2026 Calistoga Mountain Run
The 2026 Calistoga Mountain Run takes place on April 12, 2026, in Calistoga, California, USA, offering a challenging and scenic trail running experience through the rugged terrain of Mt. St. Helena in Napa Valley. The event is held at the Great Lawn, Calistoga Fairgrounds, with all race distances beginning at the Oat Hill Mine Trailhead off the Silverado Trail. On race day, Calistoga is expected to have mild temperatures, with highs around 60°F and mostly clear skies, making for ideal running conditions. Participants can expect a mix of technical trails, long fire road climbs, and breathtaking panoramic views, with the 50K, 35K, and Half Marathon being official UTMB Index races that provide valuable qualification points for runners aiming for major endurance events.
What distances are available for this event?
- →50K — Over 7,500 ft of elevation gain; the hardest and most complete mountain experience
- →35K — Skyrunning intensity in a shorter package
- →Half Marathon — A relentless mountain climb through stunning Northern California terrain
- →10K — A solid introduction to mountain running demands
What is the UTMB Index status for this event?
- →The 50K, 35K, and Half Marathon are all official UTMB Index races, making this event relevant for UTMB qualification points.
What is the course layout for the 50K?
- →The course starts and finishes at the Great Lawn, Calistoga Fairgrounds.
- →All distances begin by heading to the Oat Hill Mine Trailhead off the Silverado Trail.
- →The 50K course includes the Oat Hill Mine Trail, Palisades Trail, Palisades Aid Station, Lasky Point & Table Rock, Highway 29, and the Mount St. Helena Trail.
- →A course map is available here ↗.
What are the aid station details for each race distance?
- →50K — 5 fully stocked aid stations
- →35K — 3 aid station stops
- →Half Marathon — 1 aid station at midway (Palisades) + water at the bottom of Oat Hill Mine
- →10K — Water twice at the bottom of Oat Hill Mine
- →⚠️ There are up to 6 miles between aid stations on the Palisades Trail. All runners are strongly recommended to carry 40 oz of water and extra nutrition. Gels are available at the start.
What are the cutoff times and drop policy for the event?
- →No hard cutoffs, but 50K runners who don't reach the Hwy 29 aid station by 11:45 AM will be redirected to complete the 35K course.
- →All runners should safely finish before 6:30 PM.
- →No drop bags permitted.
- →No shuttle from Highway 29 — if you drop there, you wait for a volunteer heading down or arrange your own support crew.
What happens at the finish line?
- →The finish line is at the Calistoga Fairgrounds Great Lawn, where participants can enjoy food and drinks.
- →All finishers receive a custom medal and t-shirt.
- →Top 3 finishers by gender per race receive awards.
- →Age group awards (10-year divisions) are given for races with 50+ runners.
What is the starting location for all race distances?
- →All distances begin by heading to the Oat Hill Mine Trailhead off the Silverado Trail.
What is the event's former name?
- →The event was previously known as the Napa Valley Endurance Run.
Who organizes the event?
- →The 2026 Calistoga Mountain Run is organized by Scena Performance.