Sean O'Brian Trail Runs

Considered the recreational crown jewel of the Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu Creek State Park has over 8,000 acres of rolling tallgrass plains, oak savannahs and dramatic peaks. Rapid, dramatic geologic changes created the spectacular landscape of Malibu Creek State Park. Its jagged mountains, rock outcroppings, cliff-like slopes and deep gorges were formed over two million years by severe climate changes, earthquakes, erosion and tectonic plate collisions. These forces continue to shape the landscape today. The Malibu Creek State Park is host to the annual Sean O’Brien 50M race.

The Sean O’Brien 50M was created after the original Ray Miller course had suffered a devastating fire in early May. The area was badly burned, and needed time to heal. The race director was inspired to still bring a solid, competitive, and tough 50 mile/50k race to southern California in early winter. She also had a deep desire to still have this sort of race in the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains.

The result was the creation of one of the most epic race courses to date on the West Coast. Personally mapped out and created by her close friend, Sean O’Brien, it only seemed fair to name the race after him. The race course consists of beautiful single-track on the Backbone Trail, miles of sweeping ocean views, and close to 11,000+ feet of gain in the 50-mile distance. The back country trails of the Santa Monica Mountains are breathtaking and some parts rarely touched.