Rodeo Valley Trail Run

The Rodeo Valley Trail Run is held in the Marin Headlands near Sausalito, California. The start is near historic Fort Cronkhite and Rodeo Beach. The courses use trails and fire roads in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, featuring coastal views, the Pacific Ocean, and sights of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.

The area is rich with wildlife such as foxes, coyotes, and bobcats. Distances offered are 8K (4.8 miles), Half Marathon (13.4 miles), 30K (18.8 miles), and 50K (31 miles). The event is a cupless race, so runners must carry their own water bottle or reusable cup. Aid stations provide items like Gu Energy gels (not on GGNRA property), chews, Stroop-Waffles, trail mix, pretzels, chips, Oreo cookies, PB&J sandwiches, M&M's, boiled potatoes with salt, Coke, Ginger Ale, water, Skratch Hydration Mix, salt tablets, and seasonal fresh fruit. Parking is free in areas around the Rodeo Beach start/finish, including pullouts along Mitchell Road, the beach, the annex lot below the Marine Mammal Center, and the Smith Road Parking Lot.

The walk from the Marine Mammal Center lot is about one-third of a mile. Dogs are allowed at Rodeo Beach and on specific trails but must be leashed. Dogs may run the 8K distance only, starting at the back of the pack. Awards are given to the top three overall men and women in each distance.

All finishers receive a custom medal, and 50K finishers get a pint glass. Age-group medals are awarded three deep in various categories. Volunteers receive a free race T-shirt, food, and credit toward a future race. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.