Monterey Ultra

Monterey Ultra 50 Miler : February 7, 2026, Fort Ord National Monument / Laguna Seca Recreation Area

The Monterey Ultra is a single 50-mile trail race on Fort Ord National Monument and the Laguna Seca Recreation Area. The course is made of a 35-mile loop plus a 15-mile loop and is listed as 50.7 miles with 7,080 ft of elevation gain. The route uses moderately technical dirt trails and non-technical fire roads, and includes sections of deep sand, rocky and rooty climbs, single-track, and wide fire road. The event has a capacity of 150 runners and a 14.5 hour time limit. Timing and live aid station tracking are provided by timing partners; there is a small fee for the live tracking feature.

Course logistics, aid, and services

Courses are marked with colored ribbon, laminated signs, and flour arrows at complex turns. Runners are asked to carry a headlamp and may leave headlamps at aid stations when no longer needed. Drop bags are available at Skyline Aid Station (Mile 17.1 and again Mile 39.1) and Laguna Seca Aid Station (Mile 35.9); all drop bags must be dropped at the designated location before the race day start. Crew access is possible to most aid stations, but only Laguna Seca and Toro Creek are vehicle-accessible without long hikes. Pacers may join runners at the Laguna Seca aid station. Aid stations are cupless; runners must carry their own bottle or reusable cup (HydraPak cups available for purchase). Typical aid station items include gels, chews, stroopwafels, sandwiches, soda, Skratch Hydration, fruit, and basic first aid. All 50M finishers receive a custom medal and hat; top finishers and age-group placings receive trophies or medals. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.