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Check out the 2025 race pictures to see what you can expect here!
Calistoga Mountain Run: Where the Trail Meets the Sky
Join us in Calistoga for the Calistoga Mountain Run—four races that embody the true spirit of mountain running. Whether you choose the 50k, 35k, Half Marathon, or 10k, you’ll experience what mountain running really means: running, walking, and scrambling through rugged terrain, applying the most efficient technique to each section as you climb toward Mt. St. Helena. Each distance offers its own equally challenging and visually spectacular journey through natural mountain landscapes.
Formerly known as Napa Valley Endurance Run, this race is as close as you’ll come to a skyrunning experience in California. The 50k is often talked about as the hardest race around—and for good reason. The 35k delivers skyrunning intensity in a slightly shorter package. The Half Marathon is truly one of a kind: a mountain half that climbs relentlessly through some of the most stunning terrain in Northern California. And the 10k offers a perfect introduction to the demands and rewards of mountain running. This is an incredible challenge, a bucket-list mountain run, not a day trip to the spa. You’ll find the Calistoga Mountain Run to be fulfilling in its own right, the kind of course that sets you up for a great racing year. Broken Arrow, UTMB, and Western States runners all pass through Calistoga Mountain.
UTMB INDEX
As in past years, Calistoga Mountain Run is a UTMB Index Race for the Ultra Tour de Mont Blanc. The 50k, 35k, and Half Marathon are all UTMB Index races.
Here's what you're in for (press 'Flyover'):
These charts appear for each race
on our website.
Course and Aid
No doubt about it -- these are challenging runs. The race starts and finishes on the Great Lawn in the Calistoga Fairgrounds and takes you to the Oat Hill Mine trailhead right off of the Silverado Trail. Oat Hill Mine Trail is a long, grinding fire road. At the top, you'll turn onto the Palisades Trail, which is a very technical trail with stunning views. Midway is the Palisades Aid Station which we deliver by ATV to the middle of the mountain. You'll be shocked it's there. The half marathon turns around here. 50k and 35k runners proceed on to Lasky Point, Table Rock, and onto Highway 29, where the 35k turns around. 50k runners continue on single track which gives way to fire road on the pleasant ascent of Mount St. Helena Trail.
The 50k has over 7,500 of elevation as shown here in the elevation profile. For additional maps and other race information including aid placement and elevation profiles, as well as GPX files and Strava charts visit our website and click on the course tab.
50k runners hit fully stocked aid stations 5 times during the run, with stations positioned along the trail and then at the intersection with Hwy 29. 35k runners have 3 aid station stops. half marathon runners have one aid station at the midway point of the race, plus a hit of water at the bottom of Oat Hill Mine. 10k runners -- c'mon, it's just 10k! You'll have water twice at the bottom of Oat Hill Mine.
While aid is plentiful, limited access to the Palisades Trail means that there are up to 6 miles between stations. We recommend all runners carry 40oz of water and additional nutrition. Gels will be available at the start.
Cutoffs While there are no hard cutoffs in this race, 50k runners who do not reach the Hwy 29 aid station by 11:45 will be instructed to run the 20 35k course. This ensures that all runners will finish, safely before 6:30pm.
PLEASE NOTE that there are no drops in this race. We do not run a shuttle for people from Highway 29. If you choose to drop there, you'll need to wait for a volunteer who is going down the mountain, or please make plans with your race team.
For a deeper dive on race details, please visit our website and look under COURSE and RACE DAY.
After Running
Napa Valley Endurance Run starts and finishes on the Great Lawn at the Calistoga Fairgrounds, where we will fill you with food and good cheer. The location is central to Calistoga so your family can visit this charming town while you run. Then, they can come watch you run down the street and into the finish. Everyone is welcome for food and drink after the run.
Awards and Schwag
All finishers receive a custom finishers medal as well as a t-shirt. There are awards for the top 3 finishers, by gender, in each race. In races with a field of more than 50 runners, Scena offers awards for Age Group winners, as well, in 10-year divisions.
Getting and Staying Here
Napa Valley Endurance Run starts and finishes in Calistoga, California at the top of Napa Valley. For more places to stay and other great ideas during your visit, check-in with our friends at Visit Calistoga!
Refund Policy
Generally, we don't offer refunds. Outside of 30 days, you can defer to a future year or another Scena race. For refunds and other policies, including what happens if there's a natural disaster, visit the Policies section of our website.
About Scena Performance
Scena Performance presents classic races like Skyline 50k, and Dick Collins Firetrails in Oakland, CA and creates new ones like Bay Area 100. Our aim is to take you someplace new and reward you with great running, food, and friends.
See you out there?
#enjoythejourney
Event's current local time: 8:30 AM PT
