3 events in Contra Costa County, California

This is the race your momma warned you about! The half marathon cannot be described as "flat and fast" or "good for beginners" or with any other nice phrase. In fact, the phrases most commonly used to describe it would be unprintable. But...once you finish the course, you will have experienced trails and seen views that few others ever will. And you will have a lifetime of bragging rights!

The Rocky Ridge Half Marathon is the finale for the 2025/2026 Ultra Half Marathon Series (series participation is not necessary to enter race).

The 10K and 5K are not quite as intense as the half marathon, but don't worry, those runners will also be challenged with some hills and rewarded with some rarely-seen vistas.

If you are one of those brave souls ready to face either victory occasion and face this beast, come join us!

The East Bay's most scenic descent.

13.1 miles descending from Mt. Diablo, finishing where open-space beauty meets Walnut Creek's relaxed, upscale energy. A new race from the team that has produced East Bay events since 1995.

Registration includes the following:

• Custom Wrist Band for all AM access

• Scenic Bus Transfer to Summit Start

• Warm Beverages on the Mountain

• Bib w/ Chip Timing

• Custom Shirt

• Custom Finishers Medal

• Morning Welcome & Goodie Bag on bus

• Cold Weather Bag Transported to Finish

• Gloves & Mylar Blanket

• Warm Lunch Served at Finish Line

• Post-Race Shuttle Service

Start above the clouds. Finish in the park, surrounded by Walnut Creek energy.

From high on Mt. Diablo State Park, the course descends along quiet park roads, passes through the oak-dotted Diablo foothills, and continues into Walnut Creek's tree-lined neighborhoods before finishing at Arbolado Park.

• Closed course, no spectators allowed in the park

• Four aid stations with water, electrolytes and fruit

• Pace teams from 1:30 to 2:30.

A race worth flying in for.

Start at sunrise:

Gather above the clouds at 3,849 ft as the sun comes up over the East Bay hills.

All downhill, all real:

A point-to-point course through Mt. Diablo State Park with a steady 3,664 ft descent.

A finish you'll feel:

Cross under the arch at Arbolado Park to a custom medal and a well-earned finish-line celebration. After 13.1 unforgettable miles from the summit, this is your moment to take it in, catch your breath, and celebrate the descent.

Built by locals:

Produced by Team Blue Sky Events in partnership with the City of Walnut Creek since 1995.

Event overview:

Saturday, April 24, 2027. The 13.1-mile course starts on Mt. Diablo at 3,849 ft and finishes at Arbolado Park in downtown Walnut Creek, dropping 3,664 ft along closed park roads and quiet residential streets.

The race is produced by Team Blue Sky Events in partnership with the City of Walnut Creek. Field size is capped at 1344 to keep the experience uncrowded from start corral to finish festival.

Packet Pickup:

Packets can be mailed to any registered runner for an additional fee, selected at sign-up. Otherwise, pick up your packet at one of the windows below. There is no race-morning pickup; runners who do not mail their packet or attend a pickup will forfeit their registration.

Saturday, April 17 / 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM / Location TBD

Sunday, April 18 / 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM / Location TBD

Friday, April 23 / 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM / Location TBD

On race day:

Parking & shuttles

Parking & shuttles (pre-race)

All registered runners park at 2125 Oak Grove Rd., Walnut Creek. Your race confirmation assigns a wristband, a bus number, and a departure time of either 5:30 AM or 7:00 AM. Wristbands are required to board, and bus assignments cannot be changed.

Once you have your cold-weather bag, board the return shuttle at the corner of Oak Grove and Arbolado Drive with your wristband on. Shuttles run back to the morning parking lot. Specific return-shuttle timeframes will be posted closer to race day. On the mountain & at the finish.

Parking & shuttles (post-race)

Gear Check:

Dress warm. A cold-weather bag drop is set up in the staging area at the summit; place your gear in the bib-numbered bag and it will be transported to the finish line for pickup after the race.

Warm refreshments at the summit:

Hot drinks and refreshments are served at the top of the mountain for all registered runners before the start.

Photos:

Course photographers are stationed at the summit, along the course, and at the finish line. Smile for the camera.

Finish festival:

After you cross the line, a hot lunch and refreshments are served before you enter the festival area to meet our sponsors and vendors.

Race Results:

Live timing posts during the race and stays available indefinitely. Search by name or bib number to find your splits, gun time, and chip time.

Awards:

Age-group awards will be presented after the race, with medals given to the top three male and female finishers in each age division.

18 & Under

19–24

25–29

30–34

35–39

40–44

45–49

50–54

55–59

60–64

65–69

70–74

75–79

80+

Recap & Photos:

After the race, all runners will receive a link to preview and purchase photos taken of them during the run. A short race recap and top-finisher highlights will also be published on this page. Talk to the race team.

Aid stations

Aid stations are positioned every three miles on the course, beginning at mile 3. Each station includes water, electrolyte, and fruit as well as basic first-aid supplies.

Course details

This is a paved course from start to finish. All runners have 3 hours and thirty minutes to complete the 13.1-mile point-to-point race. After the 3-hour and thirty minute mark, the course sweep team will pick up any remaining runners and bring them to the finish line. No exceptions.

Road closures

North Gate Road and Summit Road within Mt. Diablo State Park will be fully closed to vehicle traffic while runners are on the roadway.

After runners reach the park exit gate at approximately mile 11, participants will continue in the westbound lanes of North Gate Road. The eastbound lanes will be used for two-way, pilot-escorted vehicle traffic. Barricades will separate runners from traffic, and for your safety, you must remain to the right of these cones at all times while on North Gate Road.

On Arbolado Drive, runners will also use the westbound lanes and must stay on the left side of the roadway as they approach the finish line at Arbolado Park.

Race volunteers and police officers will be stationed at key intersections and course turns to direct runners and manage traffic as needed. Please follow their instructions at all times to help ensure a safe race experience.

Medical

Each aid station will have basic first-aid supplies available, including bandages, moleskin, Vaseline, anti-inflammatory medication, and other common runner-support materials. Participants needing assistance may stop at any aid station and ask the volunteers for help.

SAG vehicles will be staged along the course to respond to emergencies and assist runners who are unable to continue to the finish. A full-service medical tent will also be available at the finish line.

Race questions, sponsorship inquiries, partnership ideas, or press requests. We respond within one business day. Submissions are routed to [email protected]