Runs and Races around Sacramento | The Sacramento Bee

Here’s our weekly best bet for races of various lengths and surfaces.

ROAD

Urban Cow

When: 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 4

Where: Land Park, Sacramento

Cost: $85 (half) and $45 (5K), No race-day registration

Reason to compete: This race is arguably Sacramento’s premier half-marathon, drawing the best runners from the area and occasionally elites in the region. Local Kevin Pool boasts the course records for both distances (14:49 for the 5K in 2012 and 1:06.18 for the half in 2013).

Info: urbancowhalf.com

TRAIL

Rocky Ridge

When: 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3

Where: Las Trampas Regional Park, San Ramon

Cost: $75 (half-marathon); $54 (10K); $50 (5K)

Reason to Run: You gain 3,989 feet in the half-marathon – and expect many runners to whiz on by you. That’s because Brazen Racing is offering prize money for this half ($1,000 for male and female winners, $500 for second, $250 for third). Elite pro runners Alex Varner (1:33.27) and Megan Roche (1:45.27) hold the course records.

Info: www.brazenracing.com

UPCOMING

Folsom Blues Breakout

When: 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 18

Where: Johnny Cash Bridge, Folsom

Cost: $75 (half); $90 (relay); $35 (5K)

Reason to Run: Aside from the great T-shirts of the Man in Black and, no doubt, the Johnny Cash music that will serenade you throughout, this is a net downhill race. Folsom’s Jesse Barragan won last year’s race at 1:15.23, holding off the women’s winner, Jane Kibii of Colfax, who finished at 1:15.40.

Info:

www.folsomblueshalf.org

Sam McManis