The Basics

Race Date: Saturday, Aug 17, 2024

Start Time: 7:30 AM (Cutoffs)

Start & Finish Location:           
Santos Meadow, Muir Beach           
2704 Muir Woods Rd           
Mill Valley, CA 94941

Maximum number of runners: 300

Presented by Tamalpa Runners and UltraRunning Magazine

Race Director: Victor Ballesteros  
Email: rd@headlands50k.com       
 

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.

Carpooling is strongly recommended to 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

(Santos Meadow is 1.3 miles Northwest of Muir Beach)

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

Aid stations will have water, soda, GU Energy gels, Tailwind hydration, and other food items such as bananas, fruit, PB&J, chips and other snacks.

Numbers must be worn on the front and be visible and they cannot be folded.

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:

  • Muir 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

Pending

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 and drinks from our friends at Headlands Brewing & Best Day Brewing (non-alcoholic) at the finish for race participants and volunteers.

Volunteer Information

If you wish to volunteer, please sign up.