Upcoming Trail Running Races in California

Endurance Grid lists 47 trail running races in California, from October 2026 to October 2027 across 35 cities.

47
Races
35
Cities

Trail Running Races in California

The trail running race calendar in California is busiest in November, April, and May, with races most often in Castro Valley, Oakland, San Diego, and San Jose.

What trail running is

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

How many trail running races are in California?
Endurance Grid's Race Calendar lists 47 upcoming trail running races in California across 35 cities, from October 2026 to October 2027.
What trail running distances are offered in California?
Trail running races in California include 1 Mile, 10 Mile, 100K, 10K, 15K, 1K, 2 Mile / 3K, 25–50 mi, and more distances.
When is trail running season in California?
Trail Running season in California runs spring through fall. Of the upcoming trail running races on Endurance Grid's Race Calendar, the most are in November and April.
Which California cities have trail running races?
Trail running races in California are held in Castro Valley, Oakland, San Diego, San Jose, Auburn, Avalon, Los Angeles, Susanville, Agoura Hills, and Aqua Dulce, plus 25 other cities.

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