HEADLANDS50K

Coastal climbs. Forest trails.
Tamalpa Headlands 50K.

Get to know the course

August 17, 2027 · Proposed race day — to be confirmed

Entry information

THE RACEA MARIN ORIGINAL

A Northern
California
classic.

Trail running in Marin County.

Founded in 1995, Headlands brings runners to the trails of Marin and Mount Tamalpais. The day ends where it begins: back at Santos Meadow, with the finish-line party.

The story of the race

PRESENTED BY Arc'teryx

Runner descending a coastal hillside — VISUAL DIRECTION · PLACEHOLDER PHOTOGRAPHY
Lucas Canino / Unsplash · Not the Headlands course

THE COURSECOAST → RIDGE → FOREST → FINISH

The course.

Coastal. Miwok. Matt Davis. Dipsea.
A demanding loop through some of Marin’s best-known trails.

31.3mi

50K COURSE DISTANCE

6,600ft

APPROX. ELEVATION GAIN

10hrs

PUBLISHED FINISH CUTOFF

Open hillside trail above the Pacific — Open hills above the Pacific

The wooden ladder at Steep Ravine — The ladder at Steep Ravine

Switchbacks descending to Santos Meadow — Final switchbacks to Santos Meadow

View course map ↗Download GPX ↓Aid stations & cutoffs ↗

Course figures and downloads reflect the published 2026 route. Next-edition details will be confirmed.

RUNNER INFORMATIONPLANNING YOUR RACE

Race
information.

Travel, check-in, aid stations,
and race rules.

2026 information below is a planning reference, not a confirmed 2027 schedule.

Full race information

Start, finish & travel

Santos Meadow, 2704 Muir Woods Road, Mill Valley, California. Carpooling is strongly encouraged; follow the race team’s parking guidance.

Directions, parking & nearby accommodation

Bib pickup & check-in

Published 2026 schedule: Friday pickup at San Francisco Running Company, 3–6pm. Race-morning check-in at Santos Meadow, 6–6:45am; start at 7:30am.

Aid stations & what to carry

This is a cup-free race. Bring a reusable cup, bottles, or hydration pack. Aid stations provide drinks and food; hiking poles are permitted.

Plan your aid-station stops

Drop bags, crews & trail rules

For 2026, drop bags are allowed at Cardiac, but crew assistance is not. Crew access is permitted at Rodeo Beach and Tennessee Valley. Stay on the course and share the trails respectfully.

Read all crew restrictions and rules

Volunteer & get involved

Want to be part of the day from the other side of the aid-station table? See the official race page for volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer information

HEADLANDS / ON FILM2025 LIVESTREAM · LET’S WANDER PRODUCTIONS