Gold Rush Adventure Challenge
Dawn to Dusk

Gold Rush is a 12-hour, self-supported adventure race combining trekking, mountain biking, kayaking, and map-and-compass navigation throughout Marin and the San Francisco Bay.

The race begins with a mass start on the water at Marinship Park. Teams will paddle to Angel Island, complete a trekking section, return to their kayaks, and paddle back to Race Headquarters.

At Race HQ, teams will transition to their bicycles and access their pre-packed transition bags. The second half of the race combines mountain biking with trekking sections in the Marin Headlands before teams return to Marinship Park for the finish.

Exact routes, checkpoint locations, and course maps will remain confidential until maps are distributed on race morning.

Checkpoints and Course Strategy

At the start of the race, teams will receive maps showing the checkpoints available during each section.

Some checkpoints are mandatory and must be completed as part of the course. Others are optional, allowing teams to choose how much of the course they want to attempt based on their pace, navigation, strategy, and remaining time.

That is why race distances are shown as a range. Teams moving quickly and pursuing more optional checkpoints will cover significantly more ground than teams choosing a more conservative route.

You do not need to collect every optional checkpoint to complete Gold Rush successfully. Smart decisions, accurate navigation, teamwork, and good time management are more important than attempting every checkpoint.

Expected Distances

Depending on your route choices and the number of optional checkpoints you pursue, expect approximately:

• Kayak: 6 miles

• Mountain bike: 15–30 miles

• Trekking/running: 2–14 miles

These distances are estimates and may change because of permits, trail conditions, weather, water conditions, or race-day course modifications.

Scoring

Checkpoints are worth points, and the goal is to collect as many points as possible within the 12-hour race window.

Teams will be ranked first by total points collected. If two teams finish with the same number of points, the team with the faster overall finishing time will rank higher.

The race finishes at 8:00 p.m. Points will be deducted for every minute a team finishes after the cutoff, so manage your time carefully. The complete scoring rules, including mandatory checkpoints and late penalties, will be provided in the race-morning Race Guide and mandatory briefing.

Main Transition Area

Race HQ at Marinship Park will serve as the start, finish, and main Transition Area.

Teams will return to Race HQ after completing the opening kayak and Angel Island section. At that point, each racer may access their pre-packed transition bag to replenish food, water, clothing, and gear before beginning the bike and trekking stages.

This is the primary mid-race resupply opportunity. Teams will not return to Race HQ between every discipline.

Gold Rush is self-supported. Racers must bring their own food and hydration, and there are no staffed aid stations. Public drinking fountains will be marked on the race maps, but teams should carry enough water for delays, navigation mistakes, and changing conditions.

Once you arrive at HQ, there’s a huge field where everyone will stage their gear, so bring whatever you want: coolers, folding chairs, and change of clothes for post race. We’ll be partying with tacos and awards after the race.

Roads and Bike Safety

Parts of the bicycle course use public roads, bike paths, and shared trails. These areas remain open to vehicles and the public during the race.

• Front and rear bike lights must be on while riding on public roads. Seriously!

• Racers must obey all traffic laws, signs, and signals.

• Ride predictably and respectfully around vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, horses, and other trail users.

• Adventure racing does not provide any special right of way.

Don’t make us look bad by blowing a red light. Unsafe or inconsiderate riding may result in a penalty or disqualification.

Live Tracking and Safety

Every team will carry a GPS tracker during the race for safety and live tracking. See live tracking link here

Friends and family will be able to follow the race from home and dot-watch as teams move through the course. Trackers include an SOS button for serious emergencies. Instructions for using the SOS function will be covered during the mandatory pre-race briefing.

The tracker is an important safety tool, but teams remain responsible for managing their food, water, equipment, pace, navigation, and general wellbeing. The SOS function is not a substitute for proper preparation.

Navigation

Gold Rush is a map-and-compass navigation race.

GPS watches, mapping applications, digital maps, and other electronic navigation aids may not be used for route finding. Race maps will be distributed with the Race Guide on Saturday morning before the start.

The GPS tracker issued by the race is permitted because it is used for safety and live tracking; it is not a navigation device. Each team must also carry a fully charged emergency phone in a waterproof container, but it may not be used for navigation.

Route choice, strategy, teamwork, and knowing when to turn for home are all part of the adventure.