Horseshoe Lake Trail Run
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Horseshoe Lake Trail Run : April 18, 2026
The Horseshoe Lake Trail Run is set for April 18, 2026, at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve in La Honda, CA. The event offers multiple distances:
- 5 mi
- Half Marathon
- 30K
- Marathon
- 50K
- Kid's Run (6 years & younger, 50 yd dash) - free
Parking at the preserve is free. Bibs and shirts are distributed on race day and pre-registered runners are guaranteed a shirt if they register 10 business days before the event. Drop bags are allowed for the 30K, Marathon, and 50K and may be left at the Start/Finish area. All events have a five-hour time limit.
Course and race logistics
The course runs within Skyline Ridge, Long Ridge, and Russian Ridge Open Space Preserves, mostly along the Bay Area Ridge Trail with views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Distances were measured with a Rolatape surveyor's wheel. Markings include ribbon about every 200 yards, polka-dot flagging to indicate turns, and blue ribbons to indicate wrong directions. Headphones are allowed only on dirt-road sections and are prohibited on single-track trail, when crossing paved roads, at aid stations, or when crossing the finish line.
Surface and elevation examples: the 5 mi has 960 ft gain (66% single track), the Half Marathon 1,800 ft gain (57% single track), and the 30K 2,760 ft gain (58% single track). Fully stocked aid stations appear every 5 - 6.5 miles with fruit, salty snacks, candy, water, and Skratch electrolyte drink; runners are advised to carry at least 20 oz of water between stations. The event is cupless; participants should bring their own container. No dogs are allowed on the course or in the parking lot. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
