Footraces at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds Racetrack
Marathon Challenge and Kids’ Fun Run
Inaugural Event- Monday, August 10, 2026
1350 Bennett Valley Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
REGISTER HERE!
Marathon Challenge | 3:30–7:00 PM
Run a single one-mile lap or as many as you can before the 7:00 PM cutoff! Participants may start anytime after 3:30 PM, and the runner with the most completed laps by 7:00 PM wins. (Laps not finished by 7:00 PM do not count.) Awards ceremony at 7:10 PM.
Kids’ Fun Run | 6:30 PM
A free 1/8-mile race for young runners. Three age-group heats begin at 6:30 PM, 6:35 PM, and 6:40 PM, with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards in each division. Register at the racetrack at 6:15 PM.
Registration
Empire Runners members (advance) FREE includes a fair entry ticket! Join today! Adult $36, 21 & Under): $12, Family $48.
General public (advance) $5; (day of event) $10.
Kid’s FREE, day of event registration.
City Challenge, Palio banner award presented to the North Bay city with the highest participation rate.*
*Based on the number of runners (including kids) relative to the city’s population. Runners self-identify the city they represent.
For race details and registration, email to: [email protected]
Why Foot Races at the Fair?
An Available One-Mile Racetrack
Horse racing was cancelled in 2025 at the Sonoma County Fair. The unused track is being considered for new uses. The fairgrounds and racetrack dates back to 1878, a long-standing tradition.
Our World Class Environment
Cool mornings, ocean breezes, and varied terrain make Sonoma County ideal for two things: world-class wines and world-class runners. Empire Runner Darryl Beardall logged 300,000 miles, the most run in recorded history, many of them on our treasured North Bay roads and trails.
A Tradition of Neighborly Competition
The “Palio” is an ancient Italian tradition where neighborhoods compete in fierce rivalries. The Palio di Siena is the most well known, a horse race held in Siena’s Piazza. First held in 1208, the Palio di Verona is the oldest footrace still run in the world.
Fastest Kid in Sonoma County
Sonoma County has several programs encouraging running for youth. I Do 26.2, the Center for Well-Being’s innovative walking/running program, SOAR (Strength, Optimism, Awareness, Respect), Empire Runners‘ training program for 6-8th graders, and the neighborhood Kids Run the Nation K-6th grade program for parents, schools and boys and girls clubs. The Palio di Sonoma will challenge kids with 100 and 200 meter sprints at the Grandstand.
The Redwood Highway Marathon revisited.
In 1927, runners representing North Bay cities promoted the opening of the Redwood Highway by running 480 miles of mostly dirt and gravel roads from Sausalito to Grants Pass, Oregon. Nearly a century later, the spirit lives on with a marathon challenge around the one-mile dirt track with cities competing to win the highest participation rate and bragging rights.
Barrel Rolling Sprints (2027)
Inspired by Italy’s Palio delle Botti (Palio of the Barrels), we’re planning a spirited tradition to our own wine country. Our quarter-mile barrel-rolling race is designed for spontaneous fun — walk-up registration means anyone at the fair can jump in, no training required. It’s a lighthearted physical challenge that gets the crowd cheering while putting a spotlight on local wines. Beer lovers can compete in a keg-haul hustle.
Running Events
The Empire Runners Club was formed in 1975, during the early stages of the “running boom.” Over the years the main focus of the club shifted from highly-competitive racing teams to local race sponsorship and social training groups. Our flagship race, the Kenwood Footrace. is the oldest continuously 10K held in California, with a beautiful course past and through local vineyards.