Oakland Hills Trail Run

The Oakland Hills Trail Run begins in Redwood Regional Park, a redwood forest situated in the hills a few miles from downtown Oakland. This annual October trail race offers three distances: 10K, half marathon, and 35K. With a field limit of 330 runners across all distances, it is a small Bay Area trail event, not a crowded city race. The half marathon and 35K commence in the morning, followed by the 10K. The longer race has a 6.5-hour time limit. The course is 95% unpaved trail, crossing a 1,830-acre park featuring coast redwoods, other evergreens, chaparral, and grasslands. Some redwoods stand around 150 feet tall; the forest regenerated after extensive logging in the mid-1800s provided lumber for the San Francisco Bay Area. The park's wildlife includes golden eagles, Alameda striped racers, deer, rabbits, and squirrels. The event, established in 2012, uses chip timing with disposable bib-mounted chips. Runners are directed to park at the Chabot Space and Science Center, and carpooling is highly recommended.