F.A.Q.

ENTRY INCLUDES:

• Run your race category
• Collectible finisher medal
• Official race shirt
• Official finisher certificate
• FREE race photos
• Chip timed results
• Awesome volunteer support
• On-course aid-station support
• One finisher beer (21 & over)
• Finish line water & food
• Event insurance
• Prize for top finishers
• An awesome race experience!

There will only be race day check-in on Saturday, starting at 6:00 AM at the race start/finish line area.

East Walker Ranch Open Space
16723 Placerita Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91321

View Directions

All event parking is inside East Walker Ranch Open Space, right by the race festival. View the Directions page for instructions and maps.

Race day parking: $20 (Cash only)

IMPORTANT: There is absolutely NO PARKING on Placerita Canyon Road, cars will be ticketed and/or towed at your expense.

View Directions

Yes, carpooling with friends is the best! Parking space is limited, to help ensure there is enough parking, we encourage participants to carpool to the race. If you are doing the race with friends or family then hook up and ride in one car together. Nothing beats carpooling with good friends and family!

View Directions

The scheduled times are as follows:

• 8:00 AM - Race starts in waves

*Note that final race day start times may vary. 

View Schedule

Yes. In order to receive your runner bib and goodie bag, you will need to turn in a signed waiver and show your ID. You may download and print the waiver ahead of time and bring it with you to help expedite your check-in. If you don't have a printer, there will be waivers available at the check-in.

 Download 2027 Waiver

Even though the race is fully chip‑timed for official results, every runner will also use our on‑course leaderboards to track their completed loops. Leaderboards will be available for all distances that complete more than one loop, plus the 6 and 12‑hour categories and relay teams. This gives you a quick, visual way to see your progress lap by lap.

As you finish each loop:

• Stop at the leaderboard for your race category
• Find your name—the list is in alphabetical order by first name
• Mark off your newly completed lap
• Head back out

It takes only a few seconds and is highly recommended. For accuracy and fairness, only the runner may mark their own laps.

We’ll provide a selection of colored Sharpies, but bringing your own marker—or even a small personal stamp—is encouraged. Having your own color makes it easier to spot your row and watch your progress grow throughout the race.

Leaderboards will be organized by distance and time category, with runners listed alphabetically for easy lookup.

This is an honor system—there is no cheating in this race. What you put into it is what you will get out of it.

Here's an example of a past leaderboard sheet from our Silver Moon Race.

Relay teams consist of 2 or 4-team members and can run in the 30K, 60K fixed distance, or 6 or 12-hour fixed time races.

 TEAM ROTATION

Relay team members need to determine their set rotation order before starting. Who will run first, second, third, etc. This order needs to remain consistent as the team completes their loops.

Each team member takes turns completing laps in their rotation in the following order of the three course loop colors: ORANGE > YELLOW > BLUE. Think of each loop as a partial leg of the relay, and all 3 completed loops as a whole leg.

Example for a 2-person relay team completing loops in the correct sequence:

1. Member #1: ORANGE loop
2. Member #2: ORANGE loop
3. Member #1: YELLOW loop
4. Member #2: YELLOW loop
5. Member #1: BLUE loop
6. Member #2: BLUE loop

This completes each runner doing the full course, which is approximately 15K, with each of the 3 loops completed once. Now repeat this process in the same sequence until reaching the relay team distance or goal.

An alternative option for long-distance relay teams. The team members can choose to complete the full course (ORANGE > YELLOW > BLUE) for each leg before rotating team members. For example:

1. Member #1: ORANGE > YELLOW > BLUE loops
2. Member #2: ORANGE > YELLOW > BLUE loops

This also achieves the same goal of completing the full course for each member. The difference is the longer running time and longer resting period between relay team member exchanges.  This method can make more sense for the longer distance or 12-hour category when runners want to get the full 15K course in for their lap.

No matter which option you choose, communication is key. Make sure everyone knows:

• Who is running next
• Approximately when they’ll need to be ready
• Each runner’s pace, so you can estimate how long a lap will take

It's helpful to write down each runner's expected pace for each loop and set up a timer or alarm for a few minutes less than their pace as each person starts their lap.

 TEAM MEMBER EXCHANGE

To ensure proper chip timing and lap completion in the correct order, the relay team member exchange must occur in the race corral before the start/finish arch.

STARTING LAP:

• Team members need to be ready to jump into the start corral when their team member finishes their lap.
• They must put on the slap band for the loop color they are going to run: ORANGE, YELLOW, BLUE. This helps remind you at the main fork on which course color to follow.
• They must cross the timing mat to get their start-of-lap time.

FINISHING LAP:

• Team members finishing their lap need to mark off their completed lap on the leaderboard.
• Then cross the timing mats to get their end-of-lap time.
• Exit the course.
• Remove the slap band for the completed loop and give it to the next runner.

UNEVEN LAPS

Relay teams are encouraged to split laps as evenly as possible, but real race days don’t always go perfectly—and that’s totally okay. Sometimes a teammate is feeling strong and wants to take on extra laps, and sometimes someone isn’t at their best and needs to scale back. Flexibility is part of the fun. What matters most is working together, adjusting as you go, and doing whatever helps your team reach its overall goal. If the team does run uneven laps, be sure to mark off the leaderboard laps correctly for each team member.

 RELAY TEAM REGISTRATION

Relay teams register once as a team with one single payment. The team leader will need to collect entry fees and information from each team member and register the entire team with one payment.

For relay teams and solo runners in the 6 or 12-hour categories. When reaching the final hour of your race, you need to determine your final lap(s) to run.

Depending on how much time is left, you can choose one of the three loops to run, even if out of sequence.

TIME BEFORE 6/12-HOUR CUT-OFF:

• 60-45 minutes: Okay to run ORANGE, YELLOW, or BLUE loop.
• 45-30 minutes: Okay to run ORANGE or BLUE loop.
• 30-15 minutes: Only run BLUE loop.
• 15-0 minutes: Do not run. You are finished.

It is okay if you go past the cut-off time while on the final lap. The total distance will be counted.

NOTE: If you do run the final loop out of your normal sequence, mark the correct loop color on the leaderboard, and you must notify the timing booth of which loop you ran for the final lap.

If you have registered your team and one of the registered team members can't make it to the race, simply submit a team member change request so we can get the correct information for the new team member in our system, and they can check in at the race.

Incomplete relay teams can still participate in the race as a relay team and still earn a medal, however, to keep everything fair they will not qualify for top relay team trophies.

The Santa Clarita Trail Race is a cupless event, we are trying to be as green as possible and create minimal waste. This means we will avoid using disposable cups at aid stations.

Please help us on race day, bring your own collapsible cup, water bottle, or hydration pack for the race. You can refill water on the course stations.  To help you prepare, we have compiled a list of mandatory and recommended gear for running the race.

View Recommended Gear

Below you will find a list of mandatory and recommended items for running the race. To help you prepare, we have compiled a list of mandatory and recommended gear for running the race.

Mandatory Items

• A collapsible cup, runner's water bottle, or hydration pack for water, electrolytes, soda, or other fluids at the aid stations. We will not provide cups at the aid stations.
• Minimum 500 calories of emergency food such as gels or energy bars
• Cell phone
• Course map or electronic map downloaded to your phone

Recommended Items

• Trail running shoes
• Running hat, visor, sunglasses
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Personal medicine/salt capsules
• Elastic bandage
• Whistle
• Garmin/GPS tracking
• Camera (optional)
• The mind of a champion!

Post Race Items

• Water
• Recovery drink, we highly recommend coconut water!
• Refueling food or snacks
• Towel
• Change of clothes
• Cash

View Recommended Gear

Ready to take it to the next level? Challenge yourself by wearing a weighted ruck (backpack or special vest with weights) throughout the entire race and earn a coveted Ruck Division patch after finishing.

Simply add on Ruck Division when registering for your entry. If already registered, you can submit an add-on request to your entry via our Contact page.

Recommended weight is 30lb for men and 20lb for women.

VIEW RUCK DIVISION

The cut-off times are as follows:

• 5K cut-off is 2-hours*
• 10K cut-off is 3-hours*
• 15K cut-off is 4-hours*
• 30K cut-off is 6-hours*
• 60K cut-off is 12-hours

*These are the recommended cut-off times and are soft as long as you finish by 8:00 PM on Saturday. With races starting at 8:00 AM, all distances need to be done by 8:00 PM Saturday evening when the race ends, allowing for a maximum of 12-hours of running time.

If you are a slow runner or tend to walk a lot, we do not recommend doing the 60K race as is very challenging and will take longer than expected.

Study your course map and elevation to best prepare for a spectacular trail race experience and meet the cut-off times for your goal.

View Course

Yes. The course will be marked with ORANGE, YELLOW, and BLUE colored flags staked into the ground and/or flagging tape tied to branches, bushes, and grass. At intersections or key turning points, extra flags and flags with red directional arrows leading into forks and turns.

If you don't see any flags for about 300-500 feet, then you have most likely gone off course.

In addition to flagging tape, there will be A-frame signs at stations and key locations to help make sure you turn in the right direction and to guide you on the correct course loop of ORANGE, YELLOW, or BLUE. Study the maps and elevation profile for your distance!

View Course

Yes and No. We have used a combination of GPS tracking, Google Maps, Strava, and Hello Drifter route tracking to create the course loops to calculate each distance. Usually, the GPS data is fairly accurate. However, there are challenges in properly tracking the distance when going up or down hills and into canyons, where GPS tracking can be lost. Because of this, there are always discrepancies in the final distance.

Often, with trail races, you have to work with what nature provides, and sometimes that means that making a trail race course will be a little shorter or longer than the target distances. We want the course to be easy to understand and follow without getting lost. The Course and Race Categories pages have the exact distances noted in both Miles and Kilometers.

Your GPS tracking data may show shorter or longer distances on race day. We have seen some variances in our tracking when running the same course sections.

View Races

View Course

Yes. You can download the GPX and KML tracks from the Course page in the GPS Tracks section for each course distance. The course tracks are also available to view on Google Maps, Strava, and Hello Drifter.

View Course

Yes. As this is a challenging endurance trail race and young runners must be in good shape, especially if considering to run the 30K or longer or the fixed time races. The minimum age requirements are:

• 12-years old to run the 5K
• 14-years old to run the 10K
• 16-years old to run the 30K and above or time races

Younger runners can run the race with approval from the Race Director. Young runners who wish to run the race should be accompanied by an adult and must request approval from the Race Director. Please contact the Race Director and provide information about their recent races or training that you feel will qualify them to run in the race.

Yes. You can accomplish anything you want as long as you set your mind to do it and train for it. The race is planned for participants of all abilities—including walkers and hikers. If you are new to trail running or this is your first trail race, we suggest doing the 5K or 10K distance and training with hills as much as possible to prepare for an awesome race.

Trail running in general can be more challenging as it consists of narrow dirt pathways, uneven surfaces, and hills to climb up and down, all of which require additional attention and focus while running. This race has a good, challenging climb at the start, plus there are additional hills and narrow single-track trails that provide good challenge throughout the course. It is those risks and challenges that are part of the adventure that make trail running so much fun! Please review the course maps, and elevation profile to better prepare for an awesome race!

View Course

Yes and No.

Yes, for runners doing multiple laps with longer distances and fixed-time races. There will be a gear drop station near the lap checkpoint area that will allow runners to access a bag between laps without getting off course.

No, there will not be a traditional gear drop for the shorter 5K, 10K, or 15K runners. Since the event parking is right next to the race festival, there will not be any gear drop options at this race.

Yes. There will be a total of three stations with water, electrolytes, energy chews or gels, salt tablets, and a variety of sweet and salty snacks, with a few key stations providing fresh fruit or foods. All stations will have a basic first aid kit for emergencies.

At the finish line, there will be water and a variety of snacks and food. Beer will also be available in the beer garden for those over 21 years old.

Please help us on race day by bringing your own collapsible cup, water bottle, or hydration pack for the race. Each aid station will include fresh water to refill your supply. Study the course maps to know where station locations are for your distance.

Proper hydration is essential when running any distance, but especially in long-distance races. One of the greatest dangers for runners is completing the race in a dehydrated state. We encourage runners to plan on being well-hydrated before and throughout the event.

View Course

Yes. There will be portable toilets by the start/finish line area. However, as this is a trail race, we are not able to guarantee bathrooms will be available on the course. If you have to go while running the race, simply jump off the course and go into the bushes. All stations will have toilet paper available if needed, but we recommend that you carry a few tissues just in case.

Yes. Due to the technical challenges of course sections with steep hills that impact all distances, trekking poles can be used at the race. If you plan to use poles, runners must use them responsibly, and safely. Be aware of runners around you, when passing or being passed to ensure poles are not in contact with runners or in the way.

View Recommended Gear

For your safety and the safety of all participants, we do not recommend wearing headphones while running a race. However, if you do, we ask that you keep the volume down at a safe level so you can hear other runners and instructions from event personnel.

As this race takes place on narrow single-track trails you need to be aware of other runners coming up behind you as well as being able to hear potential wildlife animals or even rattlesnakes. The important thing is paying attention to everyone’s safety and maintaining good trail race etiquette with other runners.

If you love to wear headphones while running then we can recommend using headphones that allow outside sound to pass through or bone-conducting headphones that do not cover your ears, these allow you to fully hear your surroundings while also listening to your favorite music or audio.

Early May usually offers some beautiful weather to run in Santa Clarita. The average high temperature is 77º with the average low at 52º. Plan for a cool morning start with pleasant temperatures during the day and cool temperatures when running into the night.

We recommend checking the weather forecast a week before the race so you can dress appropriately.

Dogs are not allowed in the main race. However, we do have a 1-mile hike on the shortest loop, and well-behaved dogs are welcome. See details on the Races page.

No. This is a trail course. Unauthorized wheelchairs, motorized vehicles, wheelchairs, and strollers are not permitted on the race course due to safety concerns.

Wheelchairs are allowed at the race festival for spectators. Please be aware that the festival and parking areas are rough dirt roads or field areas.

No. We will do our best to host the Santa Clarita Trail Race whether it’s sunny, raining, snowing, or anything in between. However, if there is severe weather then the race may be postponed and rescheduled, or cut short. The weather only adds to the adventure to make for an awesome race experience!

Yet, there are still potential risks that are beyond our control that could cause a race to be canceled or rescheduled for the safety of all participants and volunteers. We hope that will never happen, however, we do have an event cancellation policy.

The pre-race details go out via email. Usually, the email goes out to all registered participants on Monday or Tuesday before the race date.  A final pre-race email will go out by the end of the day on Thursday after online registration closes.

Be sure to add [email protected] to your email whitelist or favorite so it does not get caught in spam or the marketing folder. 

As this is a trail race there is always the risk of coming across wildlife including snakes, tarantulas, coyotes, deer, and even a rare mountain lion.

What to do if you see a snake?

If you see a snake while running, do not panic! Back away slowly and carefully looking for a way around. Also be sure to shout out "snake" and point out the location so other runners are aware and can carefully get around it. Snakes will generally leave you alone if they are not provoked. Simply left alone, snakes will continue on with their life, they do not actively seek out confrontations with any of their natural enemies, humans included. The number one reason people are bitten by venomous snakes throughout this country is because of the attempt to catch, kill, or tease them when we find them.

The race will be chip-timed for best accuracy using a MyLaps timing system with BibTag chips that are attached to the back of your race bib.  Results will be put up at the finish line for runners to see throughout the day. Final results will be posted on this website within 24-hours after the race.

To ensure your chip is tracked and timed correctly:

• Always keep your bib visible on the front; do not remove or cover it with a jacket or other clothing
• Do not bend or twist the BibTag
• Do not attach beside or under a zip: metal has a negative impact on the BibTag chip
• Do not wear on your back or side, or around your arm
• Do not cover the BibTag with your hand or arm when crossing the finish line:
  runners often do this when checking their watch when crossing the line
• Always remember that the mat must 'see' the number when you cross the finish
  line
• For long-distance and relay team runners who may change clothes between laps, it is recommended to use a bib belt.
• Do not separate the BibTag from the bib material

Yes. Distance change requests are available, the cut-off for all changes is 1-week before the race date. Submit a change request from the contact page and choose Subject: Change My Distance (Upgrade or Downgrade).

Live race changes during the race are available as well.  Runners can choose to upgrade or drop down mid-race. Upgrades need to be paid for on the spot at the timing booth.  For either option, runners need to notify the timing booth of their distance change.

Request Change

If you are traveling from out of town there are several hotels within about 15 minutes of driving to the start line. Below are nearby lodging options, also check Google search or on Airbnb for additional options.  Jump to the Lodging Map below for more options.

Hyatt Regency Valencia
24500 Town Center Dr, Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 799-1234
Use code: 193686 for the event group discount when booking.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Santa Clarita
27513 Wayne Mills Pl, Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 284-2101

Hilton Garden Inn Valencia Six Flags
27710 The Old Rd, Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 254-8800

La Quinta Inn & Suites Santa Clarita
25201 The Old Rd, Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381
(661) 286-1111

Unfortunately, due to the advanced planning and logistics, entry fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. As per the terms agreed upon registering, once we receive and accept your entry, you will not receive a refund if you cannot participate. Sorry, no exceptions.

However, the following options are available:

1. Change your entry to Virtual and receive your medal & swag in the mail.
2. Defer your entry to the following year ($40 processing fee).
3. Transfer your entry to another runner ($30 processing fee).
4. Forego your entry and receive a 50% credit towards any of our other races in California within the next year.

Requests MUST be submitted before the race date. Requests on or after the race date will not be honored. Entries that have been deferred once can not be deferred a second time.

You may not give or sell your number to anyone else without submitting an official transfer request as IDs are verified during check-in. If the ID does not match the name, they will not receive the bib and swag.

Please submit your request on the contact page.

No, it is not. While the parks and lands where races take place are open to the public. Those entering into the start/finish area or intentionally jumping into the race just after the start, using the marked course, racing against other runners, etc., are essentially freeloading off of the race and the other runners, regardless of whether they take aid station supplies, medals, or other race supplies.

Permits, insurance, and race materials for the event are obtained with a set number of participants planned and accounted for. Costs for events are also planned, taking into account those numbers and sharing the race costs among all entrants.

When people “hijack” or "bandit" a race, they jeopardize the race’s ability to come back, create the potential for problems for other runners trying to determine their place in the race, and for support personnel to identify participants and (if necessary) provide emergency support. Like shoplifting, being a race bandit does not cost the person taking anything, but the cost ultimately goes to the people who follow the rules and pay to run the race.

When you plan to run your virtual distance be sure to track your time with a Garmin or app such as Run Keeper. Then track your time and distance, once done, take a screengrab or photo showing your final time/distance and submit it to us so we can include it on the virtual runner results.

Submit Virtual Time

The virtual runner registration option is for runners who are physically unable to make it to a race on the scheduled race date, but still wish to train for and achieve a running goal as part of the race. This includes persons who live far from the race and those with schedules that simply will not allow them to be present on the scheduled date.

Virtual runners receive their medal and race materials via mail and then can report back on their run and share their accomplishments with other runners in the community. This can be done alone or with a group of runners.

Running remotely will never be as good as running in person at the actual event, but for those with no other options, it offers a way to stay connected to their running community to help them commit to and celebrate their running achievements.