestigious international trail running championship the following year and measure themselves against the world’s best athletes.
 

Each national series will highlight the countries’ best races & best athletes with a formula of 2 to 5 races + a national finale and an overall GTNS Grand Final gathering the best of each GTNS.

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​The Broken Arrow Skyrace is proud to have received approval from Trail Sisters, an organization seeking to increase women’s participation and opportunity in trail running and hiking through inspiration, education and empowerment. Click HERE to learn more about this awesome organization.

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Course Specifics 

 

The course for the Broken Arrow 23k starts from the European arch in front of Coffeebar in the heart of the Village at Palisades Tahoe. After the start gun runners head through the Village and east up single track trails along the Western States trail toward CA Highway 89. This relatively smooth 3.25 mile section may be the fastest and most runnable section of the course. 

The course stays in the woods and turns back westward for ~2.6 miles, climbing ~1200 ft. along more single track trails and beautiful two-track ski area access roads to the top of Snow King. Runners then ascend and traverse the Red Dog Ridge with outstanding and technical single track and excellent views of Lake Tahoe. This ridge wraps around the backside of KT and links into the saddle. 

After descending the ridge from the KT-22 ski lift runners traverse for one mile and 1,000 feet of vertical gain along a mix of open single track across the saddle between KT-22 and Washeshu Peak. At this point is one of the more challenging and spectacular climbs on the course as runners ascend up steep trails to the top of the Headwall lift. At this point, the climb scrambles up the ridge line between the top of the Headwall Lift and the top of Washeshu Peak. It is here that the course traverses an exposed rocky ridge to the "Stairway to Heaven" ladder. It has craggy views and steep drop offs on either side. It represents one of the most iconic sections of running/scrambling in the entire race and is the high point of the race at approximately 9,000-feet. 

Runners then descend and traverse about 1200 ft. in ~ 2.5 miles from the top of Washeshu Peak down into Shirley Basin. Along the way, runners will pass through the Siberia Aid Station at mile 8.85. The Shirley Canyon sections is always the  the snowiest section of the course. From the bottom of Shirley Basin the runners climb another snowy ~550 vertical ft. in about .9 miles back up to the High Camp Aid Station at mile 11.75. From High Camp, racers descend back down the Thunder Mountain single track to the finish line at the KT Sun Deck. 

 

Equipment

 

Poles are allowed and encouraged, although if you start with them they must be carried the entire length of the route, meaning you cannot ditch them anywhere. Headphones are allowed as well but are HIGHLY discouraged due to the extreme nature of the course. Traction devices such as MicroSpikes are allowed and race organizers will have hand lines installed where needed due to snow patches and/or steep talus. Please come prepared for a serious run in a mountainous environment and bring your desired personal needs in order to stay comfortable. We are strongly encouraging each runner to carry at least 12oz. of water but this is not required. 

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Drop Bags/Pacers

 

There is no opportunity to utilize a drop bag in the 23K distance. Additionally, pacers are not allowed at any Broken Arrow Skyrace distance.

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Drug Testing

 

 All athletes who participate in National Championships and Team USA competitions are subject to drug testing performed by the (USADA) in accordance with the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing. U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.  

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Aid Stations

 

At the Broken Arrow Skyrace, whether you finish first or last, YOU are a rockstar. This mantra is also true with how you are treated at our aid stations. We've partnered with some of best groups out there who understand that race day is YOUR time to shine. These partners routinely pull out all the stops to make your day a fantastic experience. We hope you will enjoy our best-in-class aid station service from the following groups: