The Running Fence Run: A Run of Freedom- Celebrating Christo's 1976 "Running Fence” art project

The Running Fence Run: A Run of Freedom

On September 12, 2026, runners return to the stunning Sonoma County hills to celebrate two milestone anniversaries:

The 50th anniversary of Christo & Jeanne-Claude's Running Fence art installation  —  September 10-24, 1976

The 2,516th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon — September 12, 490 BC

Please note: The course is on county asphalt roads. This is not on private ranch land, which has no running trails and many barbed fence crossings. Only one runner actually attempted to run the cross-country route. Several runners ran on the roads where the public viewed the Running Fence. The Running Fence was only installed for two-weeks in 1976 and is not on the hills any more.. There will be a small section of Running Fence installed at the Start/finish in Bloomfield for photo opportunities, but the 24.5-mile installation will not be recreated.

The Race will be limited to a maximum 36 runners in each distance per agreement with California Highway Patrol.

Course links are below. 

Marathon route 

10K route

5K route

The Connection Between Art and Running

In September 1976, artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude stretched a 24.5-mile ribbon of white fabric across the hills of Sonoma and Marin counties — for just two weeks. That distance echoes the original marathon: the ancient Greek messenger Pheidippides ran from Marathon to Athens to announce a stunning military victory, one that saved the cradle of democracy. That run inspired the marathon we race today.

Christo fled communist Bulgaria in 1957, seeking freedom in the West. He called the Running Fence "a scream of freedom" — art that answered to no one, funded entirely by the artists themselves, rippling in the open California wind.

Featured in Runner's World magazine (Nov. 1976), a few runners ran the length of the fence, including Christo's fabric supplier, Bob Urie, a marathoner who helped organize the 1976 New York City Marathon.

Running is freedom! Like a long run, freedom takes endurance, courage, and the willingness to go the distance.

Choose your challenge — 5K, 10K, or full 26.2 — and run through the same beautiful landscape where the Running Fence once stood.

Race Packet Distribution:

Sports Basement -Santa Rosa

Friday, September 11, 4PM – 7 PM

20% discount for Basementeers, valid for both days of Running Fence Run Packet Pickup.