21ST Annual
21st Annual Garin Park XC Challenge is a running race on October 3, 2026 in Hayward, CA, with an entry fee of $25.
From the Organizer
Take on the hills of the Garin Park XC Challenge in one of the beloved East Bay Regional Parks. Complete with stunning views, challenging climbs, and a few gopher holes to keep your wits alive, this ~5k XC race will make your quads burn like the ends of a beef brisket, and your lungs rethink their purpose in life. After your heart consults Webster's to make sure it does indeed have the correct definition of myocardial infarction, it will bask in the glory of a flat ~0.5 mile stretch into the finish where it feels all the love.
A staple on the USATF Pacific Association (PA) Cross Country Grand Prix, this event is finally old enough to have a beer (legally)!
Come join in the fun!
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
76°
Typical Low
56°
Chance of Rain
6%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Hayward Air Terminal, 5 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
159,201
as of 2023
City Elevation
881 ft
Nearest Airport
OAK
San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport · 11 mi
Time Zone
Pacific Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at 21st Annual Garin Park XC Challenge, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
66
Days to train
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From Endurance Grid
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.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
From 5K to marathon, running races are an accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
Beer City Half™ SLAM
5 miles away
10K On The Bay
6 miles away
Diwali Fun Run + Festival
5 miles away
ZombieRunner Quarry Lakes
5 miles away
Plan your trip
Coming from out of town? There's more to Hayward than race day. We'll help you line up nearby lodging, flights, a rental car, and things to do so you can make the most of your racecation.
Plan your trip to HaywardFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
21st Annual Garin Park XC Challenge
Oct 3, 2026