2026 Race Day is August 15th!
NOTE: We WILL NOT BE the 2026 USATF 50k Trail Championship. The committee wanted to award it to an event that's never held it before and we're stoked to share the love!
BUT, We WILL STILL be part of the USATF PA Grand-Prix. And, once again we'll "show you the money!" with our $10,000 podium purse!!! Get in for the 27th edition of this Northern California Classic, because this party's gonna' blow up!
The Race
Originally founded in 1995 as the Pt. Reyes 50k and reimagined as the current course in 1998, The Tamalpa Headlands 50K presented by Arc'teryx and the Tamalpa Runners features many of Marin County's most iconic and challenging trails: Coastal, Miwok, Matt Davis and Dipsea. The idyllic and beloved Santos Meadow near Muir Woods is the location of the start and finish line after-party.
Just a hop and a skip from San Francisco, the course traverses approximately 6,600 rugged feet of elevation gain featuring a mix of steep climbs, fast descents, flowy singletrack, and on a clear day, stunning views of the Bay Area, Pacific Ocean and beyond. You'll experience all the splendor that the Marin Headlands and Mount Tamalpais has to offer in one of the country's most stunning locations to celebrate the sport of ultrarunning.
Full race information, course details, past results, and lodging info are available at https://www.headlands50k.com/ Check out the Strava flyover!
Start, Time Limits, & Cutoffs
The start is 7:30AM at Santos Meadows. Not 7:29, or 7:31, but 7:30 SHARP! Vital cutoff times and locations are: Tennessee Valley- East 11:30AM (4 hours), Highway1 12:30 (5 hours), Cardiac 1st pass 2PM (6 hours 30 min.), Stinson Beach 3:30PM (8 hours), Cardiac 2nd pass 4:45PM (9 hours 15 min.), Santos Meadows Finish 5:30PM (10 hours). This important timeline can also be found on our website.
USATFPA Grand Prix for 2026
Sadly, we won't be the 2026 USATF Trail 50k Championship, but we will remain a part of the Pacific Association Grand Prix. After multiple years of the TH50k hosting the Championship, the USATF committee wanted to give the opportunity to a race that's never held the event. We're truly stoked for them. There is no doubt in our minds that the championship will come back to us again. Why? Because were freakin' cool. So, by no means should this affect your decision to run with us. As you may or may not know, we are definitely the most outrageously exciting, beautiful, fun and unpredictable race ever! I will always guarantee that.
Volunteers! Link will be live soon.
If you can't run, but want to still be a huge part of the event, volunteer options are available through the website link:
https://www.headlands50k.com/
Aid Stations
The most amazing aid stations ever are located at Rodeo Beach mile 8.3, Tennessee Valley- East mile 11.5, Highway1 mile 14.8, Cardiac 1st pass 19.5, Stinson Beach mile 24.1, Cardiac 2nd pass mile 27.7, and Santos Meadows Finish.
Rules
We love dogs!!! Unfortunately, they're not allowed at Santos Meadows. PLEASE, leave your fur babies home, with a friend, or with your in-laws like we'll be doing.
If you drop out of the race, please let a race official or aid station captain know.
We are a cup-free race. Runners must carry their own collapsible cup or other drinking device such as water bottles and hydration packs. THERE WILL BE NO DISPOSABLE CUPS AT ANY AID STATION.
Runners do NOT have the right of way at road crossings or on the trail. Be careful at road crossings; pay attention to course monitors and park officials. Be courteous and respectful of hikers, bikers and horses on the trail. Be quiet and cautious going past the horse stable area in Tennessee Valley; we have strict permit use restrictions for that area.
The official course is on the trails and runners will be disqualified for cutting switchbacks.
Refunds and Exchanges
50% refund if you withdraw by 06/30. No refunds thereafter. No exchanges permitted. Rollovers will be allowed.
Event's current local time: 3:05 PM PT
