Cancelled Event
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
2024 Update
Trippet Ranch, the race site for the Tough Topanga, is undergoing a beautification project and will not be permitting any events in 2024.
The Red Rock Rumble 10k will be held in lieu of this year's Tough Topanga. Nestled deep in Topanga Canyon, this hidden gem promises to be equally tough, equally beautiful, equally rewarding and maybe even more fun!!
The Tough Topanga will return in 2025.
Presented by SoCalTrail
A grueling 10k trail run in the Santa Monica Mountains…
This event historically sells out...registration opens on January 1, 2024
What used to be a no-holds barred run up a mountain in the 1970's, turned grassroots community running event, has become one of Los Angeles’ favorite trail races!! This classic trail run is one of the hardest 10k races in Southern California and offers a winner takes all cash prize, a "Downhill Mile" cash bonus, and the fastest "Local Legend" award!!
Kids, get ready to race! The 1-kilometer course climbs along the Tough Topanga 10k course, but veers off and heads downhill on a super fun winding singletrack before entering the Tough Topanga finish chute.
The Hiker's Delight appeals to the non-competitive folks, featuring an early start, full access to all aid stations and all the swag. The Hiker's Delight is a non-timed event.
Finisher medals and overall awards are handcrafted by local artists; t-shirt or tank top choices are high-quality and soft with a sweet design, and fit specific to men, women, and children; and all finishers get an official Tough Topanga postcards and Tough Topanga stickers. Don’t forget about your bragging rights and your official results.
Schedule:
Runner Check-in Opens at 6:30am
Hiker's Delight Starts at 7:30am
10k Starts at 8:00am
Beer & Food Served at 8:45am
Junior 1k Starts at 9:30am
Awards Ceremony Starts at 9:45am
Course Closes at 11:00am
Winners of the 10k are invited to compete in the SoCalTrail Championships in December at the Crystal Cove Trail Run.
The 2023 Tough Topanga counts as the first race of the Bulldog Trail Challenge
*2020 results are from the Hiker's Delight 5.7-mile course
**2022 results may vary due to longer course
The Course
6.2 Miles with 1,224 feet of climbing.
The Tough Topanga course is rugged, steep, and breath-takingly beautiful.
Runners will experience oak forests, chaparral wildflowers, sandstone cliffs, valley vistas, and ocean views.
Start at Trippet Ranch and follow the fire road taking left turns up to Eagle Rock. The climbs are broken up into sections and there are a couple welcomed descents on the way to the highpoint at around mile 2.3. Cruise the mesa to Hub Junction, get some flat reprieve for the turn-around, and hook a left for the first long downhill of the course. A gentle climb from around mile 4 to mile 4.5 preps you for the final 1-mile drop and the Downhill Flyer challenge. Be safe, but fast, on the way back down to Trippet Ranch.
Link to Course Route:
Strava Route
The Goodies
- Finisher Medal custom-made by local artist
- Soft cotton Shirt or Tank for men or women, plus youth shirt sizes
- Tough Topanga Sticker
- FREE Race Photos
- Post-Race Sports Massage by Vision For Enrichment
- Beer Garden (21+)
- Delicious Runners' Breakfast!!
$$ Prizes
$$ Prize Purse!!
You don't have to be an elite runner to take home the cash! Just be faster than everyone else.
Winner takes all $500 cash prize for the fastest overall runners in the 2024 Tough Topanga (woman & man):
$200 "Downhill Mile" Bonus for the fastest downhillers in the final mile of the 2024 Tough Topanga (woman & man).
Must be present at Awards Ceremony to collect.
The Awards
Top 10 (female & male) finishers win a pair of Goodr sunglasses. 1/2/3 Place Overall (female & male) Award custom-made by local artist
1st Place Age Group Awards (male & female):
- Under 16 year olds
- 16-19 year olds
- 20-29 year olds
- 30-39 year olds
- 40-49 year olds
- 50-59 year olds
- 60-69 year olds
- 70 year olds and Up
"Local Legend" Award to the fastest Topangans (male & female).
Special Race Director's locally-sourced award goes to the last finisher of the Tough Topanga 10k.
The Bulldog Challenge
Earn the limited edition Bulldog Challenge jacket when you complete all three events in one year!!
1. Start with the Tough Topanga 10k.
2. Work your way up to the Tough Mugu 25k on July 20th.
3. Get a finish at the Bulldog Ultra 50k on August 17th.
Sponsors
Run With Us Pasadena - Aid Station Support
15% off in-store with proof of registration (*some exceptions apply)
Vision For Enrichment - Post-Race Sports Massage
Skratch Labs - Official On-Course Hydration
TrailFolx - Breaking down barriers of entry to mountain sports
Directions & Parking
Limited On-Site Parking available through UltraSignUp.
FREE Off-Site Parking and Shuttles on Topanga Canyon Blvd.
The Tough Topanga race site is at:
Topanga State Park, Trippet Ranch
20828 Entrada Road
Topanga, CA 90290
Directions from the 101 Ventura Freeway:
Exit at Topanga Canyon South, and travel south, up the mountain and towards the ocean. Turn left onto Entrada Road and follow signs left to Topanga State Park
Directions from the PCH:
Turn North into Topanga Canyon and drive into the mountains. Turn right onto Entrada Road and follow signs left to Topanga State Park.
Parking in the Park:
The Trippet Ranch parking lot is open and from 8:00am to sunset with limited capacity and is only accepting credit card or phone app payments at the automated pay machines.
Parking on the Street:
Free street parking is available on a first-come basis on Entrada Road. Please adhere to all parking signs and keep all of your tires off the road and inside the white line.
Discounts & Volunteers
Volunteers from other SoCalTrail events can earn Race Credits for the Tough Topanga!!
To Volunteer at the Tough Topanga, or other SoCalTrail races, please email volunteer@socaltrail.events to sign up. We'd love to have you on the team!!
All volunteers get awesome race swag, meals, coffee/cocoa and massage.
Race credits to future SoCalTrail races are $15/hour and are transferrable to friends and family!
Please email volunteer@socaltrail.events
If you're an active firefighter, race director, running group organizer or Topanga local, please email info@socaltrail.events for your discount code.
Special Thanks
Thank you former Race Director Sparky Green for introducing so many of LA's youth to the Santa Monica Mountains and trail running.
The Cause
A portion of the proceeds from the 2024 Tough Topanga will be donated to LA Fire Station 69 in Topanga Canyon so they can keep our beautiful Santa Monica Mountains safe during the fire season.
Event's current local time: 8:50 AM PT
