Skip to content

Tahoe 200 is a 205 miles ultra marathon in Homewood, United States. Distance: 330km. Elevation: 12,200m D+. Difficulty: legendary (Challenge Rating 60/100). DNF rate: 55%. Time limit: 100h. Surface: trail. Established 2014.

205 miles legendary mountainous trail scenic lakeside

Tahoe 200

Homewood, California, United States

"Circle Lake Tahoe on foot — 205 miles, 12,200m of climbing, and a 100-hour time limit."

60
Challenging
Distance 330km
Elevation Gain ↑12,200m
Surface trail
DNF Rate 55%
Cutoff 100h
What Makes It Unique

A complete circumnavigation of Lake Tahoe — 205 miles of high-altitude trail with 12,200m of climbing and a legendary 55% DNF rate.

The Course

A complete circumnavigation of Lake Tahoe, one of the largest alpine lakes in North America. The course follows the Tahoe Rim Trail and Pacific Crest Trail through granite mountains, pine forests, and high alpine terrain. 205 miles with over 12,000m of climbing at altitude.

Profile

mountainous

Topology

loop

Aid Stations

15

Highest Point

2,850m

Yes Crew Access
Yes Pacers (after 100km)
No Mandatory Gear

Runner Experience

Scenery 5/5
Organization 3/5
Community 3/5
Aid Stations

Solid aid station network with 15 stops along the course. Standard ultra fare — food, electrolytes, first aid.

Post-Race Culture

Post-race gathering with awards, food, and shared stories. The ultra community spirit is strong at Tahoe 200.

Race Day Weather

Temperature

14°C

2° – 28°

Humidity

20%

Rain Chance

10%

Conditions

August at Lake Tahoe altitude. Hot days, cold nights. Very dry. High altitude with thin air. Extreme UV exposure.

Stats & Records

Established

2014

Finishers

80

Avg Finish

90:00:00

Course Record (M)

47:08:00

Jeff Browning (2022)

Course Record (W)

56:25:00

Courtney Dauwalter (2018)

Entry

Entry Cost

$750

Opens

October

Sells Out

weeks

Lottery Qualification Required Max Starters: 200
Official Website →

Lore & Trivia

The Tahoe 200 circles the entire Lake Tahoe basin in the Sierra Nevada — 200 miles of single-track through one of the most beautiful alpine landscapes in North America. The course follows the Tahoe Rim Trail and parts of the Pacific Crest Trail at elevations between 1,900m and 2,900m, passing through granite peaks, alpine meadows, ancient forest, and the impossibly blue shores of Tahoe itself. Founded in 2014 by Candice Burt as part of a series of 200-mile races (with Bigfoot and Moab), Tahoe 200 was among the first races to popularise the 200-mile distance in America. The race takes 4-5 days for most finishers — a continuous mountain traverse with four nights of running, minimal sleep, and the ever-present question: how much can you endure before the body simply refuses?

  • 205 miles (330km) circumnavigating Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada.
  • Follows the Tahoe Rim Trail and Pacific Crest Trail.
  • Elevation ranges from 1,900m to 2,900m — never below the tree line.
  • Founded in 2014 — one of the first organised 200-mile races.
  • Most finishers take 4-5 days, running through 4 nights.
  • Courtney Dauwalter won overall (beating all men) in 2018.
  • Lake Tahoe is visible from dozens of points on the course.
  • Bear encounters are not uncommon — food must be stored properly.

Four nights. Two hundred miles. Lake Tahoe appearing and disappearing through the trees like a blue hallucination.

— A 2019 finisher On the recurring views of Tahoe from the rim trail

Notable Editions

2018

Courtney Dauwalter's 200-Mile Statement

Courtney Dauwalter won Tahoe 200 outright — first overall, ahead of all men — in a dominant performance that helped establish her as the greatest ultrarunner of her generation. She finished in just over 60 hours, sleeping less than two hours total.

Compare with another race

Similar Races

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Tahoe 200? +

Tahoe 200 is a 205 miles (330km) ultra marathon with 12,200m of elevation gain. The course is loop on trail terrain.

How hard is Tahoe 200? +

Tahoe 200 is rated legendary with a Challenge Rating of 60/100 (Challenging). The DNF rate is 55%. Runners have 100 hours to finish.

How do I enter Tahoe 200? +

Must have completed a qualifying 100-mile event within time cutoff. Entry is by lottery. Entry costs $750. with a maximum of 200 starters.

What is the weather like at Tahoe 200? +

Average temperature is 14°C (range 2°C to 28°C) with 20% humidity and a 10% chance of rain. August at Lake Tahoe altitude. Hot days, cold nights. Very dry. High altitude with thin air. Extreme UV exposure.

Are crew and pacers allowed at Tahoe 200? +

Crew access is allowed. Pacers are allowed after 100km.

What is the course record for Tahoe 200? +

The men's course record is 47:08:00 set by Jeff Browning in 2022. The women's course record is 56:25:00 set by Courtney Dauwalter in 2018.

What is the average finish time for Tahoe 200? +

The average finish time is 90:00:00. About 80 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 55%.

Are you the organizer? Claim this race

Stay in the loop

New races, course records, and stories from the trail — monthly

← Back to all races