Santa Cruz
Trail Running Calendar near Santa Cruz 2026-2027
Explore the top trail runs near Santa Cruz for 2026-2027! We've gathered 30 exciting trail runs in the area. Check out our detailed list below to find your next local trail run.
September 2026
Trail marathon, half marathon and 5 Mile at Andrew Molera State Park on Old Coast Road, with coastal views, marked aid stations, and a 300 participant limit.
Trail races at Sanborn County Park on Sep 27, 2026 through shaded redwood forest with steep climbs and flowy singletrack.
October 2026
Run by the Sea at Wilder Ranch State Park on October 4, 2026 features a half marathon, 12K and 4K on mostly flat coastal bluff trails.
A trail race at Almaden Quicksilver County Park with distances from 5K to 50K. Courses are out-and-back, marked with colored ribbons, include aid stations and toilets, and the longer races reach Bald Mountain and Mt. Umunhum.
Family-friendly themed run in Pebble Beach on October 24, 2026 with 10K, 5K and 2K options plus an emergency preparedness fair.
November 2026
A November trail event at Rancho Cañada del Oro offering distances from 5K to 50K, with steep climbs, single track and two main aid stations. Runners should carry water and be aware of exposed terrain and rattlesnakes.
Navigate the redwood forests and meadows of Santa Cruz in this 2 or 4 hour map based adventure scramble. Explore the wilds in teams of up to five while hunting for 20 unique checkpoints.
December 2026
Trail races from a kids run to a 50K at Calero County Park in San Jose with varied single track, multiple aid stations, free parking, and drop bag support for the 50K.
Trail races through redwood groves at Sanborn Regional Park on December 12, 2026, offering 5K, 10K and half marathon distances with chip timing and medals.
January 2027
A multi-distance trail event at Almaden Quicksilver County Park on January 3, 2026 offering marked dirt-road courses from a kids run up to a 50K with aid stations.
February 2027
Mt. Umunhum Trail Conquest (Winter) is a multi-distance trail event at Almaden Quicksilver County Park offering races from a kids run to a 50K with marked out-and-back courses, multiple aid stations, and summit sections to Bald Mountain or Mt. Umunhu..
Experience the coastal landscape of Fort Ord National Monument with a range of trail races from 10 km to 50 km hosted at the iconic Laguna Seca Recreation Area.
Experience the diverse terrain of Fort Ord National Monument on a 50 mile trail course featuring single track, fire roads, and scenic coastal views in Monterey.
March 2027
Half Marathon from Almaden Quicksilver Park to the summit of Mt. Umunhum, point to point with aid stations, toilets, marked sections, and a 4,767 foot climb.