Lake Merritt Run Club · Annual Race
Woodmonster Trail Race
Ten miles of hills, single track, and the infamous Woodmonster climb. One of the East Bay’s most challenging and beloved trail races.
Pricing
Registration Fees
Entry includes a finisher t-shirt. Fees are non-refundable. Lake Merritt Run Club members save $10 on every registration period.
Get ready to conquer one of the East Bay’s most iconic races! Lock in your entry at the lowest price we offer before prices go up this weekend.
Complimentary Entry? Here’s How to Register
If you have been given a complimentary entry code, you can register using any of the registration links on this page. At checkout, enter your code in the Discount Coupon field to receive your complimentary entry.
Important: Enter your code as a single word with no spaces. For example, if your code is two words, type them together as one word (e.g., “WoodComp” not “Wood Comp”).
Complimentary EntryRegular Pricing (After June 13)
Volunteer with us
Can’t race? Please consider volunteering! We need help marking the course, pre-running, checking in runners, monitoring the course, and sweeping at the end. Email woodmonsterxc@gmail.com to sign up.
About the race
Beautiful, Challenging, Glorious
The Woodmonster Trail Race is a 10-mile trail race starting and finishing at the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland. The course features plenty of hills, technical single-track trails through Redwood Regional Park, and the infamous Woodmonster climb — 0.8 miles of steep, relentless ascent that has become legendary in East Bay trail running.
This race replaces the Fourth Sunday Race in June. A finisher t-shirt in quality technical fabric is included with every entry. After the race, join us for a post-race brunch hosted by Lake Merritt Run Club!
Start & Finish
Chabot Space & Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619
Race day registration and bib pickup opens at 7:30 AM. Free parking at Chabot Space & Science Center.
The Woodmonster Climb
The 0.8-mile TransSports Woodmonster Climb is the race’s signature challenge — steep, relentless, and legendary. A special Hill Climb Challenge award goes to the fastest male and female times on this segment. Hill Climb info
Course Route
Chabot Space & Science Center → West Ridge → Skyline Gate (Aid station) → East Ridge → Down Prince → Stream → Tres Sendas → Star Flower → French → Madrone → West Ridge Bowl (Aid station) → West Ridge → Down Chown → Stream → Skyline Gate (Aid station) → West Ridge → Finish at Chabot
Team Competition
The team with the most finishers wins 4 complimentary entries for the following year’s Woodmonster. Enter as a team for extra motivation and bragging rights.
What’s Included
- Premium short-sleeve technical finisher t-shirt
- 3 water stops on the course
- Hill Climb Challenge award
- Age group and overall awards
- Post-race brunch hosted by Lake Merritt Run Club
Why run the Woodmonster?
Everything You Need to Know
Course details
Start Wave Schedule
This race features a reverse handicap system — older runners start first, giving everyone a chance to finish together.
| Start Time | Group | Categories |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 AM | Group A | Women 65+, Men 75+ |
| 8:35 AM | Group B (-5 min) | Women 55-64, Men 70-74 |
| 8:40 AM | Group C (-10 min) | Women 50-54, Men 65-69, Women 13 & under |
| 8:45 AM | Group D (-15 min) | Women 45-49, Men 60-64, Men 55-59, Women 13 & under |
| 8:50 AM | Group E (-20 min) | Women 40-44, Women 14-18, Men 55-59, Men 13 & under |
| 8:54 AM | Group F (-24 min) | Men 50-54, Women 19-39, Men 13 & under |
| 8:58 AM | Group G (-28 min) | Men 45-49 |
| 9:02 AM | Group H (-32 min) | Men 40-44, Men 14-18 |
| 9:04 AM | Group I (-34 min) | Men 30-39 |
| 9:06 AM | Group J (-36 min) | Men 19-29 |
Schedule
Race Day Events
All Woodmonster race events listed below are always up to date.
Woodmonster Trail Race 2026
June 28, 2026 · 8:30 AM · Chabot Space & Science Center, Oakland · 10 miles · Finisher t-shirt included
Questions about the race? Race Director: christinechapon@lakemerrittrunclub.org