Saturday, Jul 22, 2023

Tough Mugu

9000 W. PCH

Malibu, CA 25k, 5-Miler

This Event Took Place Sat. Jul 22, 2023

Presented by SoCalTrail

Welcome to race #2 of the Bulldog Challenge Series!!

A beastly trail run with the most epic views!!

This event historically sells out...

This classic trail run offers competitive runners and outdoor lovers a chance to experience some of Southern California's finest coastal mountain trail running courses.

Finisher medals, overall winners and age group awards are handcrafted by local artists, the shirts are soft, a sweet design, and fit specific to women and men, and you get official bragging rights for next year's event.

Be part of the 5-mile event and watch the 25k runners start and finish while you head up the mountain on a fully-supported course.

Sip some coffee before the start, enjoy a hard-earned breakfast after the race, check out the post-race festival, or make runner friends in the beer garden while embellishing race stories. There'll be plenty of breakfast and places to sit for everyone. Stick around for the awards ceremony honoring the toughest runners!

A great effort is made to support the community by partnering with local businesses, small businesses, and minority-owned businesses.

The Tough Mugu is the 2nd race of the Bulldog Challenge.

Schedule:
5:45 am - Runner Check-in / Packet Pick-Up / Race Day Registration
7:00 am - 25k Start
7:30 am - 5-mile Start
8:30 am - Beer Garden Opens
8:45 am - Breakfast Served
9:30 am - Awards Ceremony Begins
11:30 am - Course Closed

Aid Stations:
Ray Miller - miles 2.9 & 12.8 (Skratch Hydration, water, ice, misters)
Four Corners - miles 4.8 & 10.8 (Skratch Hydration, water, ice, misters)
Mugu Peak - mile 8.5 (Cooling Station with water only)

CUT-OFF's:
8:25am Four Corners mile 4.8
9:55am Four Corners mile 10.8
10:30am Ray Miller at mile 12.8
11:30am Finish Line

The Bulldog Challenge Series

Earn the limited edition adidas TERREX Bulldog Challenge jacket when you complete all three events in one year!!

1. Start with the Red Rock Rumble 10k on June 22nd
2. Work your way up to the Tough Mugu 25k.
3. Get a finish at the Bulldog Ultra 50k on August 17th.

Points Series:
-Points are awarded based on your finish percentage time off the winner’s time.
-Longest distances from all 3 races in the whole series are scored (10k, 25k, 50k).

Overall female and male winners receive 2025 SoCalTrail season passes and the Bulldog Challenge Series Trophy.
Age Group female and male winners receive commemorative medals and entered into a drawing for 2025 Season Passes.

The Fun Stuff

Soft male shirts- or female tanks
Matching Finisher Medals hand-crafted by local artist
FREE Course Photos
Delicious Post-Race Meal
21+ Beer Garden
Certified Sports Massage by Vision For Enrichment
Coffee and/or Hot Cocoa
Finish line DJ Announcers and Music
Same Day Results

Overall Awards and 1/2/3 Age Group awards for both the 25k and 5-mile:
U20 / 20-29 / 30-39 / 40-49 / 50-59 / 60-69 / 70+

25k winner takes all $500 cash prize for the fastest overall runners in the 2024 Tough Mugu 25k (woman & man):

Must be present at Awards Ceremony to collect.

The Overall Top 3 women and men of the 5-mile and the 25k receive unique, locally made art pieces commemorating their 2024 Tough Mugu experience.

Male and female Age Group 1/2/3 podium places receive Pint Glass awards for both distances.

Winners of the 25k are invited to compete in the SoCalTrail Championships in December at the Crystal Cove Trail Run

A great effort is made to support the community by partnering with local businesses, small businesses, and minority-owned businesses.

Follow @SoCalTrail on Instagram and @SoCalTrailRuns on Facebook for official announcements.

5-Mile

Experience the beautiful Ray Miller Trail and it’s ocean views leading up to mountain vistas. Runners climb to the highest point on the trail to see Sycamore Canyon inland and the Pacific Ocean below, before dropping back onto the Ray Miller Trail for 2.6 miles of gracious switchbacks. This 5.3-mile course has roughly 1,000’ of vertical gain and loss.

Strava Route

Aid Stations serving Skratch Hydration and water located at mile:
3.0

25k

The Tough Mugu 25k course has all the elements of ideal, Southern California mountain running! Winding up from sea level, the famous Ray Miller Trail, leads the race above the coastline and onto mountain top fire roads, rolling valleys, and chaparral forest single track. Near the halfway point, the route around Mugu Peak rewards runners with epic views of the Channel Islands and Boney Mountain, before returning across the long valley. The final 5k cruises back down the Ray Miller switchbacks, determining who can finish strong.

The 25k course is equipped with four, fully-stocked aid stations and climbs a total of 2,601 feet.

Strava Route

Aid Stations serving Skratch Hydration and water located at miles:
2.9 - 4.8 - 10.8 - 12.8
Cooling Station with water only at mile 8.5

Directions & Parking

The Tough Mugu is located at La Jolla Group Campground in Point Mugu State Park.

Parking is FREE on PCH.
Limited On-Site Parking in the La Jolla Canyon parking lot available through UltraSignUp.

If coming from the South (Malibu):
- Turn North on Pacific Coast Highway until Thornhill Broom Campground
- Park diagonally on right side of road
- Keep off the road, behind the white line

If coming from the North (Ventura):
- Turn South on Pacific Coast Highway until Thornhill Broom Campground
- Park parallel on right side of road
- Safely U-Turn and park on inland side of road
- Keep off the road, behind the white line

Obey traffic laws, keep all wheels off the road, observe any "No Parking" signs, and respect the volunteer parking team.

Discounts and Volunteers

Volunteers from other SoCalTrail events can earn Race Credits for the Tough Mugu!!

To Volunteer at the Tough Mugu, or other SoCalTrail races, please email volunteer@socaltrail.events . We'd love to have you on the team!!

All volunteers get awesome race swag, meals, coffee/cocoa and massage.
Race credits to future SoCalTrail races are $15/hour and are transferrable to friends and family!

Please email volunteer@socaltrail.events

If you're an active Firefighter, Race Director or running group organizer please email info@socaltrail.events for your SoCalTrail discount code.

Sponsors

adidas TERREX - Footwear and Apparel

Run With Us Pasadena - Aid Station Support
15% off in-store with proof of registration (*some exceptions apply)

Vision For Enrichment - Post-Race Sports Massage at every SoCalTrail event!

Skratch Labs - Official On-Course Hydration

TrailFolx - Breaking down barriers of entry to mountain sports.

Event's current local time: 3:02 AM PT

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