The John Lawson Tamalpa Challenge
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Cross Country: Tamalpa Challenge
This event is part of the PA-USATF Cross-Country race series and is held with support from Friends of China Camp. The 2026 races are scheduled for October 11, 2026, and include three separate races for Women, Masters Men, and Open Men. Entries may fill up and there is no race-day registration; online registration opens June 1 and paper entry by mail is available using the published entry form. Entry fees are $30 if postmarked by October 1 and $40 thereafter.
The races take place in China Camp State Park near San Rafael. The start is on a fire road off North San Pedro Road and the finish is in the picnic area parking lot at Miwok Meadows. Race-day bib pick-up is located about 1/4 mile up the fire road at the Miwok Meadows picnic area.
Course distance is approximately 4.25 miles. Most of the route is rolling single-track trail with sections of fire road and about 1/4 mile on flat road. Due to a trail closure, the course now goes into the edge of the campground and returns across a bridge into the campground parking lot.
Parking along North San Pedro Road is limited; participants are asked to carpool and to park off the pavement to avoid ticketing. Volunteer opportunities are organized through the event's volunteer sign-up process. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
