Presented by
A grueling trail run in the Santa Monica MountainsRace #1 of the Bulldog Challenge Series!!
Our most popular 10k trail run is back…with a brand new 15k distance and $2,500 Prize Purse!! This event historically sells out!!
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!! We’re excited to introduce a gnarly “new” 15k race course dating back to the former Topanga Turkey Trot.
The Hiker's Delight is non-timed, featuring an early start, full access to all aid stations and all the swag.
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 singletrack before the finish chute.
All SoCalTrail events are CUPLESS.
- Start with the Tough Topanga on 6/20 >> Register Now! <<
- Work your way up to the Tough Mugu 25k on 7/18 >>Register Now!<<
- Get a finish at the Bulldog Ultra 50k on 8/15 >> Register Now! <<
Rules for the Points:
- Points are awarded based on your finish time as a percentage time of the winner’s time in the race.
- The winner receives the maximum points (100), and everyone else gets a percentage of that maximum.
- Women and men are scored separately within their divisions based on the winning time in that division.
- A age group categories are scored within their gender based on the winning time in that gender
- Only the longest distances from all 3 races in the series are scored (10k, 25k, 50k).
Series Awards
- All Series Finishers: earn your adidas TERREX Bulldog Challenge Jacket when you cross the final finish line on 8/16.
- Age Group Points: the highest female and male scorers in each age group by 10-year categories
- Overall Series Champions: the highest female and male scorers based on the series points
Check the Series Standings
The Schedule
Saturday, June 20, 2026:
5:45am - Shuttles begin
5:45am - Race Day Registration & Runner Check-in
7:15am - Hiker’s Delight Start
7:45am - 10k Start
8:00am - 15k Start
8:30am - Beer Garden and Breakfast Tacos Open
9:45am - Kids 1k Start
10:00am - Awards Ceremony
11:00am - Course Closed
The Course
The Tough Topanga routes are rugged, steep, and breathtakingly beautiful. Runners will experience oak forests, chaparral wildflowers, sandstone cliffs, valley vistas, and views of the San Gabriel mountains and Pacific ocean. Send it hard…the Downhill Mile bonus is up for grabs when you cross the timing mat for the final mile. The fastest splits take home $250 each!!
15k Course: Garapito Singletrack
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 Garapito singletrack. This new wild addition follows the historic SoCalTrail Turkey Trot route, switchbacking into the canyon before gently climbing to the Garapito aid station. The fireroad climbs, cresting out at Hub Junction before the final 3-miles to the finish. A decent climb from around mile 7.5 to mile 8.5 preps you for the final 1-mile drop and the Downhill Mile challenge. Be safe, but fast, on the way back down to Trippet Ranch.
9.23 miles with 1,780' vert
15k Strava Route
3:00-hour time limit
8:00am 10k Start
15k Aid Stations & Cut-Off’s
Mile 1.5 - Eagle Junction - 8:40am
Mile 5.0 - Garapito - 9:45am
Mile 6.5 - Hub Junction - 10:10am
Mile 7.1 - Eagle Junction - 10:35am
Mile 9.2 - Finish - 11:00am
10k Course: the Classic
Take the groomed fire road, taking left turns up to Eagle Rock. The steep 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 red dirt 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 Mile challenge. Be safe, but fast, on the way back down to Trippet Ranch.
6.24 miles with 1,198' vert
10k Strava Route
3:15-hour time limit
7:45am 10k Start
10k Aid Stations & Cut-Off’s
Mile 1.5 - Eagle Junction - 8:40am
Mile 2.9 & 3.4 - Hub Junction - 10:10am
Mile 4.8 - Eagle Junction - 10:35am
Mile 6.2 - Finish - 11:00am
Kids 1k Course:
0.56 miles with 143' vert
Kids 1k Strava Route
The Fun Stuff
The Tough Topanga experience includes:
Fully-supported trail run, professionally organized by SoCalTrail.
Expertly-marked course for daytime and night running.
Chip timing and same-day ultrasignup.com results.
Real-time social media coverage.
Aid stations staffed by local run clubs.
Finish line announcers and music DJ at festival party.
Team of certified sports massage pre- and post-race.
Professional medical support and communications at every aid station.
All Tough Topanga participants receive:
Locally-made and inspired finisher medals
Soft race shirt or tech shirt with classic Tough Topanga design
Beer garden entry, including two complimentary finisher beers (21+)
Festival “Hydration Station” with Long Run Coffee and Athletic Brewing
Delicious breakfast tacos with plant-based options.
FREE next day race photography!!
Prizes and Awards:
$2,500 Prize Purse!!
Winner Takes All
$500 CASH to each female and male winners of the 10k and 15k.
$250 CASH to each female and male winners of the Downhill Mile.
Custom-made overall 1/2/3 awards for women and men in 10k & 15k distances, as well as the overall 1k Kids.
"Local Legend” awards go to the fastest female and male Topangans.
1/2/3 age group awards for women and men in the 10k & 15k:
U20 / 20-29 / 30-39 / 40-49 / 50-59 / 60-69 / 70+
10k and 15k overall women and men winners earn comp entries to SoCalTrail’s 2026 season final at Crystal Cove on December 12 with a $2,000 15k prize purse.
Directions & Parking
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.
*there is limited cell phone service in Topanga Canyon. Please plan accordingly.
Parking in the Park:
No race site parking on race day. 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.
The Cause
A portion of the proceeds from the 2026 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.
Sponsors
Tanri - Stay Younger Longer with TANRI Suncare Products
Vision For Enrichment - The Best Post-Race Sports Massage at all SoCalTrail races
Skratch Labs - Electrolyte hydration at all SoCalTrail races
@DoctorMvmt - offering physical therapy services to help you run pain free
Adventure Awareness Concepts - professional event medical services at all SoCalTrail events.
Event's current local time: 7:51 AM PT
