Events

Skyline 50K Endurance Run

REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Lake Chabot Marina, Castro Valley, CA

August 6, 2023

Overview

We are very much looking forward to Skyline 50k in August! For those of you who are new to the race, Skyline is one of the oldest continuously running 50k races in the United States. The course starts and finishes at Lake Chabot Marina and travels a large loop through the East Bay Regional Parks, taking you all the way to Skyline Gate.

Skyline is known as a great race for first-timers. Each year we enjoy incredible aid station support from great Bay Area running groups like the Dusty Bottoms, Running for a Better Oakland, Lake Merritt Joggers, and Striders, Pamakids, and more. On the course, the Volunteer Safety Patrol appears like a flash mob at key intersections to provide you direction and good cheer.

This support means that Skyline is super fun no matter where you are in the pack. For front runners, this is a fast competitive race. For former or aspiring front runners, it means Skyline is a great day you’ll think about all year.

It all ends back at Chabot Marina where we stuff you with plant-based BBQ and beer. Families are welcome. Skyline is a plant-based race. Plants are cool.

>> For information on the course, aid stations, aid station driving directions, and course cutoffs, click on Course Info at the top of this page.

>> For information on starts time, bib pickup, and awards click on Race Day. There are also other Frequently Asked Questions there.

 

Half Marathon

Since 2021 Skyline Endurance Run has featured a half marathon. This is a looped course that starts and finishes at Lake Chabot Marina, like the 50k.

The half is true to the Skyline tradition and a great challenge for all abilities. Half runners receive the same hospitality, schwag, and rewards as the 50k racers.

 

Schwag and Awards

All runners receive a race shirt, special Skyline socks, and a finishers medal. We offer awards to overall winners and 3 deep by age group.

 

USATF Grand Prix and UTMB

Skyline 50k is part of the P-USATF Grand Prix. Both races are also UTMB Index events. 

 

Refunds and Other Policies

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. We offer no deferrals within 30 days of race day.

 

 

  • Skyline 50k

    Skyline 50k is the same as the 2022 running which follows Ten Hills to its conclusion at the start of Brandon Trail. You will run down through the entrance to the Golf Course to the trailhead at the back of the parking lot. Then you're off all the way to Skyline Gate and back. The current course measures slightly longer than 50k after being slightly shorter than 50k for many years.

    Select Course Map for maps and turn-by-turn instructions. There are links to Strava/GPX there.

    Select Aid Stations for the stations, cutoffs and driving directions (for Stations that allow you to have spectators or crew.)

    Don't have Strava? Email us for a .gpx file if you would find it useful. info@scenaperformance.com

  • Skyline Half

    Skyline Half is a looped course. It starts and finishes at Lake Chabot Marina and runs largely on fire trails around Lake Chabot.

    Select Course Map for maps and turn-by-turn instructions. There are links to Strava/GPX there.

    Select Aid Stations for the stations, cutoffs and driving directions (for Stations that allow you to have spectators or crew.)

    Don't have Strava? Email us for a .gpx file if you would find it useful. info@scenaperformance.com

Times, Getting here, Bib Pickup

START TIME

7:00 AM - 50k

8:30 AM - 21k

LOCATION

The race is held at Lake Chabot Marina, starting at 17936 Lake Chabot Rd Castro Valley, CA 94546. This location is a short 20-minute drive from downtown Oakland and approximately 40 minutes from downtown San Francisco.

BIB PICKUP

Pre-Race (recommended):There will be packet/shirt/bib pickup on Saturday, August 5 from 2-5pm. Location is TBD. Yes, you can have someone pick up your bib and you can pick up for others..

Race Day: We have bib pickup open between 5:30 and 6am on race day and it's open all the way until the races start. For the Half, we close bib pickup between 6:50 and 7:10am to facilitate the start of the 50k. In 2023, there will be no race day registration.

Awards, Drop Bags, Pacers, Time Limit

AWARDS

Medals: For the first time as part of our 40th Anniversary, we started giving out finishers medals. People love them! So the medal is now part of our tradition.

Finisher Awards: awards will be given to the top overall male and female athletes, as well as the fastest male and female finishers in each 10-year age group. For the 50k, Age Group Awards are also given to top 3 in each group. There is also an award for the first male and female rookie ultramarathoners. For the 21k, awards are for the age group winners only.

Shirts and Schwag: Each finisher receives a race shirt and a pair of custom Skyline socks.

DROP BAGS

You can bring and leave a bag for after the race in the Start/Finish Area.

On course, we support drop bags at the Skyline Gate Aid Station for the 50k only, located about halfway through the race. Bring your bag to the start on the morning of the race and we'll transport it to the aid station in time for your arrival. Bags will be returned to the finish after the aid station closes. Please be sure to clearly identify your name and number on your bag.

PACERS

We do not allow pacers. Email us/

TIME LIMIT

The time limit is 9 hours (50k). There are intermedia cutoffs, starting at Skyline Gate at 12:30 pm. You can see the additional cut-off locations and times in the Aid Station information, which also includes driving directions for locations that allow crew.
There is a 7.5-hour time limit for the 21k. 21k runners need to reach Grass Valley Aid Station before 3 pm or they will be removed from the course.

An early start option is available for the 50k if you think you may need more time.

Frequently Asked Questions

>>Can I leave a bag at the Start/Finish

Yes, you can. Bring your after-race bag with you in the morning.

>>What's your sports drink? What other nutrition do you have?

Skratch is is our hydration, electrolyte, snack and post race recovery partner. Gu Energy is our gel partner. We offer a variety of gels at each aid station.

>>Can I carry and use hiking poles?

Poles are permitted for all runners.

>>Are pacers allowed

We do not allow pacers. Email us. if you want to inquire about exceptions.

>>Where can I stay?

If you're coming from outside of the Bay Area, there are a number of places to stay near Lake Chabot. Please use this link to see the closest hotels to the starting point.

>>Are there places where my friends and family can crew or watch?

Most of the aid stations are vehicle accessible. For driving directions go to the Aid Stations page under the Course tab.

>>Do you need volunteers?

Our races depend on the generous spirit of the running community to ensure every participant is well supported. Volunteers will receive a free entry to a future Scena Performance event. Please fill out the volunteer form to indicate your interest and we'll get back to you with more information.

Skyline 50K Endurance Run