Lake Sonoma 50 Expands with New 100K Distance and 2-Day Race Series in 2021

December 2, 2020

New 100K Race Director Keira Henninger

HEALDSBURG, Calif (December 2, 2020) – Today Lake Sonoma 50, a favorite and mainstay in the trail running community since 2008, announced the addition of a 100K distance to make a 2 day race series.  Originally created by “Tropical” John Medinger to prepare elite athletes for the Western States Endurance Run in June, the race continues to evolve by expanding into a multi-race weekend series.

The Lake Sonoma Race Series will take place April 10th-11th, 2021 in Healdsburg, California. Lake Sonoma is home to miles of singletrack trails that challenge even the most experienced runners, with relentless rolling hills, several water crossings, and over 10,000 feet of elevation gain in a beautiful lakeside setting. The series will now offer a new 100K distance, led by veteran Race Director Keira Henninger, in addition to the 50-mile race, directed by Skip Brand of Healdsburg Running Company.

The new Lake Sonoma 100K is a challenging and beautiful course that will serve as a qualifying race for the 2022 Western States Endurance Run. Race Director Keira Henniger, director of several Southern California-based races including the Sean O’Brien 100K, will bring this race to life.

“Lake Sonoma is one of America’s top ultrarunning events that started over ten years ago, demonstrating that quality is not a single act or event, but a set of deliberate actions,” said Keira. “I am excited to lead and bring my massive tribe of Southern California trail runners to the epicness of the Lake Sonoma 100K!”

The Race Directors are constantly monitoring, educating, and interacting with local, state and national healthcare officials, permit holders and Sonoma County government regarding COVID-19 protocols and safe trail running and racing. Additionally, Skip Brand and Keira Henniger are authors and founding members of the Race Director Alliance which published the “Guidelines for Trail Running Events in the COVID-19 Era.”

The Lake Sonoma Race Series will announce additional details, races in the series, and weekend schedule in the coming weeks. While the Lake Sonoma 50 is completely full, the Lake Sonoma 100K Lottery is open to the public beginning December 1st, and invitations for elite runners will be sent this month. Be sure to follow @lakesonomaraceseries and visit the Lake Sonoma Race Series website at lakesonoma50.com for all upcoming race news.

About the Lake Sonoma Race Series

Since 2008, the Lake Sonoma 50 has provided runners with a relentless and challenging race setting in the beautiful wine country of Healdsburg, the best “small town” ultra community in America. Since its inception in 2008 as a race to prepare elite runners for the Western States Endurance Run, today the Lake Sonoma Race Series offers multiple events and distances for runners of all levels, with a focus on family, fun, and community.