Even though Walnut Creek is located just 25 miles east of San Francisco, it feels like a different world from the busy city life. It’s where the high-end energy of the East Bay meets the charm of hometown California and rugged trails of Northern California. The city is defined by Mount Diablo due to its location at the western base of the 3,849-foot landmark. While downtown is famous for its luxury shopping and top-tier dining, the heart of the city remains connected to nature and open spaces. A mix of laid-back California lifestyle and metropolitan flair – “Calipolitan.” 

Mount Diablo is one of the Bay Area’s grandest landmarks, and its peak is visible from most spots around the Bay. On a clear day, the views from the top are stunning, from the Golden Gate Bridge all the way to the Sierra Nevadas. At 3,849 feet, Mount Diablo is the myth, the legend and the aspiration for cyclists.

Walnut Creek is the perfect base for a cyclist. You get the comfort of a walkable, refined city with immediate access to countless bike paths, and some of the most iconic cycling in North America. Families enjoy an eclectic collection of culture, outdoor activities, award-winning shopping, cuisine, and more. GFNY Walnut Creek delivers a serious challenge and fun in one of California's most beautiful locations.

The race headquarters, packet pickup, the start, the celebratory finish and the post-race festival are held at Shadelands SportsMall, by the Shadelands Drive side. The race week HQ is easily accessible via bike paths and has ample parking available.

The race course has four segments: 1) The powerful and exciting first 10 miles, 2) The 14 miles on the remote and quaint Morgan Territory Road, 3) The 15 miles along the base of Mount Diablo between Morgan Territory Road and Mt Diablo Scenic Blvd, and 4) The 11-mile Mount Diablo climb. The last portion of the event, segment 5, is the non-timed, non-raced 14-mile descent from the summit of Mount Diablo back to Shadelands SportsMall.

All GFNY Walnut Creek riders line up at the start corrals at SportsMall and start the race together from their allocated start corrals. From Shadelands Drive, head to Ygnacio Valley Road, which will have full traffic control for the start of the race. The race starts out by climbing out of Walnut Creek, through the cities of Concord and Clayton. You’ll pass by cattle ranches, Clayton Valley Farms and ride in the Goethals Canyon, with Keller Ridge on your left and North Peak on your right.

You’ll make a right onto Morgan Territory Road, which is a technical part of the course. The course will take you past cattle ranches and stables, over several narrow bridges, along a stream, and through incredible dense nature. Over these highly enjoyable 14 miles, you will take on a constantly undulating, twisty curvy road with several steep pitch sections of 10-15%. The area is known for its remote atmosphere, oak woodlands, and high biodiversity, including over 90 species of wildflowers. This section will give you a preview of climbing up Mt Diablo, taking you up to 2127ft altitude. From the crest, you will have a 5-mile technical descent that will require your maximum attention and energy to navigate safely. The Morgan South section, the descent, is busier than the climb due to cattle ranches, stables, farms, homes and grand estates and their visitors and residents.

At the end of the Morgan South descent, you’ll enjoy a slightly undulating 15-mile section, which has a total 1000ft of elevation gain, through more open terrain. The intersections are monitored by police to get you through the course safely, and enjoy the car-free experience by staying in the dedicated bike lane. This area at the base of Mount Diablo has more car traffic due to residential communities, country clubs and Blackhawk Plaza shopping mall.

After you make a right onto Mt Diablo Scenic Blvd, you begin the jaw-dropping 11-mile climb to the summit of Mount Diablo with 3300ft of elevation gain, an average of 5.3% and a max incline of 18%. The climb will be closed to the public, for the exclusive use for GFNY Walnut Creek riders. Note that you must reach the bottom of the climb by 10:00am in order to be allowed to climb Mt Diablo. The climb starts at the Athenian school. At the Junction Ranger Station (there are restrooms there), make a right to continue the climb to the summit. As you climb higher and higher, the views become more and more expansive and stunning at each turn. The last 0.2 miles are a real kicker, with an 8.5% average and 13% maximum.

The mountain-top finish of GFNY Walnut Creek will feel so good! The timing mat is at the entrance to the summit parking lot. The chip timing and the race ends there. You’ll have a chance to refill your bottle, refuel with a snack and take in the grand view after you conquered The Devil. As soon as you’re ready, make your way down, it’s a 14-mile continuous descent back to Walnut Creek, to the celebratory finish line at Shadelands SportsMall. At the start of the descent, there is two-way traffic, with riders climbing to the finish line as you descend, so stay alert and stay to your right. When you reach the Junction Ranger Station, continue straight down, and from there it’s only descending riders. Descend with caution, the race ended at the top, and there is no more timing. Focus on a safe descent and enjoy the special experience of a fully closed Mount Diablo as part of your GFNY experience. Follow the bike path and signs to Shadelands SportsMall. Be sure to follow normal traffic laws at stop signs and traffic lights, none of this section is being timed, it is not part of the race route.

Back at the SportsMall, cheer as you cross the Celebratory Finish Line, and enjoy the festivities with your friends and family: finisher medals, finisher photos, music, a post-race meal, relaxation, the awards ceremony. 

The athletes who do not make the 10:00am cutoff at the base of the Mount Diablo climb will be routed via bike paths back to Shadelands Sports Mall and will count as Medium Route finishers. Be sure to follow normal traffic patterns like stop signs and traffic lights, none of this section is being timed, it is not part of the race route. Your total time from the start until Athenian School will be listed alphabetically in the Medium Route results. 

GFNY Walnut Creek also offers a Mount Diablo climb-only route option. You will start along with all GFNY Walnut Creek riders from SportsMall, where your timing chip will get activated. From there, follow signs to travel via bike paths to the South Gate and climb Mount Diablo via the same ascent as the whole race field, from Mt Diablo Scenic Blvd and the Athenian School to the Summit. You’ll then follow the same descent via the North Gate back down to SportsMall and the Celebratory Finish Line. Your total time from the climb start at the Athenian School until the Summit will be listed alphabetically in the Medium Route results.

LONG COURSE IS A COMPETITION: Only the finishers of the long course are eligible for category rankings and Overall and Podium awards. If you want to race and be ranked in your category, you must complete the long course. Top 10% of finishers in each age group earn a spot in the Qualifier Corral at every GFNY World event.

MEDIUM COURSE IS NOT A COMPETITION: The riders of the medium course will be provided their start-to-finish time, but will not be ranked by finish time. All finish times will be listed in alphabetical order.