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Mount Madonna Challenge

calendar_today 08 Aug, 2026

directions_run Running

sell $60.00 – $80.00

Mount Madonna Challenge

About the Event

The 50th Annual Mount Madonna Challenge returns to Gilroy, California on August 8th, bringing together runners from across the region for a day of competitive racing and community celebration. This long-standing event began in 1975 when Bill Flodberg organized what would become one of the original trail races that kickstarted the evolution of trail running as we know it today.
On race morning at 8:00 AM, participants will gather on the Sprig Lake Day Use Area for a start time reflecting years of tradition and community support. The atmosphere is charged with anticipation and camaraderie among runners who have come to Gilroy from all corners of California and beyond. With temperatures ranging between 13.6°C and 28.4°C, race day presents clear skies and mild humidity conditions that make for a comfortable running environment despite the expected elevation gains.
The Mount Madonna Challenge has been instrumental in fostering local talent through its scholarship program since 2007 when South Valley Running Club took over management after founder Bill Flodberg's retirement. Over thirteen years, this initiative supported several high school seniors annually by providing scholarships to attend college and participate in running camps such as the Max King Trail Running Camp. In recent years, Jose Cruz has taken up the mantle, aiming to reinvigorate the race with a renewed passion for trail running.
The course itself winds through scenic trails around Mount Madonna, offering varying distances that cater to both seasoned runners and casual participants alike. From the half marathon starting at 8:00 AM sharp, which sees an elevation gain of 2,828 feet over its challenging route, to the more accessible but equally rewarding 10K run with a climb of 1,532 feet beginning just thirty minutes later, runners can choose their preferred distance based on personal fitness and endurance levels. The half marathon offers additional GPX files for those who wish to familiarize themselves with the course in advance.
Runners will experience an average temperature range of around 21°C throughout race day, though some variation is expected between early morning coolness at approximately 13.6°C and midday warmth reaching up to 28.4°C. The trail surface remains hard and dry underfoot with no precipitation forecasted for the event date; winds will average a moderate speed of around 5.6 km/h, adding minimal resistance on this sunlit day.
1/2 Marathon
21.1K  •  Start: 08:00:00  •  Fee: $80.00
10K
10K  •  Start: 08:30:00  •  Fee: $70.00
5K
5K  •  Start: 08:30:00  •  Fee: $60.00

The race offers three distinct distances: a challenging half marathon (21.1K) starting at 8:00 AM with an elevation gain of over two thousand feet; a robust 10K run beginning shortly after at 8:30 AM and featuring over one thousand five hundred feet in climbs; lastly, the more accessible yet equally enjoyable 5K race also commencing at 8:30 AM. Each distance comes with its own registration fee — $60 for the 5K, $70 for the 10K, and a slightly higher cost of $80 for those tackling the half marathon.

Registration can be completed online via https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=134339. Fees range from $60 to $80 based on race distance selected. Participants are advised to register early, as spaces fill up quickly due to high demand and the event's popularity within both regional and national running communities. Bib pickup is available at Sprig Lake Day Use Area either day before or morning of the event; participants should bring a printed copy of their confirmation email.
All runners must be present on race day with proof of registration for bib collection prior to starting times. Age requirements are set according to USATF standards, ensuring that all competitors meet established minimum ages for each distance category. First-time attendees are encouraged to arrive early and familiarize themselves with the course layout available via GPX files or signage at the start area.
The 50th Annual Mount Madonna Challenge in Gilroy, California on August 8th remains a cornerstone event not only due to its historical significance but also because of the tangible impact it has had on local high school runners through scholarships funded entirely by race proceeds. This race is worth attending for those who appreciate both challenging terrain and meaningful community initiatives aimed at nurturing future generations of athletes.

Races Offered

1/2 Marathon

Aug 08, 2026

straighten

Distance — 21.1K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:00

sell

$80.00

10K

Aug 08, 2026

straighten

Distance — 10K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:30

sell

$70.00

5K

Aug 08, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:30

sell

$60.00

Weather History

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for August in Gilroy.

thermostat Temperature
13.6° / 28.4°
wb_sunny Feels like
13.7° / 27.2°
light_mode Avg sunshine hours
11h 58m
water_drop Avg rainfall
ac_unit Avg snowfall
air Avg wind speed
5.6 km/h (Light breeze)
opacity Sweat loss rate
High
terrain Course conditions
Hard and dry surface
sunny Max UV Index
High (7.0)
humidity_mid Humidity
67.7%
wb_twilight Sunrise
06:23
nightlight Sunset
19:55

About Gilroy

Learn more about the host city, Gilroy.

Scenic view of

Gilroy is in the southern part of Santa Clara County south of San Jose in California. It is in the South Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area.

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Hotels & Places to Stay

Race Results

All-time top performances and historical records for Mount Madonna Challenge.

Place Name Year Time
🥇 Kevin Stewart '24 1:33:22
🥈 Paddy Oleary '22 1:34:12
🥉 Paddy Oleary '25 1:35:22
4 Sam Levy-Wendt '23 1:35:32
5 Kevin Stewart '21 1:36:04

Runner Reviews

Read what other athletes have to say about their experience at the Mount Madonna Challenge.

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