Golden Gate Headlands Marathon
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About the race
The Golden Gate Headlands event offers trail races in the Marin Headlands at the Marin Headlands Visitor Center, Fort Barry in Mill Valley. Distances available include:
- Marathon
- Half Marathon
- 10K
The route uses a combination of single track hiking trails and fire roads. Runners reach summits that provide views of the San Francisco Bay to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, with visible vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge and coastal shoreline. Sections of the course pass through areas with wildflowers and rolling green hills.
The course is marked with orange ribbon. Marathon participants complete the half marathon loop twice and must check in at the finish before starting the second loop. There is a course cut off time of six hours. Aid station placement varies by distance: no aid stations on the 10K, one aid station for the half marathon at mile 6, and aid stations for the marathon at miles 6, 13, and 19. Runners are advised to carry water. Finishers receive food and drink at the finish area. T shirts are provided to participants; finisher medals are awarded to full and half marathon finishers and personalized award ribbons are mailed to top three finishers by gender in each age group.
Event capacity is limited to 400 participants. Headphones and other audio devices are not allowed on course sections with narrow trails and drop offs. Parking is at Smith Road toward Rodeo Beach with attendants directing vehicles; the tunnel on the access route is one way so extra travel time may be needed. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
