When is the Fort Ord 50 in 2026?

Sunday, August 30, 2026 at Fort Ord National Monument in Monterey County, California. Confirm the exact start time, kit pickup schedule and any pre-race briefing on repackracing.com/fort-ord-50 as the date approaches.

Where is the Fort Ord 50 held?

Fort Ord National Monument in Monterey County, California — a 14,650-acre former US Army training reservation that closed in 1994 and is now BLM-managed public land, adjacent to Fort Ord Dunes State Park. The race base is near Marina / Seaside / Salinas, about 2 hours south of San Francisco Bay Area and 8 hours north of Los Angeles.

How long is the Fort Ord 50 and how is it structured?

The 2026 course is 48 miles (≈ 77 km) with ~5,412 ft (1,650 m) of cumulative climbing, raced as 4 laps of a 12-mile / 1,353 ft loop. The lap format means you pass the start/finish area 3 times mid-race (end of laps 1, 2, 3) and finish at lap 4 — aid-station math is simpler than a point-to-point but pacing discipline is harder because it is tempting to overspend on lap 2.

How difficult is the Fort Ord 50?

It is one of the most storied MTB endurance events on the California calendar. 48 miles of punchy singletrack + fire road repeated as 4 laps, coastal heat and marine-layer weather swings, deep-sand sections, and 4–7 hour finish times make it a genuine endurance test. Trained amateurs prepare for months and treat laps 3–4 as the deciding section.

What terrain should I expect on each lap?

Each 12-mile / 1,353 ft loop combines iconic Fort Ord singletrack (chaparral-fringed ridge trails, oak-woodland descents), sandy coastal fire roads and short technical descents. Some sections have deep sand that drains power and punishes narrow tires. The overall texture is rolling and punchy rather than sustained-climb — and you ride it 4 times.

How many carbs per hour should I target?

70–90 g/hr for most trained riders, weighted toward liquid and gel because you cannot safely chew in the technical singletrack sections. Trained guts can push toward 100 g/hr on longer efforts.

How much should I drink?

500–1000 ml/hr adjusted for the coastal-heat profile. Cool marine-layer mornings mask sweat losses — drink to the clock, not to thirst. A pre-race sweat test is the only reliable way to personalize your target.

How many aid stations are there?

Aid stations are placed by course design and vary by year. Mid-pack riders should plan for 60–90 minute gaps between aid points on some sections. Confirm the exact 2026 aid layout in the Repack Racing pre-race athlete communications.

What categories does Fort Ord 50 offer?

The Fort Ord 50 typically runs Pro Elite (M/F), age-group solo categories, and sometimes duo / e-bike options as part of the California MTB Endurance Series structure. Confirm the current-year category list on repackracing.com/fort-ord-50 or through the Webscorer registration page.

How do I register for Fort Ord 50 2026?

Registration is handled through the California MTB Endurance Series page on Webscorer, linked from repackracing.com/fort-ord-50. Confirm current pricing, tiers and registration deadlines on the official site. First-lot pricing is typically discounted; register early to save.

What is a good Fort Ord 50 training plan?

A realistic Fort Ord 50 training plan runs 12–16 weeks and hits three targets in parallel: aerobic volume (peak 10–14 hours/week for 8–12 weeks), threshold work (weekly 2× 20 min at 90–100% FTP), and repeated punchy-climb intervals (weekly 6–8× 3–5 min at VO₂ on 5–10% gradients that mimic Fort Ord's rolling terrain). Long rides progress toward 4–6 hours with 3,500–5,000 ft of climbing on similar rolling singletrack terrain. A 2-week taper with race-effort openers finishes the block.

How should I prepare for the coastal heat and marine layer?

Run 10–14 heat-acclimatization sessions (sauna 20–30 min post-easy-ride, or indoor trainer in a warm room 45–60 min at moderate effort) in the 6 weeks pre-race. Practice race-morning breakfasts before dawn simulations to rehearse the marine-layer start conditions. Test sodium and fluid targets on 4+ hour training rides in similar coastal-heat conditions.

Where can I download the Fort Ord 50 course map or GPX file?

The official 2026 route (single 12-mile loop, raced 4× as laps) is on RideWithGPS at ridewithgps.com/routes/56400714, and the GPX is available for direct download at fuelqpro.ai/gpx/2026-fort-ord-50.gpx. Course videos ('Full Course' and 'Trail 50 Descent') are on repackracing.com/fort-ord-50. Load the GPX into your head unit (Garmin, Wahoo) or sync the RideWithGPS route directly — you will ride the same loop 4 times, so once your device knows the route, laps 2–4 are turn-by-turn familiar.

Can I defer my Fort Ord 50 entry?

Deferral, transfer and refund policies are set year-by-year by Repack Racing / the California MTB Endurance Series. Historically a partial refund window closes 30–60 days pre-event and limited transfers may be available for documented medical reasons. Always confirm the current-year policy in the Webscorer registration terms — informal or late-request deferrals are not granted.

Do I need to qualify or enter a lottery for Fort Ord 50?

No. The Fort Ord 50 is open registration — there is no lottery, no qualifier race series, and no prior-finish requirement to enter. Register directly through Webscorer subject only to spot availability. First-lot / early-bird pricing typically saves money — register early.

Is there a partner benefit for Fort Ord 50 athletes?

Yes. Repack Racing partners with FuelQ Pro so the first 20 eligible registered athletes can claim a sponsored FuelQ Pro Race Pack (retail USD 39, athlete pays USD 0). Access opens August 5, 2026. Details, the claim form and the benefit code entry are on the dedicated FuelQ Pro partner landing at fuelqpro.ai/race-fueling-plan/fort-ord-50.

Fort Ord 50 Race-Day Checklist — Fueling, Kit & Execution

Fort Ord 50 race-day checklist

A minimal execution checklist. Every line should be rehearsed in training, not tried for the first time on race day.

Bottles pre-mixed with target carbohydrate and sodium concentration
Backup calories (gels or chews) equal to 30–50% of planned intake
Caffeine doses pre-portioned and timed
Drop bag / aid plan with bottle swaps written down
Pre-race breakfast rehearsed in training
Layering plan for start-line temperature
Sunscreen, chamois cream and any GI insurance (e.g., anti-nausea)
Post-race recovery calories staged at the finish

Packing list

Bike + spares

Race bike (fully serviced 2 weeks out)
Spare wheelset if possible
Two large bottle cages
Top-tube feed bag
Computer + fresh mount
Route file synced

Nutrition (Fort Ord 50 + 30% buffer)

Gels / chews / drink mix for 8 hours + 30% buffer
2–3 caffeine doses
Two solid items (rice cakes, bars)
Pre-race breakfast supplies
Post-race recovery drink + real meal

Hydration

Two large bottles + spares
Concentrated drink mix rehearsed in training
Electrolyte tabs for backup
51–68 fl oz hydration pack

Clothing (marine-layer swing)

Short-sleeve jersey + bibs
Arm warmers + light vest for marine-layer start
Full-finger or ¾ gloves
Cap under helmet
Sunglasses (clear + tinted lenses)
Warm layer for finish / evening

Sun + weather gear

Sunscreen SPF 50+ (large bottle, extra for high UV on exposed ridges)
Lip balm with SPF
Packable rain shell for rare storm risk

Tools + spares

2× CO₂ + inflator
Mini pump
Tire plug kit (extra plugs for sand + rock)
Spare tube
Tire lever
Multi-tool with chain breaker
Chain quick link
Spare derailleur hanger
Chain lube

Documents + logistics

Pre-race athlete communications printout
Race number + timing chip
Photo ID
Emergency contact taped inside jersey pocket
Written stop plan taped to top tube

Download the free printable race-day fueling checklist for Fort Ord 50

A practical race-week checklist: carbs, hydration, sodium, caffeine and race-day supplies — print it or keep it on your phone.

Build My Personalized Fort Ord 50 Fueling Plan

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Every athlete is different. FTP, finish time, body weight, sweat rate, weather, nutrition preferences and race goals all change what you should eat and drink.

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A Race Fueling Plan gives you a personalized strategy for this event. The free checklist helps you prepare the basics first: race-week setup, 48-hour prep, race morning, hydration, sodium, caffeine, aid stations, and backup calories.

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Fort Ord 50 — Race-Day Checklist

Fort Ord 50 race-day checklist