Saturday, January 11, 2020 • Stinson Beach, CA • Course Map
Challenging hills along the single-track trails that wind through Northern California’s Mount Tamalpais State Park — along with spectacular views of the Pacific coastline as well as the hills and mountains of nearby Muir Woods and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area off in the distance — are what await runners at the annual January running of the Steep Ravine Trail Run.
All five races in the event — which added the 26.2-mile distance for the first time in 2012, to join its 13.1-mile, 10K 25K and 50K trail runs — follow an out-and-back course that starts and finishes at Stinson Beach, which lies just over a half-hour’s drive north from the Golden Gate Bridge and nearby San Francisco.
Runners will start the race from the parking lot overlooking the beach and then head onto the trails that lead into the thickly wooded mountains overlooking the shoreline.
For those running in the half marathon, the first three to four miles provide some of the toughest challenges of the race, as the course rises from about 26 feet above sea level at the starting line to nearly 1,500 feet above sea level by the time runners have passed the mile 3 marker, along the Steep Ravine Trail that runs roughly parallel to the Panoramic Highway scenic road inside Mount Tamalpais State Park, part of the more than 50 miles of trails that wind through the park.
As you’re making your way along the trails, you’ll definitely want to take in the view. On a clear day, visitors can see as far as 25 miles out to sea from high elevations, including sights like the Farallon Islands just off the coast and the hills of Marin County, the Marin Headlands and even the skyline of San Francisco in the distance, depending on where in the park you are.
Runners follow a series of the park’s trails throughout the course of the half marathon, running the Dipsea, Steep Ravine, Stapleveldt, Ben Johnson, Sierra, Troop 80 and TCC trails before rejoining the Dipsea Trail when they’re back in Mount Tamalpais — the half marathon route takes runners into the adjacent Muir Woods National Monument park for the easternmost stretch of the race — and then head back toward Stinson Beach for the race finish.
Race organizers provide water and refreshment aid stations about every 3 to 6 miles along the course, so bring along your own water bottle. There is a course time limit of 9 hours for all races.
Race Climate & Weather
Located just north along the shore from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, Stinson Beach typically sees its coldest and wettest weather of the year in January, when temperatures can drop as low as the 20s.
On race day (Jan. 11), the average low is 40°F and the average high is 56°F.
Past Results
- 2019 Steep Ravine Trail Run Half Marathon Overall Results
- 2018 Steep Ravine Trail Run Half Marathon Overall Results
- 2017 Steep Ravine Trail Run Half Marathon Overall Results
- 2016 Steep Ravine Trail Run Half Marathon Overall Results
- 2015 Steep Ravine Trail Run Half Marathon Overall Results
- 2014 Steep Ravine Trail Run Half Marathon Overall Results
- 2013 Steep Ravine Trail Run Half Marathon Overall Results
- 2012 Steep Ravine Trail Run Half Marathon Overall Results
- 2011 Steep Ravine Trail Run Half Marathon Overall Results
Course Map
See the Steep Ravine Trail Run Half Marathon course map here.
Starting Time
- 8:00 AM – 50K, 25K
- 8:15 AM – marathon, half marathon
- 8:30 AM – 10K
Fees
- $55 – $70 for the half marathon
- $75 – $90 for the 50K
- $65 – $80 for the marathon
- $60 – $75 for the 25K
- $45 – $60 for the 10K
Registration
To reserve your spot in any of the race distances at the winter 2020 running of Stinson Beach’s Steep Ravine Trail Run, register online at UltraSignup.com here.
Official Race Website
Facebook Conversations
Ever run in the Steep Ravine Trail Run? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments box below.
[fbcomments]
