Estimating Your Finish Time

One of the requirements of registering for the Ridge Run is estimating your finish time.

Why you ask? Your estimated finish time helps determine your starting wave. Breaking up the start into 5 different groups or waves reduces congestion of sending 300 runners up a narrow trail.

There are a few different ways to get an estimate of how long it will take you to finish the race.

Method 1 – Your Last Ridge Run Time

If you have done the Ridge Run in the recent past, just use your last finish time for your estimated time.

If you have never have done the Ridge Run before or if it has been a long time since your last, there are a couple other ways to get a ballpark estimate of your finish time.

Method 2 – A Third Longer than Recent Marathon Time

If you have done a marathon recently, just take your marathon time and increase it by a third.

For example: If you are in 4 hour marathon shape then a realistic Ridge Run time would be 4 X 1.33 = 5.33, 5:20:00 (5 hours 20 minutes)

Method 3 – A Third Longer than Estimated Marathon Time

If you have not done a marathon recently, but are trained for a marathon, you can estimate your marathon time from a recent 5K race or time trial. Add 1 minute to your 5K pace for your marathon pace.

For example: if your 5K pace is 7 minutes per mile (21:40 5K time) your marathon pace would be 8 minutes per mile. This would yield a 3:30:00 (3 hours 30 minutes) marathon time. Using Method 2, your estimated Ridge Run time is 3.5 X 1.33 = 4.7, 4:42:00 (4 hours 42 minutes).

Method 4 – Double Your M to Baldy Round Trip Time

If you have been training by running from the M trailhead up to the summit of Mount Baldy and then back down, you can double your round trip Baldy time to get an estimate of your Ridge Run time.

For example: if you can get up baldy in 1:15:00 (1 hour 15 minutes) and then back down in 45:00 (45 minutes) for a round trip time of 2:00:00 your estimated Ridge Run time would be 2 X 2 = 4, 4:00:00 (4 hours).

Adjustments – Compensating for Your Current Condition  

If you are scared of heights, intimidated running down steep rocky terrain, slow down more than most climbing up steep terrain, or not adequately trained, then you may want to add some extra time to your estimate. Consider adding a half hour to an extra hour if you fall into these categories.