Presented by
A beastly trail run with the most epic views!!
Welcome to race #2 of the Bulldog Challenge Series!!
This event historically sells out...
This classic 25k and 10k 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 and overall awards are handcrafted by local artist, the race shirts are soft cotton or tech, a sweet design, and fit specific to women and men, and you get official bragging rights for next year's event.
Sip some coffee before the start, enjoy a hard-earned breakfast after the race, check out the post-race festival, or make new friends in the beer garden while embellishing race stories. There'll be plenty of breakfast and places to sit in the shade 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.
Event Schedule:
5:45 am - Runner Check-in / Packet Pick-Up / Race Day Registration
7:00 am - 25k Start
7:30 am - 10k Start
8:30 am - Beer Garden Opens
8:45 am - Breakfast Served
9:30 am - Awards Ceremony Begins
11:30 am - Course Closed
All SoCalTrail races 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 Fun Stuff
The Tough Mugu 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 Mugu participants receive:
Locally-made and inspired finisher medals
Soft race shirt or tech shirts
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:
$2,000 Podium Prize Purse!!
1st - $500
2nd - $300
3rd - $200
Custom-made overall 1/2/3 awards for women and men in the 10k and 25k distances
1/2/3 age group awards for women and men in the 10k & 25k:
U20 / 20-29 / 30-39 / 40-49 / 50-59 / 60-69 / 70+
25k 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.
The Course
The Tough Mugu 25k course has all the elements of ideal, Southern California coastal 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 scenic bypass around Mugu Peak rewards runners with stunning views of the Channel Islands before returning across the long valley with Boney Mountain in the sights. The final 5k winds back down the Ray Miller switchbacks, determining who can finish strong and who is out to enjoy the views.
25k Course:
15.75-miles with 2,427’ vert
25k Strava Route
7:00am Start
3.5-hour time limit
25k Aid Stations & Cut-Off’s:
Mile 3.1 - 10k Turn-Around - No cut-off
Mile 4.8 - Four Corners 1 - 8:25am
Mile 9.4 - Chumash (water only) - 9:45am
Mile 11.6 - Four Corners 2 - 10:15am
Mile 13.4 - 10k Turn-around - 10:45am
Mile 15.75 - Finish - 11:30am
Experience the beautiful Ray Miller Trail and it’s sweeping ocean views leading into beautiful mountain vistas. Runners climb the Ray Miller Trail and part of the Overlook Fireroad to see Sycamore Canyon reaching inland and the Pacific Ocean below, before dropping back onto the Ray Miller Trail for 2.6 miles of gracious switchbacks.
10k Course:
10k Strava Route
6.2-miles with 1,164’ vert
7:30am 10k Start
3-hour time limit
Aid Station at mile 3.1
Directions & Parking
The Tough Mugu is located at La Jolla Canyon in Point Mugu State Park.
Parking is FREE on PCH
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 please 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 . 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
Tanri - Stay Younger Longer with TANRI Suncare Products
Vision For Enrichment - The Best Post-Race Sports Massage at all SoCalTrail races
Happy Nuts & Happy Curves - body care for chafing, odor and sweat
Skratch Labs - Electrolyte hydration at all SoCalTrail races
Hand-Brewed - Locally crafted in Chatsworth and on tap at all SoCalTrail Beer Gardens
@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: 6:33 AM PT
