The Basics

Race Date: Saturday, August 15th, 2026

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.

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.