Endurance Grid lists 40 trail running races in California, from August 2026 to June 2027 across 32 cities.
The lay of the land
The trail running race calendar in California is busiest in October, August, and September, with races most often in Los Angeles, Auburn, Oakland, and San Jose.
Trail running takes the sport off the pavement and onto dirt trails, singletrack, fire roads, and mountain paths. It’s quieter than a road race. Depending on the course, you might spend long stretches alone with the woods and your own breathing.
If you already run roads, trails are a natural next step, but they ask for different things: power on the climbs, control on the descents, and attention to every footfall. There’s a distance for every level, from a rolling trail 5K to 100-mile mountain ultras.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Endurance races in California happening in the next 7 days, in date order. Browse what’s coming up and sign up soon.