Press release from the Greater Trinidad Chamber of Commerce:

The Trinidad to Clam Beach Run returns this Saturday, February 7, 2026, marking the 60th annual running of one of Trinidad’s most beloved community traditions. Participants can run, sprint, or walk the scenic 5¾-mile course beginning at Saunders Park, crossing Little River at Moonstone Beach, and finishing with a celebration at Clam Beach. To register for the event, visit exploretrinidadca.com/tcbr. 

GTCC Honors Past Participants

In honor of the race’s milestone, the Greater Trinidad Chamber of Commerce will recognize individuals with ties to the earliest days of the event, including two individuals who ran in the inaugural 1966 race, and one who helped turn a legendary training route into the race known today. Honorees include Bill Ferlatte, Tom Beck, and Darren Walton.

Bill Ferlatte, 5th place finisher in the inaugural Trinidad to Clam Beach Run, helped shape the original course after training runs in the Trinidad area with the Humboldt State team. Ferlatte later built a career as a biologist and was inducted into the Dipsea Hall of Fame in June 2025, joining a small group of Humboldt alumni honored there, including former Clam Beach winners Don Makela (1973 winner) and Ron Elijah (1976 winner). 

Tom Beck, former Humboldt State College cross country and track athlete, worked with Ferlatte in 1965 to propose adding the course to the AAU schedule, after being inspired by classic Bay Area races like the Dipsea and Bay to Breakers. Beck later returned to run the Trinidad to Clam Beach Run in 1972, earning a third-place finish. He’ll be traveling from Sonora to attend this weekend’s celebration.

Darren Walton placed 7th in the 1966 race. At the time, he was a sophomore at Novato High School. Sixty years later, he’s returning to run again, after traveling from the Bay Area for the event several times throughout the decades. 

Community members and runners are invited to meet the honorees at the Jogg’n Shoppe on Friday, February 6, at 2:30 p.m. Honorees will also attend the annual Pasta Feed on Friday, February 6, at 5:30 p.m. at the Dow’s Prairie Grange (3995 Dows Prairie Rd, McKinleyville). Runners and supporters are encouraged to attend and “carb up” before race day. Plates are just $15, and you can place an advance order at pasta-bar.cheddarup.com. This event benefits the Dows Prairie Grange #505 restoration project. Honorees will also be at the start line on Saturday to cheer on runners.

Racing on Saturday? Here’s what you need to know.

  • Cost: $50
  • Registration: Register online at exploretrinidadca.com/tcbr
  • Start time: 9:30 a.m.
  • Line-up location: Saunders Park, 400 Janis Ct, Trinidad
  • Packet pickup: Friday, February 6, from 3-6 p.m. at Jogg’n Shoppe, 1090 G St., Arcata
  • Race day packet pickup: Saturday, February 7, from 7:30-9:15 a.m. at Trinidad Town Hall, 409 Trinity St., Trinidad