Presented by SoCalTrail
A beastly trail run with the most epic views!!
This classic trail run offers competitive runners and outdoor lovers a chance to experience some of Southern California's finest coastal mountain trail running courses.
Finisher medals, overall winners and age group awards are handcrafted by local artists, the shirts are soft, a sweet design, and fit specific to women and men, and you get official bragging rights for next year's event.
Be part of the 5-mile event and watch the 25k runners start and finish while you head up the mountain on a fully-supported course.
Sip some coffee before the start, enjoy a hard-earned breakfast after the race, check out the post-race festival, or make runner friends in the beer garden while embellishing race stories. There'll be plenty of breakfast and places to sit for everyone. Stick around for the awards ceremony honoring the toughest runners!
A great effort is made to support the community by partnering with local businesses, small businesses, and minority-owned businesses.
The Tough Mugu is the 2nd race of the Bulldog Challenge.
SCHEDULE:
5:45 am - Runner Check-in / Packet Pick-Up / Race Day Registration
7:00 am - 25k Start
7:30 am - 5-mile Start
8:30 am - Beer Garden Opens
8:45 am - Breakfast Served
9:30 am - Awards Ceremony Begins
11:30 am - Course Closed
AID STATIONS:
Ray Miller - miles 2.9 & 12.8 (Skratch Hydration, water, ice, misters)
Four Corners - miles 4.8 & 10.8 (Skratch Hydration, water, ice, misters)
Mugu Peak - mile 8.5 (Cooling Station with water only)
CUT-OFF's:
8:25am Four Corners mile 4.8
9:55am Four Corners mile 10.8
10:30am Ray Miller at mile 12.8
11:30am Finish Line
This event historically sells out...
5-Mile
Experience the beautiful Ray Miller Trail and it’s ocean views leading up to mountain vistas. Runners climb to the highest point on the trail to see Sycamore Canyon inland and the Pacific Ocean below, before dropping back onto the Ray Miller Trail for 2.6 miles of gracious switchbacks. This 5.3-mile course has roughly 1,000’ of vertical gain and loss.
The Overall Top 3 women and men receive locally made, beautiful art pieces commemorating the 2021 Tough Mugu 5-Mile.
Male and female Age Group podium places receive Beer Can Glass awards.
Strava Route
Aid Stations serving Skratch Hydration and water located at miles:
3.0
25k
The Tough Mugu 25k course has all the elements of ideal, Southern California mountain running! Winding up from sea level, the famous Ray Miller Trail, leads the race above the coastline and onto mountain top fire roads, rolling valleys, and chaparral forest single track. Near the halfway point, the route around Mugu Peak rewards runners with epic views of the Channel Islands and Boney Mountain, before returning across the long valley. The final 5k cruises back down the Ray Miller switchbacks, determining who can finish strong.
The 25k course is equipped with four, fully-stocked aid stations and climbs a total of 2,601 feet.
Strava Route
Aid Stations serving Skratch Hydration and water located at miles:
2.9 - 4.8 - 10.8 - 12.8
Cooling Station with water only at mile 8.5
$$ Prizes & Awards
$$ 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 Mugu (woman & man):
Must be present at Awards Ceremony to collect.
The Overall Top 3 women and men of the 5-mile and the 25k receive locally made, beautiful art pieces commemorating their 2023 Tough Mugu experience.
Male and female Age Group podium places receive Pint Glass awards.
The Fun Stuff
- Finisher Medal hand-made by local artist
- Soft cotton Shirt or Tank for men or women (beach towesl available for sale)
- Tough Mugu Stickers
- Tough Mugu Scenic Postcard
- FREE Race Photos ready on Sunday
- Post-Race Sports Massage by Vision For Enrichment
- Beer Garden (21+)
- Delicious Runners' Breakfast!!
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 on June 24th
2. Work your way up to the Tough Mugu 25k.
3. Get a finish at the Bulldog Ultra 50k on August 20th.
Directions & Parking
The Tough Mugu is located at La Jolla Group Campground in Point Mugu State Park.
Parking is FREE on PCH.
Limited On-Site Parking in the La Jolla Canyon parking lot available through UltraSignUp.
If coming from the South (Malibu):
- Turn North on Pacific Coast Highway until Thornhill Broom Campground
- Park diagonally on right side of road
- Keep off the road, behind the white line
If coming from the North (Ventura):
- Turn South on Pacific Coast Highway until Thornhill Broom Campground
- Park parallel on right side of road
- Safely U-Turn and park on inland side of road
- Keep off the road, behind the white line
Obey traffic laws, keep all wheels off the road, observe any "No Parking" signs, and respect the volunteer parking team.
Discounts and Volunteers
Volunteers from other SoCalTrail events can earn Race Credits for the Tough Mugu!!
To Volunteer at the Tough Mugu, 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 or running group organizer please email info@socaltrail.events for your SoCalTrail discount code.
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 at every SoCalTrail event!
Skratch Labs - Official On-Course Hydration
TrailFolx - Breaking down barriers of entry to mountain sports.
Event's current local time: 10:41 PM PT
