The Course

Course Map | Course Altitude Profile | Souvenir Map

Course Description

The Humboldt Redwoods Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K are located in beautiful HUMBOLDT REDWOODS STATE PARK, about 200 miles north of San Francisco and 40 miles south of Eureka.

The marathon & half marathon start together (at 9am) at the Dyerville Bridge which is on the famous Avenue of the Giants near the majestic Founders Grove in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. The 5K will start at 9:15am at the Dyerville Bridge and is an out and back on the AVenue of the Giants. The Half Marathon course is an out and back on the Avenue of the Giants. The Marathon course follows the Half Marathon course until mile 13, where it turns west onto Bull Creek Road for the final out and back to the finish. The course will be closed to all vehicles and bicycles from miles 1 through 13 in the Half Marathon. Miles 14 through 26 in the Marathon will be controlled by pilot cars. Runners should be alert for pilot cars and autos following them. The elevation is about 200 feet above sea level. Both courses are on pavement and are almost entirely under a canopy of old growth redwood trees. The races finish on the Avenue of the Giants about 148 yards north of the starting line. The courses are marked at every mile and split times will be given at miles 1, 5, 10 & 15. There will be aid stations with electrolyte replacement drinks and water approximately every 2.5 miles. Food will be available on the Marathon course near miles 17 & 22.

Because the races are held in an undeveloped forest area, no showers or dressing facilities are available. There will be portable toilets at the start-finish and at the aid stations

The marathon, half marathon, & 5K are certified and sanctioned. In 2004, the marathon & half marathon were recertified by Ken Young, a USATF/RRTC National Certifier. The 5K was measured and certified in 2005 by Ken Young. The marathon is a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon.