Noyo Headlands Race

Join us on Saturday, August 8, 2026 for the 10th annual Noyo Headlands Race. This year we'll have a half marathon, 10K run, 5k run, 5k fun walk, and half-mile kids' run along the stunning coastal trail in Fort Bragg, CA. Enjoy some of the most remarkable scenery Northern California has to offer and have a great time running with your friends! The oceanfront trail consists of asphalt and soft track, is fairly flat, well maintained, and commonly used by runners year-round.

This race benefits Mendocino Land Trust in its mission to conserve and restore habitat, scenic areas and working lands while also providing public access to beautiful places in and around Mendocino County.

Want to Volunteer? We'll need help the day before the race and on race day. The link below will let you sign up to help at the Noyo Headlands Race and other running races on the Mendocino Coast.

Click here to sign up!

Questions? send us an email: noyorace@mendocinolandtrust.org

At the Noyo Headlands Race, we are dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusivity. While our event may present physical challenges, it is essential that all participants feel accepted and welcomed. To support this mission, we have established a Transgender & Non-Binary Runner Policy with input from the Mendocino County Safe Space Project.

Entrance Policy for Transgender Athletes

We honor each entrant’s declared gender without requiring any supporting evidence or medical documentation.

• Transgender female entrants can register to compete as female.
• Transgender male entrants can register to compete as male.
• Runners may choose to compete in the category of their sex assigned at birth if they have not undergone hormone treatment for the past year.
• If you are a transgender athlete planning on entering the Noyo Headlands Race to qualify for another race, it is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for that race. These requirements typically require documentation of continuous, medically supervised hormone treatment for at least one year prior to the race for transgender women, for example. For more information, find the relevant policy for the race you aim to qualify for and see also these downloadable World Athletics Eligibility Regulations For Transgender Athletes.

All information regarding a runner’s gender identity will be kept strictly confidential.

Entrance Policy for Non-Binary Athletes

We recognize that some individuals identify outside the binary terms of ‘man’ or ‘woman.’ Non-binary individuals may identify as having a gender that is in-between, fluctuating, or as having no gender at all. 

• Non-binary runners will be eligible for place awards in their own category, or they may choose to compete in the category in which they most closely identify.
• If you are a nonbinary athlete planning on running the Noyo Headlands Race to qualify for another race, it is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for that race.

Challenges of Results Involving Transgender and Non-Binary Athletes

Our policy aims to promote inclusion and fairness. We expect all participants to act with honesty, compassion, and respect. Hateful or discriminatory behavior will not be tolerated. 

Challenges to results related to a runner’s self-declared gender may only be made when a top 3 position is at stake. These must be submitted in writing or via email to the Race Director within 10 days of the race, and will be handled discreetly and respectfully. Challenges unrelated to gender status, such as course cutting or rule violations, will follow the standard process. If a challenge arises, the Race Director will review the facts and make a final decision. If a runner is found not in compliance with this policy, they will forfeit their place but retain their official finish. We will not disclose any personal information unless permitted by the runner.

We will periodically review this policy to ensure it remains current and equitable.

For any questions, comments, or feedback, please contact the Race Director at noyorace@mendocinolandtrust.org.

At the Noyo Headlands Race, we are dedicated to fostering access for all. We believe factors like experience level, access, ability, or financial status shouldn’t be barriers to participating and competing. In this spirit we offer the following participation pathways for athletes with disabilities. If you wish to participate in one of these pathways, please contact us ahead of time at noyorace@mendocinolandtrust.org.

Duo Teams – Teams of four participants (one rider and three alternately pushing and protecting the athlete in the push-chair) to allow a participant without the ability to self-locomote the distance to participate in the event.

Guide Runners for the Visually Impaired – Teams of two runners (a visually impaired runner and a sighted guide-runner) to allow runners with visual impairments to safely navigate the course and among other participants.

Handcycles – Athletes with disabilities using hand-powered cycles or hand-powered cycles with electronic assist.

Push-Rim Wheelchair – Individual athletes using wheelchairs that are propelled by pushing on the wheels of the chair without mechanical advantage.

If you are an athlete with a disability who does not see a pathway that meets your needs, please contact noyorace@mendocinolandtrust.org to explore opportunities with us.

All races start and end on the coastal trail near the parking area accessed via West Cypress Street in Fort Bragg.

Parking will be available along the west side of the runway.

Updated course map coming soon for NHR 2026!

Noyo Headlands Race Runners Rules: (updated 04/03/23)

Bibs –  Bibs must be visible on the front of the body at all times.  If wearing layers be prepared to adjust your bib as needed.

Assisting a runner in need –  If you encounter a runner in distress you must stop to assist them.  Not assisting a runner in need will result in disqualification.  Time spent rendering assistance to a fellow runner will be taken into account by race organizers to adjust finishing time.

Staying on course  – The Noyo Headland race course is well marked and runners must stay on route at all times.  Cutting switchbacks or going off course is not allowed.  If you accidentally go off trail you must return to the point of departure from the course before continuing on the route.

Headphones – Due to the fact that the course is also open to the public, possibility of wildlife encounters, and other hazards associated, we highly discourage the use of headphones.  If you insist on wearing headphones please use only one earbud or consider headphones using jawbone conduction which allows you to stay aware of your surroundings.

No external speakers – Please be mindful of the participants around you and therefore discourage external speakers

Dropping Out – Runners may only drop at an aid station checkpoint.  In order to drop out find an aid station captain to record your drop. 

Littering – Trash receptacles will be available at all aid stations. Runners must not dispose of trash on the racecourse outside of aid stations.

No pacing  – Runners may not be paced during the race, except for ADA accommodations.  

Poor sportsmanship toward or insulting any competitor or volunteer – This can result in immediate disqualification.

Anti Doping – All Noyo Headlands Race Runners must comply with our Clean Sport policy.

Thank all volunteers and support your fellow competitors – Help us lift one another up and bring positivity to the culture of this event!

*Not adhering to any of the above rules can result in a time penalty or disqualification.  Ultimately, it will come down to the race organizer’s discretion.   

Friday - August 7:

• Packet Pickup and In-Person Registration: 4 pm - 6 pm at the Mendocino Land Trust office at 435 North Main St in downtown Fort Bragg.

We're upstairs (above Braggadoon), but we'll have a table outside.

Saturday - August 8:

• 7:00 am    Registration and packet pickup open at Noyo Headlands Park
• 8:00 am    Kids' 1/2 mile Race start
• 8:15 am    1/2 Marathon Race start
• 8:30 am    10K Race start
• 8:45 am    5K Race start
• 9:00 am    5K Fun Walk start
• 11:45 am  Race ends