Outdoor Activities
The Best Destination Races, Half Marathons & Adventure Runs in Reno Tahoe
Looking for an epic backdrop for your next destination race? Chasing a new personal best? Or just in the neighborhood for a West Coast vacation? Reno Tahoe has next-level destination races, from scenic half marathons to mountain running challenges. In this article, you’ll find a lineup of locals’ favorites and popular races that test your endurance and reward you with incredible views. We’ll also share what makes this a great destination for a running vacation in general. Get ready to push your limits and celebrate with exciting post-race experiences.
Best Destination Races in Reno Tahoe
No one needs an excuse to embark on a West Coast road trip, of course, but this is a pretty good place to build an itinerary around, especially if you love running. Reno Tahoe is home to some of the most beautiful and challenging destination races in the country.
Top Destination Half Marathons in the Area
Here, the race atmospheres are as high as our elevation. These destination half marathons vary in location — from the shores of Lake Tahoe to the asphalt of Reno — all of them serving up stunning courses and unforgettable post-race celebrations.
- Biggest Little Half Marathon: Winds through downtown Reno’s streets and stretches alongside the Truckee River
- Rock Reno Half Marathon: Reno’s only point-to-point half marathon that follows a scenic, fast-paced course through the city center
- Rock Tahoe Half Marathon: A popular race in Lake Tahoe with exhilarating downhill stretches and jaw-dropping views
- Silver State Trail Half Marathon: Singletrack route on rocky ground with excellent views of Sierra Nevada and Truckee Meadows
- Truckee Half Marathon: Rolling hills and alpine scenery around a historic lake; just the right blend of challenge and natural beauty
Perhaps you’re craving a bigger challenge. Come run where mountains meet the sky.
Popular Mountain Running Races
With lung-busting ascents, technical descents and epic panoramas at every turn, Reno Tahoe’s mountain races are where trail runners test their mettle. Here are a few of the most popular events:
- Reno-Tahoe Odyssey Relay: A 178-mile, overnight team event through the best of the region that demands endurance training
- Broken Arrow Skyrace: Epic climbs and descents paired with intense elevation gain; perfect for trail running enthusiasts
- Emerald Bay Trail Run: A stunning singletrack route with lake views that was named by Competitor Magazine as one of the 21 Most Scenic Trail Races in America
- Marlette 50K: Rugged ascents and ridgeline runs that offer panoramic scenery of Lake Tahoe and Carson Valley
- Escape from Prison Hill: 14 miles of steep climbs in Nevada’s capital make for a breakout-worthy challenge
- Big Chief 50K Ultra Trail Run: A mix of singletrack and fire road terrain beneath towering trees and over rocky summits
Been there, done that? Let’s talk about some adventure running races that bring big miles, big climbs and even bigger bragging rights.
Adventure Runs You Don’t Want to Miss
Whether you fly solo or bring your whole squad, here are some of the best destination races, though they aren’t for the faint-hearted. We’re talking about ultra distances, deep in the wilderness. People travel all over the world to compete in them — and you could be one.
These adventure running races will take you beyond the ordinary:
- Ragnar Trail Tahoe: An all-night, all-terrain relay where teams of eight run in high elevation and high on adrenaline
- Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs: 166 miles of high-altitude miles and breathtaking vistas; part of this trail overlaps with the Pacific Crest Trail
- Tahoe 200 Endurance Run: A grueling 200-mile, out-and-back journey through the wild beauty of the Sierra Nevada
- Western States Endurance Run: 100 miles of trail, full of steep ascents and shaded by giant trees; starts near Lake Tahoe
Why You Should Take on a Destination Race in Reno Tahoe
The scenic courses, epic challenges and a race-day energy you won’t find anywhere else are undoubtedly the top three reasons for attending a destination race here. But there’s one more factor that puts Reno Tahoe on every runner’s must-visit list: accessibility.
Race weekends couldn’t get any easier. With Reno-Tahoe Internal Airport just minutes from downtown, you can go from touchdown to check-in in no time. Once you're here, everything is within reach, including restaurants to refuel at. Whether you’re staying in Reno for the lively nightlife or heading up into the mountains for a Lake Tahoe trip, you’re never far from where you want to be.
Bonus! The adventure doesn’t stop when the race does. Celebrate your finish with a delicious cocktail, unwind in a spa or keep the outdoor fun going with endless ways to play.
Now that you’ve seen the incredible races waiting for you, it’s time to make your move.
Sign Up & Lace Up
Every great race has a story — and in Reno Tahoe, each step tells one of adventure, grit and incredible scenery. So, come write your next chapter with one of our destination half marathons, a mountain run or something even more intense.
After you register for your next destination race in the area, check one more thing off your to-do list by finding a place to stay.
