The road to your own record
Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.


THE DREAM
It is one of the longest-running 50Ks in the United States.
Starting at Lake Chabot Marina, the course makes a wide loop around East Bay Regional Park, climbs to Skyline Gate, and returns to the same location.
There is substantial climbing.
Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.
Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.
Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.
From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.
“As bad as I felt, I was able to finish somewhat strong.”The runner chased a fast time at the 2014 Skyline 50km but struggled with calf cramps and fading energy late in the race. Encouragement and food from aid-station volunteers helped them recover and finish in 5 hours, 7 minutes, 38 seconds, with a lesson in respecting every race distance.
“So I tried not to worry about it too much and just ran.”Work had left David Tran short on sleep before the Skyline 50km, but they trusted themselves on familiar course around Redwood Regional Park and Lake Chabot. Even when runners ahead went the wrong way, they didn't fixate on placing and poured everything into the final miles, finishing with their legs burning.
We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.
Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.
Bay Area 100 · Full recap
This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.
YOUR ENTRY
Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.
subject to change — verify officially
Organizer's pagesubject to change — verify officially
Organizer's pageRACE WEEK
Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.
From the 2026 edition| Event | Start |
|---|---|
| Ultra | 07:00 |
| Ultra | 07:00 |
| Half Marathon | 08:30 |
Runners start · local time — 50K 07:00 · Half 08:30
The Skyline 50K Endurance Run began in 1982 and is considered one of the longest-running 50-kilometer ultramarathons in the United States.
It is known as California’s longest-running 50K race and has been held continuously for more than 40 years—a history that remains one of the event’s greatest assets.
The start and finish are at Lake Chabot Marina in Castro Valley,
and course follows a large loop through the East Bay Regional Parks area, climbing to Skyline Gate before descending.
The race is part of the USATF Grand Prix Series and is an officially recognized event that awards UTMB Index points,
giving it strong credibility for race results.
But Skyline’s real appeal lies in its close ties to the local running community.
Several Bay Area running clubs, including Dusty Bottoms, Running for a Better Oakland, Lake Merritt Joggers and Striders,
and Pamakids, help support the aid station each year, and this volunteer tradition has sustained the event’s atmosphere for decades.
The 2026 race will be held in honor of longtime former race director Ken Gregorich.
With beautiful trails, challenging climbs, and a finish that leaves you feeling like you truly accomplished something,
this event is also considered an approachable introductory course for runners taking on their first ultramarathon.
Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.
BART Castro Valley station, then roughly a 3-mile taxi/rideshare or AC Transit bus 601 to Lake Chabot Marina, 17936 Lake Chabot Rd, the race start
Bay Area transit runs on the Clipper card, sold/reloaded at BART stations, Walgreens, or the Clipper app;
foreign contactless bank cards do tap directly at BART faregates and AC Transit fareboxes via the Clipper-on-contactless program.
BART from San Francisco to Castro Valley runs about USD 5-6, and AC Transit is about USD 2.50, but service to the park entrance is infrequent,
so a taxi/rideshare for the final stretch is more reliable given the early race start.
Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.
The 2026 race will be held on Sunday, August 2, at Lake Chabot Marina in Castro Valley.
The 50K starts at 7:00 AM, while the accompanying half marathon (21K) starts at 8:30 AM.
Every finisher receives a race shirt, event-specific socks, and a finisher finisher medal,
while the top three overall and in each age group receive separate awards.
The Entry fee and exact time limit times are announced each year on the official UltraSignup registration page, so be sure to check them before registering.
Note also that deferrals are not permitted within 30 days of the race.
Since this is a trail course, trail shoes and personal hydration equipment are recommended.
Given that most aid station volunteers are members of local running clubs, thanking them after you finish is also considered part of Skyline’s culture.
Times are local to Castro Valley. Check the latest official information before the race.
STAY A LITTLE
From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.
Distances are straight-line from the start/finish area.
Check real travel times and booking terms with each hotel.
Hotel · 2.8km
View on Booking.comHotel · 2.8km
View on Booking.comHotel · 4.2km
View on Booking.comHotel · 2.5km
View on Booking.comHotel · 3.8km
View on Booking.comAccommodation · 2.7km
View on Booking.comAccommodation · 2.1km
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Rest a little, wander a little.
Pick what suits you and whoever you're with.
$46
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Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post
Not officially announced yet.
It's expected in August 2027;
the 2026 race was held on Sun, August 2, 2026.
Not announced yet. The 2026 race entry fee was about $105.
Ultra. (From the 2026 edition)
The race starts at 50K 07:00 · Half 08:30. (From the 2026 edition)
Lake Chabot Marina. (From the 2026 edition)