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The ninth annual Big George Ventures World's Toughest Half takes place in the scenic Sierra foothill town of Auburn, the Endurance Capital of the World. Enjoy the incredible beauty and challenge of this one-of-a-kind course in a convenient&hospitable town. We offer something different than bland routes with overcrowded fields common in our booming sport.

Here you will enjoy a no hassles, grass roots feel, a true adventure into the Sierra and a focus on the athlete. Read the scrolling messages to see what other athletes have to say...The World's Toughest Half will be a weekend you never forget! Come to Auburn and discover what Ironman age-group world record holder Jeri Howland calls, "The best race I've ever done. An awe-inspiring experience".

Check out the new Google Maps/Satellite interactive course maps!

1.2 Mile (2K) SWIM

You will swim in Folsom Lake at Rattlesnake Bar State Park, 6 miles downhill from the Auburn Railhead Park finish line. Rattlesnake Bar is at the very rear of Folsom Lake (furthest from the dam), where the American River feeds into the lake. Water temp has ranged from 64-73 on race day. You will swim a diamond-shaped route (mostly visible from the start line) in a mini bay surrounded by steep canyon walls and natural beauty. Click here for complete swim course details, including photos and race day logistics.

56 Mile (90K) BIKE

Enjoy extremely quiet roads and a very tough, very beautiful course. This course has a bit of everything: sustained climbs into the Sierra at gentle grades, a couple short steep climbs, a couple short windy descents, flat/slight downhill sections to hammer and a fun roller coaster section - all on smooth, safe, very minimal traffic (only 4 signal intersections outbound and again homebound) roads. The initial six miles will be significant climbing as you travel from Rattlesnake Bar park (el. 420') through Auburn (el. 1,600), then continue steadily gaining elevation to mile 26 and the beginning of the Bear River loop.

After a stunning, top secret journey down to the banks of the Bear River and back up to complete a 5-mile loop at the top of the course, you will steadily lose elevation mile 32 to mile 56 as you proceed from the high point of 2,435' back to the Auburn finish line at 1,300'.

Click here for complete bike course details, including descriptions, turn-by-turn with mileage and predicted timelines and an assortment of super cool maps and photos.

13.1 Mile (21K) RUN

The 13.1-mile run is on a new spectator-friendly, 3-loop course of 7 kilometers - a scenic and challenging route through the Auburn State Park and Auburn canyon-edge neighborhoods. Enjoy the tranquility of a course entirely closed to auto traffic and affording stunning canyon views at seemingly every turn. You'll pass thru a spectator-lined chute at the Railhead Park finish line on every loop and get 7k splits to keep you on pace.

The course consists of the following: 1.25 miles of flat single&double track shaded canal trail, 1 mile of gradual descent, 1 mile of flat and 1 mile of gradual climb (200') to the finish line. Click here for complete run course details.