For those looking to begin trail racing, the ZombieRunner Quarry Lakes Run Half Marathon in Fremont, California is a great start. The course appeases both trail and run runners alike — roughly 64 percent of the race is held on crushed rock, while the remaining 36 percent is run on pavement.
The course does feature a number of loops and turns, but the elevation change is very minimal. Runners should expect a very fast trail race.
The race begins at the Quarry Lakes Regional Recreational area and runners will follow the Alameda Creek Trail up to the mouth of the Niles Canyon. Racers will begin along the perimeter of the lake and take the course heading west. Runners will pass Shinn Pond and travel along the Alameda Creek until reaching Old Canyon Road.