Hey Cirque Running community! We hope you’re keeping cool as the summer continues on and getting in as much trail time as you can!
The 5 Peaks Challenge in Mission Trails Regional Park is San Diego's most coveted trail run, and one every trail runner that resides in Southern California should give a go. The 5 Peaks Challenge consists of topping out all 5 peaks in Mission Trails Regional Park, those being Cowles Mountain, Pyles Peak, North and South Fortuna, and Kwaay Pay Peak. For many years, if you completed the 5 Peaks Challenge in any form and in any amount of time, single day or multiple, you were rewarded with a pin if you registered your run or hike at the Visitor Center. Unfortunately they capped this at 15,000 finishers, but I think we should bring it back! While there are multiple ways to approach the 5 Peaks Challenge, whether that be a loop, or the out-and-back style we used for this video, you can't go wrong with any direction you decide to approach from, and you'll be rewarded with stunning views of all San Diego county along the way.
The route we chose for this video was probably the most common, that being to park by Old Mission Dam and using the parking lot as a staging area to help with the amount of fuel you have to bring for the run. As we mention in the video multiple times, and in detail at (6:30), parking near or around Old Mission Dam allows you to do two out-and-backs, giving you the opportunity to refuel at the half way point during your run. This allows you to carry less on the trail, ultimately helping with fatigue, overheating on a hot day if wearing a vest, and staying properly fueled and hydrated.
Altogether I clocked just under 20 miles with around 4,500' feet of elevation gain in just under 5 hours. When I've done this in the past doing a loop, I want to say my mileage was closer to 22 or 23. When it comes to training for 50k's and incorporating long runs into the plan, I tend to shoot for the 20 mile mark and 4k gain, so this fits nicely into my training program. Pro tip, which is fairly common knowledge, if you can run this in the shoulder seasons or winter do so! This video was filmed in July and while I had good cloud cover for the first 20% of the day, the coastal marine layer burned off quickly as it always does and I was left ending the day in 90 degree heat. Not overly hot by any means, but the heat was enough to give me a swift kick in butt on the final climb up Kwaay Pay Peak.
Mission Trails Regional Park trail system is a robust one, hosting nearly 65 miles of trails within 8,000 acres, it's an incredible resource for hikers, bikers, and of course, trail runners. Mission Trails is also the largest municipal park in California, and one of the largest urban parks in the United States.
Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel @CirqueRunning to keep up to date with all of our latest trail running edits. Enjoy this video of the 5 Peaks Challenge in San Diego at Mission Trails Regional Park!
Also, make sure to check out our Trail Running GPX page so you can download the route and upload it to your watch or phone. This GPX page will be a continuous work in progress so make sure to take advantage of the GPX files we already have posted and be sure to check back weekly as we continue to update the page.
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Website: cirquerunning.com
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Run Gear List
Patagonia Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt
Patagonia Strider Pro Shorts 5"
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Suunto Race Titanium
Raide Research LF 2L Running Belt
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Cirque Running’s mission is to inspire our trail running community through elevated retreats and professional coaching, with certified UESCA ultrarunning coaches. We’re Trail Runners, Mountain Guides, Educators, Coaches and Stewards of the Sierra and California, and we want to share these remarkable places with all those seeking natural abundance in the Range of Light and beyond.
