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Skyline 50k Endurance Run race photo

Skyline 50k Endurance Run

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

Skyline 50k Endurance Run race photo
Skyline 50k Endurance Run race photo
Castro Valley
US
John at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0Lights and freedom · CC BY-SA 4.0Mercurywoodrose · CC BY-SA 3.0
Race date Aug expected
August 2027
City · Distance
Castro Valley · 50km
Entry fee
$105From the 2026 edition
2027Date August 2027 · expected · Soon
2026Date Aug 2, 2026 · Entry fee $105 · Start 07:00
Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

About Skyline 50k Endurance Run — what makes it special

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

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.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

Skyline 50k Endurance Run runner reviews and race reports

Stories from those who ran it first.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 2
jimmy76macRan in 2014 · Finish time 5:07:38
“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.

David Tran
“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.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

Full recap

Bay Area 100 · Full recap

View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to enter Skyline 50k Endurance Run — registration routes

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

From the 2026 edition
Official race websiteEntry options
From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

Skyline 50k Endurance Run course map and elevation

The 50km I'll run

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

From the 2026 edition
Runners start · local timeFrom 07:00
EventStart
Ultra07:00
Ultra07:00
Half Marathon08:30
START

Lake Chabot Marina

Start · Google Maps
FINISH

Lake Chabot Marina

Finish · Google Maps
Show more

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.

Participant benefits

shirt

socks

medal

Where and when to collect your Skyline 50k Endurance Run race bib

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

From the 2026 edition
Stations & transport near the venue

Getting to the start

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

Stations & transport near the venue

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.

READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

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.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Hotels near the Skyline 50k Endurance Run start line in Castro Valley

Hotels that make race morning easy

7 places

Distances are straight-line from the start/finish area.
Check real travel times and booking terms with each hotel.

The start and finish are in the same place
We picked stays around that one spot.

Swipe sideways to see more hotels.

View on map →

Time for you, before and after the finish

43 experiences

Rest a little, wander a little.
Pick what suits you and whoever you're with.

Muir Woods & Sausalito Tour (including Bay Cruise / Departing from San Francisco)

$134

View on Klook

San Francisco Bus & Boat Adventure Full-Day Tour

$101

View on Klook

Private Custom San Francisco Tour - Sunset or Night (Up to 6 People)

$331

View on Klook

San Francisco Luxury Catamaran Sunset Cruise Tour

$85

View on Klook

Mission District Small-Group Street Food Tour (Half Day)

$86

View on Klook

San Francisco North Beach & Little Italy Walking Food Tour

$87

View on Klook

San Francisco North Beach Gourmet Ghost Food Tour

$100

View on Klook

Napa Valley Wine & Food Tasting Tour from San Francisco

$302

View on Klook

Cable Car Museum & Chinatown San Francisco Half-Day Small-Group & City Highlights Tour

$133

View on Klook

Alcatraz Day Tour & Aquarium + Muir Woods & Sausalito

$221

View on Klook

Alcatraz Visit + San Francisco Electric Bike Tour (2 Days)

$185

View on Klook

Guided Bike Tour from the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito

$67

View on Klook

Alcatraz + Golden Gate Bridge Bike Tour (2 Days)

$149

View on Klook

San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge Full-Day Bike Rental (Map Included)

$41

View on Klook

Golden Gate Bridge Bike Tour (Muir Woods & Sausalito)

$215

View on Klook

Alcatraz Island, Muir Woods & Sausalito Shared Tour

$161

View on Klook

San Francisco Holiday Lights Private Tuk-Tuk Tour

$414

View on Klook

Tea and Dim Sum Food Tour in San Francisco’s Chinatown

$100

View on Klook

San Francisco Chinatown and North Beach Gourmet Evening Walking Tour

$97

View on Klook

San Francisco North Beach Half-Day Cultural Walking Tour

$90

View on Klook

Alcatraz Ticket & Ferry (Including North Beach Guided Walking Tour)

$80

View on Klook

Total cost and budget for Skyline 50k Endurance Run

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

Once saved, you can open this page without an internet connection

Runner stories and questions about Skyline 50k Endurance Run

RUN TOGETHER

With runners who dream of
the same start line.

Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post

Castro Valley runners' room

Frequently asked questions about Skyline 50k Endurance Run

FAQ
When does Skyline 50k Endurance Run 2027 take place?

Not officially announced yet.

It's expected in August 2027;

the 2026 race was held on Sun, August 2, 2026.

How much is the Skyline 50k Endurance Run 2027 entry fee?

Not announced yet. The 2026 race entry fee was about $105.

What distances does Skyline 50k Endurance Run 2027 offer?

Ultra. (From the 2026 edition)

What time does Skyline 50k Endurance Run 2027 start?

The race starts at 50K 07:00 · Half 08:30. (From the 2026 edition)

Where does Skyline 50k Endurance Run 2027 finish?

Lake Chabot Marina. (From the 2026 edition)

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