Trail Running calendar near Santa Monica Mountains 2026-2027

Multi-distance trail races on the Gaviota Coast feature ocean and valley views on October 24 and 25, 2026. Distances range from 12 km to 100 miles and courses include aid stations and on-course EMT support.

A wilderness 13.1 mile trail run on Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park with limited entries. Registration opens June 20, 2026; proceeds support Ventura County Sheriff’s volunteer search and rescue.

A Halloween trail event at Crystal Cove State Park offering 6 hour and 4 hour timed options, organized by Sunshine Trail Racing. Registration is on UltraSignup and closes October 28.

Trail marathon and shorter distances on November 7, 2026 in Silverado, CA, routed out of Black Star Canyon after campground closures. Courses follow Black Star Canyon into Mariposa Reserve with substantial elevation gain.

Run through the historic streets of Avalon and the rugged interior trails of Catalina Island. Choose between a half marathon, 10K, or kids fun run featuring stunning Pacific Ocean views and island landmarks.

The Pacific Trails California by UTMB will take place in Lake Los Carneros from Saturday 14 November 2026 to Sunday 15 November 2026.

A 30th annual community 3.14 mile run in Ventura on November 15, 2026, held on a new course with online registration only. The event aims for zero waste and includes a Patagonia store bib discount the week after the race.

A long distance trail event in Malibu covering about 70 miles with roughly 13,000 feet of elevation gain and a 36 hour time window, with a required dry pack weight of 25 pounds and both paid and volunteer ticket options.

Terrain Race Irvine on November 21, 2026 is a mud and obstacle 5K at Oak Canyon Park featuring mud pits, walls, ropes and monkey bars, plus pre-race and finish-line festivals with food, music and finisher medals.

A Thanksgiving Day community run in Santa Clarita offering a 5K cross country course through Central Park and a 1K for children. The event benefits the Santa Clarita Track Club and awards medals to the first 600 competitors.

Trail races in the Santa Monica Mountains near Reseda include a half marathon, 10k and 5k Fun Run and Hike with fire road and singletrack terrain, finisher medals, race shirts and post-race food and beer.

A Thanksgiving morning 1K, 5K and 10K along Huntington Beach that passes the pier and Surf Museum. Participants support clean water projects with 85% of every dollar raised going toward drilling wells.

A 28k trail run in Fremont Canyon at Irvine Regional Park featuring about 3800 feet of elevation change and four aid stations. The course runs on fire roads, is cupless, and participants are asked to carry personal hydration.

Ray Miller 50/50 in Point Mugu State Park, Malibu, CA on December 5, 2026 offers 50 mile, 50K and 30K options. Registration opens April 1 and closes September 1.

A night trail race in Tarzana on December 5, 2026, with lighted routes through the Santa Monica Mountains. Offered as 5K and 10K, the event has notable elevation, aid stations, required headlamps, and post race medals and shirts.

A holiday themed Jingle Bell run in Valencia on December 6, 2026 offering 5k, 10k, 15k and a half marathon on marked out and back loops with aid stations and finisher medals.

Trail races at Crystal Cove State Park near Newport Beach include a 15K, 6K and Kids 1k on varied single track and fire roads, with shirts, finisher medals, free photography, breakfast options and a post race beer garden.

A multi-distance run at Griffith Park on December 19, 2026, held on a marked dirt horse trail with aid at the turnaround. Registration includes a finisher medal, goodie bag, free photos and results posted after the event.

Trail races on Catalina Island featuring a 50 Mile and a 50K course that start and finish in Avalon. Organized by the Avalon Lions Club to raise funds for island charities and schools, with ocean views and possible bison sightings.

A 68 miles trail event across the Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains with about 13,600 feet of climb and relay options for teams of two, three, or four. Field is limited to 200 entrants and solo runners must have completed a prior..