Frequently Asked Questions

Barring torrential rain or wildfires in the area, the run will be as shown on the Schedule page of our website: http://trailrunnersclub.com/run_schedule.  The Club runs rain or shine.  Main and Fast group arrival times at the trailhead are shown next to the run.  Click on a run to see a course description and directions to the trailhead.

If the run appears threatened by heavy rain or wildfires we will possibly cancel the run altogether or move the run to a safer location.  In these instances an e-mail message is sent to Club members and posted to our website.  We ask potential members to check the website the morning of the run or send us an e-mail to http://trailrunnersclub.com/contact 24 hours before the scheduled run requesting next day run information.

We prefer you meet us at our meeting place overlooking the Palisades High School track on the west side of Temescal Canyon Road between Pacific Coast Highway and Sunset Boulevard to check you in for the morning run. However you can meet the group at the trailhead.  When you arrive at the trailhead please tell the group leader who you are so that he or she can check you in.  By adding you to the roster you will be accounted for and we will be able to check you off the roster upon your return to the trailhead.
For further details regarding the meeting place click on Run With Us on the homepage in the brown toolbar or click here: http://trailrunnersclub.com/run_with_us.  Scroll down to the section called Meeting Location.

Current meeting times for Temescal Canyon Road are listed on the home page of this web site. 
If you prefer to meet the group at the trailhead, the meeting time at the trailhead is shown on the Schedule page under Main Start.

As a gauge to compare to your ability, the members of the Main Group average about 9-12 minutes per mile.  Fast Group members average 6-9 minutes per mile.  The Fast group starts running 45 minutes after the Main group.  The idea is that all runners will finish the run at about the same time.
We recommend that for your first run with us to run with the Main Group, particularly if you are new to running, trail running or uncertain of your pace on trails.  However, if you are an established or elite runner or certain of your pace you are welcome to run with the Fast Group.

Yes of course!  Feel free to come out and try going out for a couple of miles and turning around.  You’ll likely be surprised how far you can run, as the typically lush scenery will spur you on.  The great camaraderie we have also motivates one to run a little further than they may be accustomed to.

All of our runs are marked with white flour arrows.  Arrows are typically made with a single directional.  These are used for loop and point-to-point courses in which we do not return to any point along the run.  For keyhole courses in which there is an inner loop arrows will be marked with both directionals at the end of the loop portion to signify the “return” section of the course.

We know.  It’s difficult to explain.  We think it will make more sense when you actually see it. 

Starting early allows us to finish our runs before the heat of the day, especially during the Summer, without having to vary our schedule depending on the time of year.  The early start also means you'll finish the run with the better part of the day still remaining to spend with family and friends.  Many of our members run with the club every weekend and appreciate the minimal impact on their weekend.

Though we will not force you, we recommend that you carry water or some form of energy drink with you on the run.  If you don’t have a Camelbak or some sort of waist pack you can carry a water bottle in your hand.  The benefits of a waist pack are zipper compartments that typically give you space to keep a hat and gloves in cold weather, car keys, lip balm, energy gels, etc. in addition to freeing your hands of a water bottle.

In the Santa Monica Mountains there is a wide variety of wildlife.  You are most likely to see rabbits and deer, which of course pose no threat to humans (assumingly you aren’t interested in becoming a threat to them).  Coyotes and bobcats are also common and are afraid of humans.
There are six or seven known mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains.  Despite what you may have heard mountain lions are extremely unlikely to attack humans.  If you see a mountain lion and it does not immediately flee get up on your tiptoes, raise your arms and make yourself tall to scare it away.
Additionally during the warm summer months it is possible for rattlesnakes to be in the vicinity of the trail.  If you see a rattlesnake on the trail stop and wait for it to leave the area.  Do not try to walk or run around it or jump over it. 

Yes of course!  When you meet the group at the trailhead or Temescal Canyon meeting spot please tell the group leader that you are new and would like someone to run the course with you.

The full 12-month membership fee is $45.
You do not have to join the Club prior to your first run.  We invite you to run with us 2-3 times to see if you enjoy the Club.  After that time you can pay the membership fee and become an official Club member.

We’re glad you asked!  The Sunday morning runs are just the start of things with Trail Runners Club.  Here’s what else you can expect:

• Post-run refreshments. We understand that a busy lifestyle may prevent you from sticking around however the Club always enjoys post-run refreshments and conversation after each Sunday run.
• Discounts for attire at local area running stores and discounted registration for select running events.
• An annual Club party.
• “Special Event” runs outside of our regular Sunday runs. In the past year we have done trail runs in Riverside County, the Channel Islands, Santa Barbara, Big Sur, Yosemite National Park (for the 12th time in as many years)and San Francisco.

Read our Run Guidelines.  Then print out the Application/Waiver.  Fill out the Application/Waiver and bring it with you to your first run.

Feel free to send us a message by clicking on Contact Us on the brown toolbar on our homepage or by clicking here: Contact Form.  One of our Club members will answer your question(s) in a prompt manner.