The Peak 50k/Marathon/Half Marathon

July 12th, 2025

Registration opens February 14th, 2025

Course

If you love the mountains, the challenge of a good, long climb and quad-pounding descents, then The Peak is for you. Running mostly along single track trail with spectacular views, The Peak climbs Cuyamaca Peak—San Diego County’s second highest.

The 50K and marathon routes take you up on a 2,200 foot climb over the initial 6.3 miles of the course, then drop you down 2,800 feet to Sweetwater Aid Station and the marathon turnaround. The return marathon trip takes you back up to the top of Cuyamaca Peak for a total elevation gain and loss of 10,000 feet. 50K runners complete a five mile loop, returning to Sweetwater, before setting out on the same return trip as the marathoners.
​The half marathon follows in the footsteps of the 50K and marathon, climbing up the challenging Conejos Trail before reaching the peak and a return trip back to the start/finish area.
GPX FILE HERE (Select your distance with the tab above the map)

Start Line Location Link:

CUTOFFS:

Half Marathon

11:30AM (Finish Line) - 4.5 hours

Marathon

10:30AM (Turnaround Point: Sweetwater Aid Station) - 4.5 hours

12:00PM (Cuyamaca Peak Aid Station, Second Passthrough) - 6 hours

2:30PM (Finish Line) - 8.5 hours

50K

10:00AM (Sweetwater Aid Station, First Passthrough) - 4 hours

11:30AM (Sweetwater Aid Station, Second Passthrough) - 5.5 hours

1:30PM (Cuyamaca Peak Aid Station, Second Passthrough) - 7.5 hours

4:00PM (Finish Line) - 10 hours

TURN BY TURN DIRECTIONS

50K Runners follow ALL Sections. Marathon runners follow Sections 1, 2, 4, 5. Half Marathon runners follow Sections 1, 5.

Section 1: Start at Camp Hual-Cu-Cuish

  • Connect to Milk Ranch Road

  • Turn left onto Milk Ranch Road

  • Turn left onto Black Oak Trail West

  • Continue straight onto Azalea Glen Fire Road

  • Turn right onto Conejos Trail

  • Turn right onto Lookout Road

    • Cuyamaca Peak Aid Station #1

Section 2: Start at Cuyamaca Peak AS

  • Head down on Lookout Road

  • Turn right onto Burnt Pine Trail

  • Turn right onto West Mesa Trail

  • Turn left and continue on West Mesa Trail

  • Continue straight onto Monument Trail

  • Turn left onto West Side Trail

  • Turn right onto connector trail and under freeway to AS

    • Sweetwater Aid Station #1

Section 3: Start at Sweetwater AS #1

  • Turn right onto Harvey Moore Trail

  • Turn left onto Pine Trail

  • Turn right onto Juaguapain Trail

  • Turn left onto Dyar Spring Trail

  • Turn left onto East Side Trail

    • Sweetwater Aid Station #2

Section 4: Start at Sweetwater AS #2

  • Same route as Section 2, in reverse

Section 5: Start at Cuyamaca Peak AS #2

  • Same route as Section 1, in reverse

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The Peak runners or SURF members use "THEPEAK10" for 10% off (w/ free shipping) on ice pocket bandana purchases from "T's Cool Downs." Handmade by a SURF member and his family, a portion of all sales is donated to Malan Syndrome Research on behalf of their son, Troy ("T"), who has this rare genetic disease. Thanks for your support! http://tscooldowns.com  IG and FB: tscooldowns

The Peak is a qualified race in the SoCal Ultra Series!

Our trails are proudly maintained by the volunteers at Trailfit, led by Ken Bonus. If you are looking for ways to give back, please consider volunteering for one of their trail work days.

You can also email Ken via the Trailfit website to report areas where trail work is needed.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ABOUT TRAILFIT

Race Photos

Race Agenda

  • 5:00AM - Race Check In / Packet Pickup Opens

  • 6:00AM - 50k and Marathon Start

  • 7:00AM - Half Marathon Starts

  • 11:30AM - Half Marathon Final Cutoff

  • 2:30PM - Marathon Final Cutoff

  • 4:00PM - 50k Final Cutoff