Race Description
Our premier Marin County long distance trail race, the MUC delivers ample hills and sweeping descents. This year marks the 11th edition of this tour of some of Marin’s best trails. Meticulous effort went into the design of each course for the MUC; both distances are physically demanding (the 50 Mile has just about 11,000 feet of elevation gain) and exceptionally beautiful. The journey begins at the black sand of Rodeo Beach, then traverses the Marin Headlands, Stinson-facing Mt. Tamalpais and Muir Woods, exhibiting a range of terrain, from exposed fire-roads with incredible coastal and inland views to tight, technical single-track with redwood canopies. There is very little trail overlap, and Jim Vernon, from The Endurables and Hydrapak, spent hours and weekends developing these spectacular custom courses–we are super excited to show it off. You’ll quickly realize why Marin County has become the ultimate trail runner’s destination.
NOTE: Due to entry limitations by the GGNRA we will only be able to host a 50K and 50 Mile at the 2024 MUC.
Race Information
Location: Marin Headlands, Muir Woods & Mt. Tamalpais State Park Date: Saturday, March 9, 2024 Events: 50K & 50 Mile Bib & Shirt Pickup: 5:00 AM - 7:00 AM | Start Times (Subject to Change at the parks discretion): | 50 Mile | March 9 @ 6:00 AM | | 50K | March 9 @ 7:00 AM |
| |
Time Limit: There is a 14.5 hour time limit for the 50 Mile race. There is a 10 hour time limit for the 50K. All runners must be off the course by 8:30 PM
Parking: Free parking is available in the surrounding areas to the Start/Finish at Rodeo Beach. Runners may utilize the pullouts along Mitchell Road, along the beach, the annex lot below the Marine Mammal Center, and the Smith Road Parking Lot (Gerbode Valley Trailhead) along Bunker Road. The walk from the Marine Mammal Center lot to the Start/Finish is about 1/3 mile. The later you arrive the further you may have to walk to the Start/Finish, so please plan your arrival time accordingly.
Race Capacity: The Marin Ultra Challenge will have a capacity of 400 runners, across all distances.
Volunteer
Without the support of enthusiastic and caring volunteers producing our races would not be possible. Volunteers of all ages and abilities help with setup, check-in, aid stations, course marshaling, timing, and post-race food.
Volunteering is a fun, novel way to experience races, play in the outdoors, and spend time with friendly people. All volunteers receive a free race T-shirt, free food, and the ability to earn credit toward a future Inside Trail Racing event, commensurate to the amount of time worked. Five hours of assisting an event results in a free race credit or Inside Trail merchandise.
To volunteer for this year’s event, please submit our online volunteer form.
Course Information
50 Mile & 50K
50K and 50 Mile Course Map - GGNRA |
50K and 50 Mile Course Map - Mt. Tam50 Mile - Turn by Turn Directions | 50 Mile - Aid Station Distances and Cutoffs | 50 Mile Elevation Charts
50K - Turn by Turn Directions | 50K - Aid Station Distances and Cutoffs | 50K Elevation Charts
Sunrise for Sausalito, CA: 6:25 AM
Sunset for Sausalito, CA: 6:15 PM
Drop Bags and Headlamps Any runner who expects to be running beyond 6:15 PM should plan on having a headlamp in one of their drop bags.
Drop bags will be available at 2 different aid stations (which the 50 Mile will pass a total of 4 times, 50K runners will pass 2 times):
1) Tennessee Valley AS: Mile 10.5
2) Cardiac AS: Mile 19.8 (50 Mile Only)
3) Cardiac AS: Mile 29.3 (50 Mile Only)
4) Tennessee Valley AS: Mile 45.8
Aid Stations
Inside Trail Racing aid stations are replete with an optimal variety of glycogen-replenishing, electrolyte-replacing products. The following is a list of some of the foods and beverages each aid station may provide: Gu Energy gels (Note: GGNRA does not allow Gu Gels at aid stations on their property: Conzuleman, Tennesse Valley, Muir Beach), chews, and Stroopwafels, trail mix, pretzels, potato chips, Oreo cookies, Pop Tarts, boiled potatoes with salt, Coke, Ginger Ale, water, Skratch Hydration Mix, PB&J sandwiches, M&M’s, Mike & Ike’s, salt tablets, bananas, watermelon, and tangerines. Aid stations are also equipped with general first aid items, including Salt-Stick tablets, but no anti-inflammatory medicine.
Skratch Hydration is mixed so that it contains 80 – 100 calories per 20 fluid ounces.
As distances between aid station vary, we strongly encourage all runners to carry at least one 20oz bottle during their run.
Volunteer
Without the support of enthusiastic and caring volunteers producing our races would not be possible. Volunteers of all ages and abilities help with setup, check-in, aid stations, course marshaling, timing, and post-race food.
Volunteering is a fun, novel way to experience races, play in the outdoors, and spend time with friendly people. All volunteers receive a free race T-shirt, free food, and the ability to earn credit toward a future Inside Trail Racing event, commensurate to the amount of time worked. Five hours of assisting an event results in a free race credit or Inside Trail merchandise.
To volunteer for this year’s event, please submit our online volunteer form.
Shirts
All registered runners will receive a District Perfect-Tri tri-blend fabric shirt. This tee is made with top-of-the-line sportswear technology to heighten performance during your toughest workouts. With sun defense, moisture-wicking technology, quick stain release, and comfortable fit, this tri-blend performance crew serves the needs of every athlete. It’s the perfect year-round choice for outdoor sports and exercise. Get the most out of your workout with this tough, hardworking tee.
Features:
● 4.5-ounce, 50/25/25 poly/combed ring spun cotton/rayon, 32 singles
● 1X1 rib knit neck
● Shoulder to shoulder taping
● UPF 30
To be guaranteed your shirt size, you must register by February 23, 2024.
Awards
Overall winners of each race distance will receive a custom MUC award.
The top 3, male and female, finishers in the 50 Mile event will receive a custom trophy, a pair of La Sportiva Mountain Running shoes as well as the following cash awards:
● 1st - $500
● 2nd - $250
● 3rd - $150
The top 3, male and female, finishers in the 50K event will receive a custom trophy, and a pair of La Sportiva Mountain Running shoes.
All ultra-marathon distance finishers will receive a medal and a custom printed drinking glass with the race logo.
All other finishers will receive a custom medal with the race logo.
The Dead Last Finisher (DLF) in each even will receive a custom award.
Age-group medals (3 deep) will be awarded in the following categories, for both males and females:
● 13 and under
● 14 – 19
● 20 – 29
● 30 – 39
● 40 – 49
● 50 – 59
● 60 – 69
● 70 and over
The Fine Print
ITR Refund Policy:
Entry fees to our trail runs are non-refundable in all cases, and we do not offer credits, transfers, or deferrals to future races except as described below. Only registered runners can participate in our races, and you cannot exchange your entry with anyone else in any case.
We are happy to issue a credit worth 50% of your original race fee toward a future Inside Trail Racing event if we receive your cancellation at least 3 weeks prior to the race. Credits will expire 1 year after the date issued. There will be no credit provided if a cancellation is made within 3 weeks of the race.
While we understand that last-minute injuries, conflicts, emergencies, deaths, and other unfortunate events affecting registered runners can happen and may impact your plans for participation, we must adhere to our cancellation policy stated above and cannot offer any credits, refunds, transfers, or deferrals in any of these cases.
If the situation does arise where ITR must outright cancel an event for any reason, there will be no refunds. This could include earthquakes, floods, extreme weather, unsafe air quality, pandemics, or any other “Act of God”. ITR at its sole discretion may choose to offer future race credit or deferrals in these force majeure situations, depending on the circumstances and how close to the race date the event was cancelled. We will communicate with all registered runners as soon as possible regarding the cancellation and any pertinent information.
We do not cancel races due to rain or heat. Due to trail work, closures, or for myriad other reasons, permitting agencies may require changes to the publicized courses at any time prior to an event. This is out of our control, and we therefore will not offer refunds, credits, deferrals, or transfers (except as described below) in such a situation. If a race location is changed, but still hosted on the same day, we will automatically transfer the registration over to the new venue, or entrants may choose to run the race remotely and we will mail awards. If a race is postponed all entrants will be transferred to the new date.
Event's current local time: 3:22 PM PT
