Truckee-Tahoe isn’t just a pretty place to hike, bike, or paddle—it’s the starting line, finish line, and everything in between for some of the most scenic, soulful, and downright gritty adventure races in the West. With high-alpine trails, sparkling lakes, and a local community that embraces outdoor progression like it’s a way of life (because it is), there’s no better place to test your limits and fill your soul.
Here’s your mile-by-mile rundown of what makes Truckee-Tahoe the epicenter for adventure racing this summer:
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July 14–20: Barracuda Championship – Where Golf Goes Wild
Sure, it’s a golf tournament—but not just any golf tournament. The Barracuda Championship at Old Greenwood brings PGA and DP World Tour pros together in one of the few PGA TOUR stops hosted in a mountain town. While not an “adventure race” per se, it’s endurance of a different kind: altitude, precision, and a serious walk in the park—for charity. Bonus: proceeds benefit local nonprofits. Because here, even the golf has a little grit and a lot of heart.
📍 Tahoe Mountain Club’s Old Greenwood
July 25: Mountain Tiger – First Annual Donner Summit Trail Race
Vertical gain. Alpine glory. Beers and cheers at the end.
Welcome the first-ever Mountain Tiger race, a point-to-point beast of a trail run with over 3,300 feet of climbing. This one’s for the mountain goats, the wildflower wanderers, and anyone who thinks “fun” and “summit sprint” belong in the same sentence. Start on a ridge, end with a cold one at Sugar Bowl Resort.
📍 Donner Summit to Sugar Bowl Basecamp'
July 26–27: 43rd Annual Donner Lake Triathlon
Where legends are made and lake swims are glorious.
The Donner Lake Tri is a Truckee classic—so much so, it’s been going strong for 43 years. Whether you're sprinting, going Olympic, duathlon-ing, or cheering on the kids, this weekend is a celebration of human-powered adventure. It's also a chance to support Clean Up The Lake, because around here, the only thing we take more seriously than race day is preserving our stunning environment.
📍 West End Beach, Truckee
August 2: Truckee Half Marathon & 5K – Scenic & Soulful
From downtown charm to alpine climbs, this half marathon is no walk in the park. The course weaves through Historic Downtown Truckee, loops around Donner Lake, and throws in a gnarly climb up Northwoods Boulevard (mile 11 will haunt your quads—in the best way). Whether you're chasing a PR or a cold one at Alibi Ale Works, you’ll find both at the finish line.
📍 Start/Finish: Alibi Ale Works, Downtown Truckee
August 2: Point Mariah Trail Marathon – 26.4 Miles of Glory
Welcome to high-alpine heaven. The Point Mariah Trail Marathon, hosted by Donner Party Mountain Runners, covers rugged singletrack through the Royal Gorge and past views of the Pacific Crest that’ll make you forget your legs are on fire. Run solo, relay it with friends, or just soak up the vibes at basecamp. Either way, this one’s peak Truckee.
📍 Soda Springs Ski Resort, near Royal Gorge
Why Truckee-Tahoe?
Because nowhere else blends grit and grandeur like Truckee-Tahoe. Here, the trails don’t just challenge you—they cheer you on. The lakes don’t just sparkle—they cool you down. And the community? They’re not just spectators. They’re part of the experience.
This is what it looks like when a true mountain town throws down the gauntlet and dares you to pick it up and run with it—literally. Whether you're in it to push limits, chase PRs, or just prove your legs still work at altitude, there’s no better proving ground than Truckee-Tahoe.
