PB potential
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- Unavailable
Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon vs Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofWestern States Endurance Run Ultramarathon or Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon — which comes out ahead?
Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon has the stronger available profile on flat grade share and course flatness.
Route comparison snapshot
Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 5.7% Favoured
- flat grade share
- 19.8% Favoured
- lower ascent
- 4,960 m
- climbing density
- 30.8 m/km
- net elevation
- -1,506 m
- maximum grade
- 39.2%
Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 11.6%
- flat grade share
- 16.8%
- lower ascent
- 1,966 m
- climbing density
- 39.3 m/km
- net elevation
- -1 m
- maximum grade
- 43.2%
| Metric | Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon | Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon |
|---|---|---|
| PB potential | 73/100 | Unavailable |
| Flat grade share | 19.8% ✓ | 16.8% |
| GAP factor (% slower than flat) | 5.7% ✓ | 11.6% |
| Uphill share | 32.9% | 37.3% |
| Steep-up share | 21.4% | 28.2% |
| Downhill share | 47.3% | 45.9% |
| Total ascent (m) | 4,960 m | 1,966 m |
| Climbing density (m/km) | 30.8 m/km | 39.3 m/km |
| Longest climb length (m) | 5,560 m | 3,280 m |
| Longest climb gain (m) | 746 m | 311 m |
| Longest climb average grade | 13.4% | 9.5% |
| Total descent (m) | 6,466 m | 1,967 m |
| Net elevation (m) | -1,506 m | -1 m |
| Max absolute grade | 39.2% | 43.2% |
| Start elevation (m) | 1,900 m | 14 m |
| Finish elevation (m) | 394 m | 14 m |
| Median finish context (s) | 25:42:15 | Unavailable |
| Beginner-friendliness | 60/100 | Unavailable |
| Scenic score | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Conditions | 9/100 | 76/100 ✓ |
Flat grade share
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 19.8% Favoured
GAP factor (% slower than flat)
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 5.7% Favoured
Uphill share
Steep-up share
Downhill share
Total ascent (m)
Climbing density (m/km)
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- 39.3 m/km
Longest climb length (m)
Longest climb gain (m)
Longest climb average grade
Total descent (m)
Net elevation (m)
Max absolute grade
Start elevation (m)
Finish elevation (m)
Median finish context (s)
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- Unavailable
Beginner-friendliness
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- Unavailable
Scenic score
Conditions
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- 76/100 Favoured
Only metrics available for at least one side are shown. A ✓ marks the better value for each metric (higher-is-better aware). Scores are out of 100 when available. Ascent, climbing density, max absolute grade and median finish describe course or field context and are not marked as better or worse.
Race facts that change the decision
| Fact | Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon | Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-06-27 (legacy event-level date). | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-08-15 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Olympic Valley to Auburn, California | Muir Beach, California |
| Actual distance | 161 km | 50 km |
| raceindex.org mapped route held | Held | Held |
| raceindex.org elevation profile held | Held | Held |
| Course type | Point To Point | Loop |
| Surface | Trail | Mixed terrain: single Track trail, fire roads, and brief sections along Highway 1 |
| Elevation character | Mountainous | Mountainous |
| Terrain | Trail | Beach, Trail |
| Scenery | Mountain, Riverside, Historic, Forest, Canyon | Coastal, Countryside, Mountain, Forest, Waterfront, Parkland |
| Atmosphere | Unavailable | Wilderness, Scenic Tour, Competitive |
| Technicality | Very Technical | Technical |
| Total ascent | 4,960 m | 1,966 m |
| Climbing density | 30.8 m/km | 39.3 m/km |
| Total descent | 6,466 m | 1,967 m |
| Net elevation | -1,506 m | -1 m |
| Max absolute grade | 39.2% | 43.2% |
| Flat grade share | 19.8% | 16.8% |
| GAP factor | 5.7% | 11.6% |
| Cutoff | 30:00:00 | 10:00:00 |
| Field cap | 369 | 250 |
| Latest finishers | 322 | Unavailable |
| Entry model | Ballot | Open |
Schedule
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-06-27 (legacy event-level date).
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-08-15 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Olympic Valley to Auburn, California
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- Muir Beach, California
Actual distance
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 161 km
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- 50 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Held
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Held
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- Held
Course type
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Point To Point
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- Loop
Surface
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Trail
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- Mixed terrain: single Track trail, fire roads, and brief sections along Highway 1
Elevation character
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Mountainous
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- Mountainous
Terrain
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Trail
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- Beach, Trail
Scenery
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Mountain, Riverside, Historic, Forest, Canyon
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- Coastal, Countryside, Mountain, Forest, Waterfront, Parkland
Atmosphere
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Unavailable
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- Wilderness, Scenic Tour, Competitive
Technicality
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Very Technical
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- Technical
Total ascent
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 4,960 m
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- 1,966 m
Climbing density
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 30.8 m/km
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- 39.3 m/km
Total descent
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 6,466 m
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- 1,967 m
Net elevation
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- -1,506 m
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- -1 m
Max absolute grade
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 39.2%
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- 43.2%
Flat grade share
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 19.8%
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- 16.8%
GAP factor
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 5.7%
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- 11.6%
Cutoff
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 30:00:00
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- 10:00:00
Field cap
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 369
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- 250
Latest finishers
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 322
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- Unavailable
Entry model
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Ballot
- Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon
- Open
Facts are shown only when they exist in the sourced race record; Not held means no sourced value is held for that race.
Common questions
Which is flatter, Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon or Tamalpa Headlands 50K Ultramarathon?
Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon has the lower GAP factor, making it the flatter course on our route model and more favourable on gradient alone.