Muir Woods Mountain Challenge
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Muir Woods Mountain Challenge
The Muir Woods Mountain Challenge is a trail running event at Mt. Tamalpais State Park near Stinson Beach, CA. The event offers the following distances:
- 10K : 6.4 miles with about 1,950 feet elevation gain
- Half Marathon : 13.1 miles with about 3,450 feet elevation gain
- 30K : 18.8 miles with about 4,950 feet elevation gain
The course includes a steep initial climb of 2,000 feet in just over 2 miles up Willow Camp hill, ridge-line single-track with views of Stinson Beach and the Pacific Ocean, and a damp twisting descent on the Matt Davis Trail. The half and 30K routes continue up Mt. Tam via Steep Ravine and pass through Muir Woods, reach the Cardiac Hill summit, and descend toward Stinson Beach on the Dipsea Trail, which includes many steps.
Most of the route is on technical dirt trails and fire roads with long hills, rocky and rooty descents, and numerous turns. Hiking poles are permitted. Courses are marked with colored ribbons placed approximately every 200 meters; blue ribbons indicate wrong way.
Aid stations offer gels, chews, Stroopwafels, trail mix, pretzels, potato chips, cookies, boiled potatoes with salt, Coke, Ginger Ale, water, Skratch hydration mix, PB&J sandwiches, fruit, salt tablets, and basic first aid but no anti inflammatory medicine. The event is cupless; runners are expected to carry their own bottle or reusable cup. Drop bag service is not available.
Additional details: chip timing with disposable bib chips, a total capacity of 300 runners across distances, free parking at Stinson Beach Day Use Area, race shirts in tri blend fabric are available and shirt size is guaranteed by the stated registration deadline, and a range of awards and age group medals are given. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
