Mission Trails Twilight Runs

The Mission Trails Twilight Runs 2026 represent a historic return of endurance racing to San Diego’s iconic Mission Trails Regional Park after more than a decade. Scheduled for Saturday, May 23, 2026, this inaugural event starts at the East Fortuna Staging Area. Runners will face a unique "twilight" challenge, beginning their journey in the late afternoon sun and navigating the rugged, rocky landscape as it transitions into nightfall.

Event Logistics and Participant Information:

• -- Venue Location: The event is staged at the East Fortuna Staging Area, specifically near the Equestrian Circle in Santee, CA. This area provides direct access to the park’s more dramatic and technical trail segments.
• -- Twilight Experience: The 50K and 25K distances are specifically timed so that runners experience the "golden hour" views before needing headlamps for the final sections of the race. This adds a layer of navigational difficulty as trail visibility decreases.
• -- Strict Participant Cap: To preserve the natural environment of the regional park, the first annual event is strictly limited to 300 total runners. There are currently about 107 spots remaining across all distances.
• -- Course Cutoffs: The event has a total time limit of 10 hours. For the 50K distance, runners must reach the halfway point and begin their second lap by 7:00 PM to stay within the safety window.
• -- Terrain Profile: Mission Trails is known for steep climbs and rocky, technical descents. The 25K loop (approximately 15.7 miles) traverses several major ridges, offering sweeping views of the San Diego skyline and the surrounding desert peaks.
• -- Registration: Sign-ups are open until May 23, or until the participant cap is reached. All fees listed on the portal are inclusive of mandatory Race Roster processing charges.
• -- Night Safety: Because portions of the race take place after dark, a high-quality headlamp or waist light is considered mandatory gear for 50K and 25K participants. Trail shoes with aggressive tread are highly recommended for the rocky descents.
• -- Contact: Organized by Jeff Stoner. For technical inquiries regarding the Strava route links or volunteer coordination, participants can reach out at 858-775-7104.

The Mission Trails Twilight Runs 2026 offer a rare opportunity to race through one of Southern California's most beautiful regional parks under the stars, marking a new chapter for the San Diego trail running community.