Wild Runners x Chill Krew Training Run

Wild Runners and Chill Krew are teaming up for the third year to bring Sacramento’s running community together for a supported fall training run along the American River Parkway and Lake Natoma. Whether you’re training for Sacramento’s premier marathon, getting in your weekend long run, or simply want to share some miles with the community, come run with us!

Choose the distance that works for your training:

• 10K (6.2 miles)
• Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
• 18+ Miles

Plus, Nike will be joining us! Runners will have the opportunity to try out Nike super shoes during the training run. A great chance to test them over some miles before race day.

This is a training run, not a race. There are no timing chips, awards, or pressure to hit a particular pace. The goal is simple: get your miles in, support one another, and have some fun along the way.

We’ll kick things off with a group warm-up before sending runners out by distance. Along the route, runners will have access to three supported aid stations with hydration and fuel. When you finish, stick around for food, refreshments, and time to hang out with the running community.

• Start & Finish: Wild Runners, 10149 Fair Oaks Blvd
• 6:30 - 7:00 AM | Check In: Check in at Wild Runners at 10149 Fair Oaks Blvd and try on Nike demo shoes
• 7:00 AM | Group Warm-Up: Walk over to Fair Oaks Plaza Park for a group warm-up and final run instructions.
• 7:15 AM | Runners Begin: We’ll release runners in waves based on distance so that our long-distance runners have plenty of time on the course.

Come for 6 miles, 13 miles, or the full 18+. We’re getting the miles in together.

Parking

Please allow extra time to park and make your way to Fair Oaks Plaza Park before the 7:00 AM warm-up. Parking in the immediate Fair Oaks Village area is limited. Village Park has two-hour parking limits, so we recommend using longer-term parking options for the training run. Additional parking is available:

• Stardust / Lifetime Gym parking lot near Winding Way and Sunrise Blvd., by Taco Bell
• Street parking along Fair Oaks Blvd. and surrounding streets, where permitted
• Please pay attention to posted parking restrictions and allow enough time to walk to Fair Oaks Plaza Park.  

Aid Stations + Runner Support

We’ll have three supported aid stations along the route to help keep you fueled and hydrated.

• Aid Station 1: Nimbus Fish Hatchery: Located approximately 3.1 miles from the start. 18-mile runners will pass this aid station again on their return trip.10K runners will turnaround at this point. 
• Aid Station 2: Willow Creek Recreation Area: Located approximately 5.8 miles into the route.
• Aid Station 3: Karen’s Bakery:  Located approximately 8.2 miles into the 18-mile route.

Aid stations will include:

• Water
• Electrolytes
• Bananas and clementines
• Additional snacks and fuel

Please bring your own refillable bottle or hydration system. This helps us reduce waste while making it easier for you to hydrate throughout your run. When you finish, stick around! We’ll have post-run food and refreshments waiting at the finish so you can refuel, recover, and hang out with the community. 

The Route

• The training run follows the American River Parkway and Lake Natoma, starting and finishing in Fair Oaks.
• The full 18-mile route travels from Fair Oaks toward Nimbus Fish Hatchery, continues along Lake Natoma toward Willow Creek Recreation Area and Karen’s Bakery, and then returns to Fair Oaks.
• 10K and Half Marathon runners will follow portions of the same route with earlier turnaround points.
• The route is primarily on the American River Parkway and surrounding multi-use trails. Please remember that the parkway remains open to the public during our run.

Parkway Etiquette

Help us keep the parkway safe and enjoyable for everyone:

• Stay to the left and avoid running more than two abreast.
• Be aware of cyclists, walkers, and other trail users.
• Use extra caution around turns and intersections.
• Dispose of wrappers and trash at aid stations or designated bins.
• Follow volunteer and route signage at turnaround points.

Supporting the Training Run

For the past two years, we have loved bringing our running community together for this annual training run. As we head into year three, we're introducing a small registration fee to help offset the costs of putting on a safe, supported run and make it possible for us to continue offering this event each year.

Your registration helps support the behind-the-scenes costs of the run, including event logistics, hydration and fuel, post-run food and refreshments, and other runner support. Wild Runners is also helping sponsor our aid stations, providing additional support to keep runners fueled and hydrated along the way.

Our goal isn't to turn this into a race. It's still the same community training run: a chance to get your miles in, meet other runners, and support one another along the way. Your registration simply helps us continue creating that experience for the community.