Carmel Valley Trail Race 2026

The Carmel Valley Trail Race guides runners through Gonzales Canyon Open Space, with the start and finish at Solana Ranch Park in San Diego’s Carmel Valley. This is a small annual trail event limited to 300 participants, offering 5K, 10K, and 10-mile distances. The 10K and 5K also function as championship qualifying races. The course starts and finishes on level terrain. However, the middle portion includes sufficient elevation gain to make the longer distances feel like a mountain race. Participants in the 10K and 10-mile races will encounter a section known as Puke Hill. The 5K route remains flat for those seeking a trail environment without significant climbing. This race is noted as San Diego’s sole trail race crossing Gonzales Canyon Open Space.