Tamalpa Headlands 50K

Race completed

51 km Distance

2,100 m Climbing

5.7 Grit · Challenging

37.8661° N, 122.5899° W © OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles Data from OpenStreetMap

What the course asks

Climbing rate 41 m / km Mountain. Significant climbing. Steep sections will require power hiking.

Field size ~260 Large. Rarely out of sight of another runner.

DUV results for the 2026 edition (31.5mi) — finishers only. Starters are not published, so the field was at least this big and no finish rate can be given.

Typical conditions, August

Daytime high 23°C

Night low 12°C

Rainfall Dry — rain unlikely

Daylight 13 h 40 m of light

Regional 2001-2020 average for August — NASA POWER, grid elevation 87 m. Not a forecast.

Results history

Year	Race	Finishers	Men's winner	Women's winner
2026	31.5mi	260	Spencer Ferguson-Dryden · 03:50:57	Sylvie Abel · 04:30:55
2025	31.5mi	251	Cole Campbell · 03:31:43	Tayler Tuttle · 04:03:05
2024	31.5mi	215	Cole Campbell · 03:40:14	Lindsay Allison · 04:30:34
2023	31.5mi	250	Preston Cates · 03:55:47	Jennifer Schmidt · 04:22:27
2019	31.5mi	143	Gregory Krathwohl · 04:12:37	Celia Stockwell · 05:09:16
2018	31.5mi	166	Stephen Kersh · 04:04:14	Emily Richards · 04:53:57
2017	31.5mi	177	Chikara Omine · 04:11:15	Caroline Boller · 05:00:11
2016	31.5mi	231	Cody Reed · 03:43:51	Megan Roche · 04:20:51
2015	31.5mi	220	Andy Wacker · 03:37:20	Caitlin Smith · 04:30:44
2014	31.5mi	187	Ivan Medina · 03:47:35	Justine Owen · 05:26:50

The field has held steady: 251 in 2025, 260 in 2026. 32% of the 2026 field were women.

DUV results for the 2026 edition (31.5mi) — finishers only. Starters are not published, so the field was at least this big and no finish rate can be given.

The Aid Station

Course-specific beta from the community

⛰️ terrain

This is a mountain course. Poles are highly recommended for the sustained climbs.

By UltraHub Expert

👟 gear

With trail terrain, choose a shoe with moderate cushioning for optimal performance.

By UltraHub Expert

Gear for this race

Chosen for 51 km of trail with 2,100 m of ascent.

Trail Running Shoes 41 m of climb per kilometre — grip and rock protection before cushioning.
Race Nutrition 51 km of self-supported fuelling between aid stations.
Hydration Vests Pole attachment and chest-strap stability on steep ground.
Trekking Poles 2,100 m of ascent to walk up.
GPS Watches Battery life first — a 51 km day outlasts most full-GPS modes.

Brooks

Catamount 3

RunRepeat found the Brooks Catamount 3 to have a cozier upper that enhances the overall fit, though breathability and durability could be better. iRunFar noted…

★★★★★ 4.5

La Sportiva

Prodigio Pro

RunRepeat found the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro to have a secure, locked-in fit due to its premium upper, and also praised the shoe's energetic ride, particularly…

$225 ★★★★★ 4.6

Maurten