Race Info

SENSATIONAL VIEWS!

Saturday, April 5, 2025

Run the Chesebro Half Marathon 
USATF sanctioned 

Start time: 7:00 a.m. 

   Best Half Marathon

You know that feeling when you're just on top of your game and everything seems possible? That's what the Chesebro Half Marathon will leave you with, as it takes place through a variety of natural landscapes in the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in the Los Angeles suburb of Agoura Hills, California. You'll run past ranches, open meadows, tree canopy covered trails all leading upUSATF Sanctioned Event to stunning views at the Mile 8 summit. But don't stop there because for the next 5 miles things are mostly downhill so get ready for some fast and fun running!

 
The Chesebro Half Marathon will take you through the beautiful scenery of both road and trails. This race has been called 'one-of-a kind' by many runners who love its unique experience! It's one of the largest trail races in America, with an almost guaranteed sellout.

 

The Chesebro Half Marathon has a time limit of 3 hours, 30 minutes. If you run at a 16 minute per mile pace, then you will finish the course in that amount of time. The start time is 7:00 a.m. and strollers or dogs are not allowed on the course.

Course Info



The course starts on Carell Ave. (at least a 10 minute uphill walk from the registration tables in Chumash Park -- allow plenty of time to get to the start and remember you get to run down that big hill). On race day, look for the signs directing you to the START. This is a downhill start.

  1. Head south on Carell Ave.
  2. Right on Thousand Oaks Blvd.
  3. Left on Argos St.
  4. Right on Valley Heights Dr.
  5. Left on Rock Tree Dr.
  6. Left on Medea Valley Dr. adjacent to Chumash Park
  7. Right on Parkheath Dr.
  8. Right on Argos St.
  9. Left on Driver Ave. Long straight, flat stretch east out to Chesebro Rd.
  10. Left on Chesebro Rd. 
  11. This is new for 2019 and years forward: Veer right and enter the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area off Chesebro Rd at the trail entrance gate.
  12. Water station when you enter trail.
  13. There are two forks on the fire road. See satellite map view for detailed view. Veer left at first fork to run toward Morrison Ranch area. Veer left at second fork prior to Cheeseboro Canyon Trail. Volunteers will be on course to guide you.  
  14. Turn right on Cheeseboro Canyon Trail, this is fire road.
  15. Water station at Sulphur Springs Rock at approximately Mile 6. When you pass the big rock at the Sulphur Springs sign the trail changes to single track.
  16. Left on Sheep Corral Trail. Most of the climbing on the route is on the Sheep Corral Trail, peaking right before the Palo Comado Canyon Trail.
  17. Left on Palo Comado Canyon Trail. 
  18. Water station where Sheep Corral Trail meets Palo Comado Canyon Trail.
  19. Enjoy the significant, lengthy downhill on Palo Comado Canyon.
  20. Right on Doubletree Connector. This is the steepest ascent on the route.
  21. Left out of trail onto Sunnycrest Dr. 
  22. Aid station and restrooms at trail exit.
  23. Quick uphill followed by major downhill on Sunnycrest Dr.
  24. Left on Kanan Rd.
  25. Water station where Kanan Rd. intersects with Idle Dr.
  26. Left on Thousand Oaks Blvd.
  27. Right on Argos St.
  28. Right onto Chumash Park grass and into finish chute. 

 

On the trails watch out for mountain bikers, horses, snakes and insects. Whatever you bring in the trail, you must bring out. Please do not throw your trash on the trails. Look for volunteers stationed with trash bags to drop your water bottles or energy gel packs.

Course support:

Water stations:

Mile 1 (In front of Agoura High School). Water in cups.
Mile 2.75 (At the entrance to Cheeseboro Canyon National Recreation Area) Water in cups, GU Rocktane electrolyte drink and GU energy gel. Toilets.
Mile 6 (On the trail at the big rock at Sulphur Springs) Water in bottles.
Mile 8.5 (On the trail where Sheep Corral Trail meets Palo Comado Canyon Trail) Water in bottles.
Mile 10.5 (At the trailhead exit at Doubletree Rd./Sunnycrest Dr.) Water in cups, GU Rocktane electrolyte drink and GU energy gel.

Aid station at approximately Mile 10.5 includes: 

  • Toilets
  • Water
  • Electrolyte drink: Rocktane Energy Drink, Tropical Fruit
  • GU Energy gel: Chocolate Outrage, Vanilla Bean, Strawberry Banana

From the feedback we get, many appreciate the aid station at Mile 10.5 and others have asked why there isn't one available earlier. The answer is that we cannot provide anything but water on the trail portion of the course. If you desire gel or sports drink prior to Mile 10.5, we suggest you carry it with you. However, whatever you bring in the trail, you must bring out. Please do not throw your trash on the trails. LEAVE NO TRACE!

Mile markers and turn signs posted on the road portion (Miles 1, 2, 3, 11, 12, 13), not on the trail portion. Course volunteers are stationed at every decision point on the trails.

Toilets:
At Chumash Park
At Thousand Oaks Blvd. & Carell Ave. on the way to the start (there are no toilets at the start line)
At the entrance to the trailhead near Mile 2.75.
At the trail exit at Doubletree Rd./Sunnycrest Dr.

Course officials, National Park Service crew and Malibu Mountain Rescue Team positioned throughout course.

Start Elevation = 1055 ft.

Highest point = 1715 feet (at 8.05 miles)

Lowest point = 885 ft. (at 0.67 miles)

Gain = 830 ft.

Total Ascent = 1145 ft.

Total Descent = 1289 ft.

Terrain Profile

Start to 2.75 miles on road. 

Enter Trail at Mile 2.75. Wide fire road through Mile 6.

Mile 6 - Mile 8 is mostly double track and some single track. 

Mile 8 - Mile 10.5 is wide fire road.

Exit Trail at Mile 10.5. On road until Mile 13.05.

Finish chute is on grass.

Course record:

Men:
Josh Spiker, 1:11:53 (2009)

Women:
Mary Akor, 1:26:57 (2004)

Chesebro Half Marathon Age Group Awards:

Awards to top 3 male and female finishers in 24 age groups. 

  • 18 & under
  • 19-24
  • 25-29
  • 30-34
  • 35-39
  • 40-44
  • 45-49
  • 50-54
  • 55-59
  • 60-64
  • 65-69
  • 70+
Finisher medals for all Chesebro Half Marathon finishers.

 

Racer Perks

  • Technical running top (men's or women's cut)
  • Drawstring goodie bag
  • Finisher's Medal
  • LA's #1 Post-Race Party with lots of quality free food and live music.
  • Live Results
  • Course Photographers
  • Gorgeous, scenic course runs through a historic national park with a sensational summit view.
  • Five on-course aid stations
  • Free parking
  • Friends or family not ready for the half marathon distance? Options to run the 10K, 5K or Kids Mile
  • Sports & Fitness Expo
  • Our energetic announcer greets you at the finish line at beautiful Chumash Park