
From the Organizer
“Beginning July 1, 2024, the “Honest Pricing Law” or “Hidden Fees Statute,” SB 478, makes it illegal for businesses to advertise or list a price for a good or service that does not include all required fees or charges other than certain government taxes and shipping costs.”
RACE INFO: We are so excited to celebrate the 42nd annual Lake Chabot Trail Challenge Half Marathon and 5K. This race is well regarded amongst serious trail runners in the outlying areas. The race begins at 8am for the Half Marathon and 8:30am for the 5K. Please arrive early so that you may find parking, pick up your bibs, use restrooms facilities, and be properly prepared to race before the start. Race takes place rain or shine and there are no refunds.
RACE COURSE: The half marathon course is a scenic, hilly loop, mainly on dirt fire roads. The ridge-line views look down upon scenic Lake Chabot, surrounding grassy slopes, and eucalyptus groves. Mt. Diablo and San Francisco Bay are visible along the route. There are water stations with first aid and radio support; we recommend bringing your own hydration as well. The half marathon has a time limit of 3.5 hours. The 5k (3.1 miles) course is an out and back that has gentle rolling hills and consists mostly of paved surfaces. This route includes one water station with first aid and radio support.
RACE FEE: Pre-registered runners will be guaranteed a t-shirt if registered by Sunday, May 10th, 2026. The price for the 5K is $40 and Half Marathon $65. You must register by Saturday, June 6th. We will accept race day registration; however, the price for the 5K is $45 and Half Marathon $70. If you register on race day, we can only accept cash, check or Venmo.
There is a nominal fee (~$5) for Chabot parking lot. Free parking on Lake Chabot Rd and nearby streets.
RACE PACKET & BIB PICK-UP: We will have race packet and bib pick-up on Sunday, June 7th starting at 7am at the Willow picnic site which is also the finish line area. We will not be mailing out any race packets or bibs. Both races are chip-timed.
T-SHIRT: Entry fee includes short sleeve, high quality t-shirts for registrations by May 10th so sign-up early. There are no guarantee of t-shirts for runners registered after that date and on race day. We ask for those who did not get a shirt to check in after the race. Please ensure that you select the appropriate t-shirt size. We will not be doing any size exchanges from your original request.
AWARDS: Finisher's medals to those who complete their race. Age division medals given to the top 3 in each of 12 age divisions in the half marathon and 9 age divisions in the 5K.
Photos: Race photos are being provided by Darrell Lavin of Darrell Lavin Photography. You will receive an email post-race for instructions on how to access and purchase official race photos.
QUESTIONS: If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Lunt at teamlunt07@gmail.com.
DIRECTIONS: The entrance closest to the event's parking lot is: 17404 Lake Chabot Road, Castro Valley, CA 94546. On Google Maps, this will appear as "Entry of Lake Chabot Parking Space." The registration area and start lines are just a few minutes walk from the lot ( just follow the signs).
Distances & Pricing
Race Location
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The half marathon is the distance where you find out what you're actually made of. Long enough to demand real preparation. Short enough that it doesn't consume your life to train for it. Most people who run their first half describe it as the race that changed their relationship with what they're capable of. Once you cross this finish line, the bar moves. That's not a warning — that's the point.
Race day energy varies by event size, but the finish line feeling is the same regardless. Big races keep the noise going the whole way. Smaller races give you stretches where it's just you and the miles — and that solitude becomes its own kind of fuel.
The half marathon rewards people who show up for the boring training miles.
How long to train: 10–14 weeks. If you're already running consistently, 10 weeks of structured buildup is enough. If you're building from a casual base, give yourself 14.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
The Cedar Grove Scamper - Presented by Chico Running Club
Daddy Daughter Dance: Beauty and the Beast
San Clemente Ocean Festival
Cupertino Splash and Dash #2
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
2026 Lake Chabot Trail Challenge (Half Marathon & 5K)
Jun 7, 2026