UltraRunning Magazine, the “Voice of the Sport” for over 40 years, is proud to announce our first foray into race production and management with the historic Tamalpa Headlands 50k on Saturday, August 19, 2023 in the Marin Headlands and Mount Tamalpais State Park, just a stone’s throw across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco.
Founded in 1998, the 21st edition of the race will return to the treasured Santos Meadow adjacent to Muir Woods, where the event was staged as the 2013, 2015 and 2016 USATF 50k National Championship. Featuring some of Marin County’s most famous trails — Coastal, Miwok, Steep Ravine and Dipsea — runners are provided with a spectacular setting for a single loop, world-class ultramarathon. Only minutes from downtown San Francisco, the Tamalpa Headlands 50k presented by UltraRunning Magazine is a demanding ultra with approximately 6,500 feet of elevation gain.
There will be a podium prize purse of $3,500 presented by rnnr split evenly between the women and men, as well as age-group podium prizes, mid-pack and back-of-the-pack awards, plus a free kids race.
Megan Roche, the 2016 50k National Champion and course record holder said, “This course is one of my all-time favorites — it’s got a little bit of everything from fast running, to slightly techy descending, to classic Headlands views. I would love to race it every year, either as a ‘send it as fast as possible’ mission or simply as a meaningful adventure with great aid stations and a fun finish.”
Andy Wacker, the men’s course record holder and 2016 National Champion echoed Roche’s sentiments. “Tamalpa Headlands is the epitome of fast, rolling California trails. It’s a rollercoaster on single track. You get a diverse trail experience in just 50k, cruising through redwoods and eucalyptus trees, traversing coastal meadows and peaking glimpses of the Golden Gate. I loved racing Tamalpa Headlands and I’m excited it’s back.”
Local runner and the 2013 National Champion Alex Varner added, “I’m super excited to see the Headlands 50k back on the race calendar for 2023. It was my first ultra ever and traverses some of the best trails the Headlands have to offer. I had such a fun experience there so it’s really a welcome development that this is back in action.”
Race Director, Jeffrey Stern, ran his first ultra at the 2017 event and is honored to take over the leadership of the race. “I’ve been running ultras for half a decade now and to be able to give back to the community that means so much to me, in a place that I was so fortunate enough to grow up in, really means more than anything. I’m so excited to bring back the beloved Tamalpa Headlands 50k this August.”
Read more about the race’s history and register for the Saturday, August 19 Tamalpa Headlands 50k presented by UltraRunning Magazine here.
Connect with us on Instagram, Strava, Twitter, Facebook or at headlands50k.com.
Contact Jeffrey with questions at [email protected]
Race sponsors: Tamalpa Runners, rnnr, Kahtoola, Injinji, Art2Life, Victory Sports Design, Headlands Brewing, Bungalow Munch, GU Energy, S!Caps, Verity Physical Therapy, Thoroughbred, Mt. Tam Sport & Spine, Tailwind, Squirrels Nut Butter, Best Day Brewing, Long Run Coffee and San Francisco Running Company.