Encinitas, CA – The Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve, operated by Olivenhain Municipal Water District and owned by the San Diego County Water Authority, will host the Racers and Chasers Mountain Bike Race on Saturday, January 16, 2010.

Over 250 riders are expected to tackle the 5.5-mile course in the second race of a four race series sponsored by the Racers and Chasers Mountain Biking Club. 

The beginner and intermediate races will start at 9:00 a.m., with the advanced race beginning at 11:00 a.m.  Beginners will do one lap, intermediates will complete two laps, and advanced riders will do three laps.

The race will give riders of all skill levels a chance to develop and fine tune their mountain biking skills or just ride for fun.  The course is designed for faster riders to conquer in 30 minutes or less per lap, and consists mainly of a single dirt track with adequate passing and plenty of fire roads.  

The west side of the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve will be closed to non-race users from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the day of the race for safety.  The remainder of the park will be open all day for non-race users.

The registration fee is $40, which includes a $5 donation to The Escondido Creek Conservancy’s fund for the Elfin Forest Interpretive Center Honoring Susan J. Varty.

For more information on the race, please visit www.racersandchasers.com. 

Located at 8833 Harmony Grove Road in the community of Elfin Forest, the Reserve provides a wealth of opportunities for recreational use, educational research and environmental appreciation. The 784-acre open space park and recreational area was developed by OMWD in partnership with the San Diego County Water Authority and the U.S. Department of the Interior-Bureau of Land Management. Park rangers conduct guided group tours and student exploration programs to help promote environmental awareness and preservation of local watersheds.  All wildlife and natural resources at the Reserve are fully protected so that future generations may also enjoy these wonders. For more information or to arrange a ranger-led tour of the Reserve, call 760-632-4212. 

Olivenhain Municipal Water District is a public agency providing water, wastewater services, recycled water, hydroelectricity and operation of the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. Organized in 1959, OMWD has been serving water to its customers since 1961. OMWD currently includes over 48 square miles, and serves a population of approximately 68,000 residents. OMWD includes portions of the cities of Encinitas, Carlsbad, San Diego, Solana Beach, and San Marcos, as well as the communities of Olivenhain, Leucadia, Elfin Forest, Rancho Santa Fe, Fairbanks Ranch, Santa Fe Valley and 4S Ranch.