Trail Running Calendar California 2025-2026

Sycamore Canyon is a trail running event held at the scenic Goodman Ranch Sycamore Canyon Preserve near Poway, California, just east of San Diego. The race offers multiple distances including a 100K (solo or 4-person relay), 50K (solo or 4-person relay), and a half marathon. The course is a loop thr..

The Way Too Cool 50K is a renowned annual trail running event held in Cool, California, featuring a challenging 50-kilometer course with rolling hills, creek crossings, and stunning views. Celebrating its 36th edition in 2026, the race attracts both veteran and novice ultra-runners seeking a scenic..

The Nine Trails 35 Mile Endurance Run is a trail running event held in Santa Barbara, California. It offers two distance options: a challenging 35-mile course and a shorter 17-mile route. The event is part of a series of trail runs organized by AllWeDoIsRun, known for creating races on the scenic Ca..

The Marin Ultra Challenge is a premier long-distance trail race held in Marin County, California, featuring 50K and 50 Mile distances. The course offers about 11,000 feet of elevation gain for the 50 Mile race, traversing scenic and challenging terrain including Rodeo Beach, Marin Headlands, Mt. Tam..

The Santa Barbara Nine Trails is a trail running event held in Santa Barbara, California. It offers two race distances: 35 miles and 17 miles, catering to a range of trail runners. The event is part of the AllWeDoIsRun series, which organizes trail running events along the beautiful California Centr..

Old West Trail Runs, held in the scenic Anza Borrego Desert State Park near Julian, California, offers 50K, marathon, and half marathon distances. The event features runner-friendly courses with moderate elevation gains—about 2,555 feet for the 50K and marathon, and 670 feet for the half marathon—wi..

The Catalina Island Marathon, held annually in Avalon, California, is California’s oldest trail marathon and the State Off-Road Marathon Championship. The 48th edition in 2026 offers marathon (26.2 miles), 10K, 5K, and kids' runs, along with a Triple Crown Challenge combining multiple events. The co..

The Ruck a Chuck 50K is a trail running event held in Foresthill, California, set amidst the scenic Sierra Nevada foothills. This 50-kilometer race features a challenging out-and-back course starting at Drivers Flat and turning around at Dardanelles Creek. A key highlight is its route along sections..

The Pirate's Cove 6/12/24 Hour Run/Hike is a timed endurance event held at Lake Cuyamaca, California. Participants can choose to run or hike for 6, 12, or 24 hours on a scenic course centered around the lake area. The event takes place at Chamber's Park Campground, which serves as race headquarters..

The Napa Valley Trail Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K is an annual trail running event held at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park in Saint Helena, California. Now in its 34th year, the race features challenging courses with hills, streams, and rocky single-track trails, offering a scenic and rewarding ex..

The Valencia Trail Race, held in Valencia, California, offers a challenging and scenic trail running experience with three distance options: 10K, half marathon, and 50K ultra. Set against the backdrop of Southern California's hills and mountains near state park boundaries, the course features single..

Rattlesnake Dick is a trail running event held in Cool, California, offering 50K, 25K, and 10K distances. The courses feature significant elevation gains—4,700 feet for the 50K, 2,100 feet for the 25K, and 1,060 feet for the 10K—providing a challenging yet scenic experience. The race starts and fini..

The Knickerbocker Canyon Trail Run, hosted by Inside Trail Racing, takes place in Auburn, California, at the American River Overlook Park. Scheduled for March 28, 2026, the event offers four distances: 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and 35K. Runners traverse the historic Western States trail, including cha..

The Coast to Crest 10K and 5K is an annual trail race held in Del Mar, California, featuring a very flat and fast course ideal for runners seeking personal records. The out-and-back routes are 100% dirt trail, well-groomed, and offer spectacular wide-open lagoon views with a downhill finish. Partici..

The Western Pacific Marathon event, held at Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area in Fremont, California, offers runners a choice of half marathon, 10K, and 5K distances. The course is mostly flat, following the historic Western Pacific Trail, which was originally used in the 1800s to transport grav..

The Bad Ass Backyard Ultra (B.A.B.U.) is an endurance running event held at Dry Creek Parkway in Rio Linda, California, near Sacramento. Participants run a 4.16-mile loop every hour, starting on the hour, with each loop called a "yard." Runners must be ready to start each new loop on time or face el..

The Golden Gate Headlands Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K is an annual trail running event held in the scenic Marin Headlands near Mill Valley, California. Participants start and finish at the Historic Gunnery Range in Rodeo Valley, running on a course that combines single-track hiking trails and f..

The Silver Moon Race: Kings River is an endurance running event held in Reedley, California, featuring scenic lap courses through farms, vineyards, fruit orchards, oak tree canopies, and along the Kings River. Runners can choose from distances including a 12K, or timed challenges of 6, 12, or 24 hou..

The American River Endurance Run is a renowned ultramarathon held in Northern California, featuring a 50-mile race from Folsom to Auburn along the scenic American River Parkway. It is the second largest 50-mile race in the U.S., attracting both experienced ultrarunners and newcomers. The event also..

The Diablo Trails Challenge is a trail running event held at 1700 Castle Rock Road, Walnut Creek, California. It offers multiple race distances including a 50K ultra, half marathon, 10K, and 5K, catering to both beginners and experienced ultra-runners. The event celebrates and supports the preservat..