Situated on the north shore of Lake Natoma, Mississippi Bar makes for a beautiful yet challenging trail run prospect!  This race highlights the unique natural features that make our area truly one of a kind: the rocky, open terrain evidence of a gold mining past; the meandering trails of the American River enjoyed in all seasons by outdoor enthusiasts; and the rolling, oak-studded hills that define the beloved Fair Oaks bluffs.

5K Course Features

The 5K course ventures up into the oak-lined bluffs that consist of single and double track trails with some areas of steep elevation change (incline and decline). From atop the bluffs, you will have beautiful views of Lake Natoma and the unique rock dredge trails left behind by gold prospectors. The descent will take you into the back half of the course which will run along a flat access road and back into the main event area.

10K Course Features

The 10K course will include the 5K course while also expanding into the wetlands of Mississippi Bar and along the shores of the lake. This route will occur on single and double track trails and access roads, consisting of extruding river rock, gravel, mild switchbacks, and minimal elevation changes.

Download: 5k map | 10K map

Click on the links above to be taken to the AllTrails website. From there you can download any number of GPS-related files like GPX, Google Earth, Garmin, etc. for use on your own smartphone, smartphone, or other device.

How it Works

In the spirit of what this trail run is all about – being healthy, having fun, and taking on a challenge for an important cause – you can participate in this event on YOUR own time in YOUR own way as a virtual runner until June 7th! You can run, skip, jog, or walk our two distances (5K/10K) in whichever way you are most comfortable with. It’s your race, on your terms! Whether you’re on the trail, the treadmill, the sidewalk, or at the park – go the distance and accomplish the goal! 

When you complete your run and show proof of participation, you will be eligible to receive your event t-shirt and finisher medal!

entry fees

*Registration is managed through Race Roster. Click "Register to Race" above or visit the website here.

Proof of Participation

Submitting proof of participation is easier than ever through Race Roster. Click here for instructions on how to upload your virtual results. Don’t forget to share your experience with us on social media!

LOCATION | 9500 SUNSET AVE., FAIR OAKS, CA 95628 

While you are free to do your virtual run wherever and whenever works best for you, we encourage you to still explore the Mississippi Bar area while practicing safe social distancing. The entrance is at the intersection of Sunset & Main Avenues in Fair Oaks, CA. Traveling east or west on Highway 50, look for the Hazel Ave. exit (21) and take Hazel north to Sunset Ave. Turn right on Sunset and follow the street past Phoenix Park on your right all the way down until you reach the intersection with Main Ave.

Refund & Cancellation Policy

All entry fees are non-refundable and may not be transferred to future races. However, entries may be transferred to other individuals for this race (managed through our Race Roster website). There are NO exceptions to the non-refundable policy.

Future RACE TIMING

Our future races will utilize chip technology with live results and runner tracking brought to you by Capital Road Race Management, the premier professional race management company throughout Northern California, Nevada, and Hawaii. You can learn more about them and the other races they serve below.

RACHEL ANNE GRAY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

In honor of Rachel Anne Gray, a cherished member of Fair Oaks who has left a lasting impact on our community, the Gray family along with the Fair Oaks Youth Advisory Board and FORPD are proud to host the Rachel Anne Gray Memorial Scholarship Program to acknowledge young people who are committed to community and school service and who seek positive solutions to the critical problems and issues today’s youth face. 

Rachel, who passed away on September 2^nd, 2012 at the age of 21, was an active individual in our community and her spirit of living life to the fullest each day continues to make a difference in the people she touched.

Please help us by donating to support the three scholarships in Rachel’s name that have been awarded annually since 2015 to deserving high school students in Fair Oaks.

Applications no longer accepted

We are no longer seeking sponsors or vendors. We have a long history of partnering with local businesses and would love to work with you next year!

Frequently asked questions

When can i run my race?

You can run your 5K or 10K anytime, anywhere until the end of June 7th. We hope this gives all participants the opportunity to run that fits best with their own schedule.

Are there tracks of the course available?

We currently have the course maps available through AllTrails by clicking on the links below. From there you can download any number of GPS-related files like GPX, Google Earth, Garmin, etc. for use on your own smartphone, smartphone, or other device.

5K Map | 10K Map

I’ve submitted my results through Race Roster. When can I expect to receive my t-shirt and finisher medal?

Due to the changed circumstances of the virtual event, we will only be able to provide t-shirts and finisher medals to participants after June 7th. We will communicate with everyone directly via email about how we will be getting them to you in the safest, most efficient way possible.

WHO CAN I CONTACT WITH further QUESTIONS about the virtual race?

If you have a question you need answered, please contact our Race Director, Nick Davison, at ndavison@forpd.org.