The Basics

Race Date: Saturday, August 15th, 2026

For the First Time Ever There Will Be Drop Bags at Cardiac A.S., but No Crewing Allowed!

Drop bags can be handed over at SFRC bib pickup 3PM-6PM, and Santos Meadow race morning no later than 6:45AM!

Although drop bags will be allowed at Cardiac, please consider this: You will pass through Cardiac AS 3 times. The distance between Cardiac #1 and #2 is only 1 mile. Please, think ahead with your AS game plan and seriously consider if you actually need a drop bag. This AS will be a heavily stocked hub with a small army of volunteers and port-a-potties. It's entirely possible that you won't need a drop bag, unless there's something particular you'll need that isn't available at the AS.

Crews can to go to Cardiac as spectators. Obviously, I can't stop them. There will be a specific area for them to cheer you on. They can not aid you. You have a drop bag, for cryin' out loud. ;-) Why these specific changes? To minimize the potential confusion of having runners, volunteers, crews, and park visitors (whom I have no control over) milling about. Once the bulk of the field hits Cardiac #1 they'll loop around back to their pass #2 while others are just hitting pass #1. Volunteers will need to have complete focus in aiding you as well as making sure you know which direction you're going. Which you should because you did your homework, right? Having limited fee-parking at Pantoll Ranger Station, your crew may not want to go there anyway.

Bib Pickup

Swag bags will be handed out at the finish.

Friday 3PM-6PM          
San Francisco Running Company          
247 Shoreline Hwy          
Mill Valley 94941          
415-450-7031

Race Day Bib Pick Up          
Santos Meadow          
6:00 AM-6:45 AM

Race Morning Information

All runners must check-in between 6:00 AM and 6:45 AM race morning at the Santos Meadow start area. Bib numbers will be available at check-in.

In the past we would "strongly recommend" carpooling. This year we have more runners than ever. I cannot stress enough that carpooling is absolutely necessary and helpful to the environment of Santos Meadow. Volunteers will be at the start to assist with parking. Please see the parking map below.

click for large image

Directions to Santos Meadow - Start and Finish Location

Note: GPS Directions may take you there on a different route. As long as you end up at Santos Meadow, you're golden!

From San Francisco: Take Golden Gate Bridge and Highway 101 North.     

From East Bay: Take Richmond Bridge and then Highway 101 South.     

From North: Take Highway 101 South.

Exit off Highway 101 at Stinson Beach/Hwy 1 exit. 

Distances are measured from the first traffic light after exiting 101 from North or South (Fireside Motel on left). 

• At first traffic light, proceed on Highway 1 North (Shoreline Highway) toward Stinson Beach.
• At 0.5 miles (Arco Station on left), turn left at traffic light (Tamalpais Junction). 
• Continuing on Highway 1/Shoreline Highway toward Stinson Beach and Mt Tamalpais. 
• At 3 miles, turn right (uphill) onto Panoramic Highway, toward Mount Tamalpais. 
• At about 4 miles, turn left (downhill) on Muir Woods Road, towards Muir Woods National Monument. 
• At about 5.5 miles Muir Woods Road bends left, past the entrance to Muir Woods National Monument (on right).
• Continue on Muir Woods Road toward Muir Beach. At about 8 miles, turn right through a gate into Santos Meadow (Mount Tamalpais State Park) and the Start/Finish and Parking Area.

The Race and Rules

Chip timing bibs must be worn on the front and be visible and they cannot be folded.

Aid stations will have water, soda, GU Energy gels, Skratch Energy hydration, and other food items such as bananas, fruit, PB&J, chips and other snacks. Due to GGNRA permit rules, all GU gels consumed at Tennessee Valley must be consumed in front of a volunteer and handed back to them for disposal. This rule is only for TV AS.  You may have a drop bag at Cardiac, but crew can not aid you there.

Hiking Poles are allowed.

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.

The finishing time cutoff is 10 hours (5:30 PM). See the Course information for aid station Cutoffs.

Crewing

Crew is welcome at the following spots:

• Rodeo Beach (parking available)
• Tennessee Valley Aid Station (parking available)
• Stinson Aid Station (parking available)

No crew is allowed at Highway One Crossing or Pantoll Parking Lot Area due to permit restrictions.

Prize Money

$10,000

Finisher and Age Group Awards

All registered runners will receive our specially designed Headlands 50K T-shirt and a goody bag. Our T-shirts are created by renowned artist and friend Nick Wilton.

Age group awards (not money) will be given to the top men and women finishers in the following divisions:

19 years old and under                                        
20 to 29 years old                                        
30 to 39 years old                                        
40 to 49 years old                                        
50 to 59 years old                                        
60 to 69 years old                                        
70 to 79 years old                                        
80 to 89 years old

We will also have special mid-pack and back of the pack awards.

Post Race Party

There will be food provided by Casablanca Moroccan and Mediterranean Food.

Volunteer Information

The race has a variety of volunteer positions available. Learn more and sign up! 

Hotel Information

For those traveling to Northern CA, the following are a few        
accommodations in Marin with driving distance to the start/finish at        
Santos Meadow included.        

Holiday Inn Express Mill Valley San Francisco Area, an IHG Hotel        
160 Shoreline Hwy, Mill Valley, CA 94941        
6.4 miles        
https://maps.app.goo.gl/eJ43JGM3PRRgMx9y6        

Muir Woods Lodge        
155 Shoreline Hwy, Mill Valley, CA 94941        
6.4 miles        
https://maps.app.goo.gl/VJaZVyqXSbE7DxMe8        

Travelodge by Wyndham Mill Valley/Sausalito        
707 Redwood Hwy, Mill Valley, CA 94941        
7.7 miles        
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dRcaaJEjN3RUvRYd7        

The Evergreen        
706 Meadowsweet Dr, Corte Madera, CA 94925        
10 miles        
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yTYSSCLtF7vLQ62dA        

Best Western Corte Madera Inn        
56 Madera Blvd, Corte Madera, CA 94925        
10 miles        
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5boKimBkJWKMq8CZ8        

Extended Stay America - San Rafael - Francisco Blvd. East        
1775 Francisco Blvd E, San Rafael, CA 94901        
14 miles        
https://maps.app.goo.gl/drgvkeo8boph7xq29        

Just across the Golden Gate Bridge, there are a number of hotels along        
Lombard St. just south of the Marina District. The average distance        
from there to Santos is 15 miles including a bridge toll.