PLEASE NOTE: The Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve is being opened for us only on this date. If you wish to pre-view the course, you must park at the main entrance on 8833 Harmony Grove Road and take the Way Up Trail to get there. Please do not try to access from Via Ambiante as it is considered trespassing and it will make it a lot harder for us to get the race approved in the future if people try to access the course this way. Thanks for helping us to keep it rural.
LOCATION
Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve, Olivenhain Dam Staging Area at 19090 Via Ambiente, Elfin Forest, CA in North County San Diego.
IMPORTANT: this area can only be accessed from Elfin Forest / Harmony Grove area. It cannot be reached from Del Dios Highway, Cielo or Rancho Santa Fe (online maps are often incorrect about this).
This not at the main trailhead and parking area for Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. It is on the backside off of Via Ambiente at Harmony Grove Road right after the bend on Elfin Forest Road (if going East) or after the Reserve (if going West). See directions below.
DIRECTIONS
FROM I-5 FREEWAY:
Take the 5N:
Leucadia Avenue Exit.
Follow it straight. It runs into Rancho Santa Fe Road.
Take a RIGHT on San Elijo Road,
RIGHT on Elfin Forest Road which ends and then curves sharply LEFT and turns into Harmony Grove Road.
Take a RIGHT on Via Ambiente. Follow signs up to the Dam and staging area.
DIRECTIONS FROM THE I-15 FREEWAY
Exit East Via Rancho Parkway
Right on Del Dios Road/West Valley Parkway (at light)
Left on Citracado
Left on Harmony Grove Village Parkway
Left on Harmony Grove Road
Left onto Via Ambiente
WEATHER/CANCELLATION
Trail events are some of the best events for anyone who loves the outdoors, but of course, they are also more sensitive to the weather. Rain can leave the reserve trails and access roads in a vulnerable state, resulting in the decision to postpone or cancel the event. Red flag weather also impacts the reserve as they may close for safety reasons. If conditions on race day require us to cancel, we will do our best to re-schedule for a later date. Registrations will not be refunded in the event of event postponement or cancellation.
2024 race proceeds benefitted the Escondido Creek Conservancy. The Conservancy focuses on the health and vitality of the Escondido Creek Watershed, which extends from above Lake Wohlford, through the City of Escondido, Harmony Grove, Elfin Forest, Olivenhain, Rancho Santa Fe, and into the San Elijo Lagoon in Solana Beach and Encinitas. Since 1991, the Conservancy has helped preserve over 7,000 acres of land.
PACKET PICKUP & SCHEDULE
Race Day Schedule
6:30 AM: On-site registration begins
7:00 AM: Festival starts
7:45 AM: 10K race begins
8:00 AM: 5K race begins
9:45 AM: Both courses close
10:10 AM: Kids Fun Run begins
10:15 AM: Raffle
10:30 AM: Award festival for 5K, 10K
Packet Pickup
Saturday December 6, 2025 from 6pm-8pm
Packet Pickup Location:
The Lost Abbey's San Elijo tasting room (The Sanctuary at 1215 San Elijo Road)
POST-RACE FESTIVAL
Enjoy the post-race festival with vendor expo, food trucks, beer garden, live band and raffle!
ORGANIZER
The Elfin Forest Harmony Grove Town Council, a 501c(3) non-profit, volunteer-run organization dedicated to the preservation of the community character, open space and natural habitat of the Elfin Forest Harmony Grove area.
