There’s something electric about saying yes to your first race, especially when it’s something as raw, technical, and adrenaline-filled as Enduro.
This May, the Marin mountain biking community comes alive again with the return of the Marinduro Race, hosted by Marin Trail Stewards, and this year marks its fourth year.
After connecting with founder Vernon Hoffman, one thing is clear. This isn’t just a race. It’s a full-send celebration of grit, growth, and the kind of courage that only shows up when you drop in.
What Is the Marinduro?
The Marinduro Race is a multi-stage mountain bike event that blends endurance with technical downhill riding and smart pacing. You earn your descents with the climbs, then let it rip when it counts.
Set in the rugged, flowy, sometimes chunky terrain of Marin, this year’s event hits two iconic zones:
- Saturday, April 11 – Annadel State Park (practice and prep ride)
- Sunday, April 12 – China Camp State Park (race day)
Whether you’re chasing a podium or just trying to hold your line and breathe through the rocks, the Marinduro is built for both.
Learn more and register here:
- Marin Trail Stewards
- Ride Trailworks
Registration deadline: Thursday, April 9
First Race Energy: Fear, Flow, and Finding Your Line
Let’s be real. Enduro can feel intimidating. Chunky sections, speed, exposure, all of it.
But that edge you feel at the top of a descent? That’s not a stop sign. That’s your body waking up.
With coaching support from Brian Astell, riders are learning how to work with that energy, not against it. Brakes where you need them. Commitment where it counts. Eyes up. Trust your bike.
This is how progression actually happens:
- You show up unsure
- You drop in anyway
- You surprise yourself
A Personal Commitment: Showing Up Anyway
This year, I, Liz Donahue, am lining up for my very first Marinduro. First Enduro race, period.
Last year, it didn’t happen. Life got real. Someone was sick, I was injured, kids needed me. The window closed before I could step through it.
This year is different. I’m in.
And if you’re a woman reading this, you probably get it. We carry a lot. Responsibility, protection, the constant awareness of risk. That voice that says, “maybe not today.”
But here’s the shift. We don’t have to override fear with pressure. We get to ride through it with intention. This is about turning fear into fuel. Not forcing it, not fighting it, but using it to move forward.
There is a version of you that knows how to do this. Strong, grounded, a little wild. The girl who flows, who trusts, who lets the bike dance underneath her instead of gripping through every second.
That’s the version we’re riding toward.
Women Leading the Charge
This is not just about racing. It’s about showing up together and leveling up. The Women’s Clinic and Race Prep Experience, hosted with Ride Trailworks, is where confidence gets built before you even hit the start line.
Women’s Clinic Highlights
- Sunday clinic at Tamarancho dialed on skills and confidence
- Saturday prep ride at Annadel to get eyes on terrain and find your flow
- Focus on descending, line choice, body position, and staying calm when things get fast
There is also a 25 percent off women’s-only registration opportunity available by reaching out directly.
A Story Worth Following: Gabby Hoffman
Keep your eye on Gabby Hoffman this year.
She took the win in her category last season and is back again, riding strong and fast. Backed by a family that rides, supports, and believes, she’s a reminder of what’s possible when you grow up in this sport.
A full MTB Girls feature on Gabby and her family is coming soon.
Gratitude to the Vision Behind It All
A huge thank you to Vernon Hoffman and the entire crew making this happen.
Four years of building this race takes serious perseverance, focus, calm, and strength. It takes showing up again and again for the community, for the trails, and for the riders.
We can’t wait to line up, race it, and watch your daughter back on that podium, just like last year in her category. That kind of leadership, as a dad, coach, and founder, sets the tone for everything this race stands for.
Why This Race Matters
The Marinduro is more than a race. It’s a place where:
- New riders find their edge
- Women step into bigger lines and bigger confidence
- Community shows up for each other
- Fear turns into momentum
You don’t have to be the fastest rider out there. You just have to be willing to drop in.
Ready to Race?
- Register before April 9
- Join the women’s clinic and prep rides
- Commit to the experience
Final Word
You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to show up, clip in, and take the first turn.
