The Tamalpa Challenge 2026

The three cross-country races will be held in China Camp State Park in San Rafael, CA, as in the past several years. These races are run as a memorial to John Lawson, a Tamalpa Runner who died suddenly in 2000.

Note that start times are changed this year. All women regardless of age age start first at 9:00, masters men start at 10:00, and open men start at 11:00.

The course is the same as it was in 2025 at roughly 4.20 miles, which is mostly rolling single track trail and approximately 1/4 mile on asphalt. Start is near Miwok Mdws gate. Finish line and registration is in Miwok Mdws picnic area.

Warm-up and warm-down. In order to prevent a reoccurrence of a collision between a returning racer and a runner warming down on the course, we ask that you do your warmup and warmdown runs off of the course once racing has started. Suggestions include going south on Shoreline Trail from the Miwok gate starting area, along the stretch of road from the start on up to the finish area, and running carefully on the paved road.

State Park rules limit the number of people in Miwok Mdws at any one time to 200, so please help us out by limiting your stay in the picnic area after your race. The race filled up in 2023 and 2024.

We prefer not to deal with race-day entries, but can accommodate a few last-minute substitutions, mostly for runners who registered early but did not claim their bibs. Email the RD if you need help with submitting your entry on October 11th.

Parking is limited. Please carpool to the greatest extent possible. Park along San Pedro Road, which is close to the start at the Miwok Mdws gate, but about 300 yards from registration in Miwok Mdws picnic area.

For more race details visit the John Lawson Tamalpa Challenge Website or email the RD at [email protected]