Saddleback Marathon @ Black Star Canyon Road, Silverado, CA, United States on 26 April 2025

In 2024, we were hoping to go out of Blue Jay Campgrounds, which has been our tradition. But the “Airport” fire out of Trabuco Cyn closed that section of the Trabuco District in the Cleveland National Forest. So, we are re-routing for April’s race. We’re still in the Trabco District, but we’ll be going out of Black Star Canyon instead. We promise a daunting course with significant elevation gain.

The full marathon begins on Black Star Canyon Road. Runners follow the creek into the canyon on a relatively flat truck trail (with a slight gain) for approximately 2.5 miles. At the Falls turnoff, runners climb several switchbacks into the Mariposa Reserve where they continue up to N. Main Divide. From there, runners turn left and travel down Skyline Drive into Corona and return to the Finish the same way. The elevation gain for the marathon is about 4,600’.

The half marathon begins in the same location. Runners also follow the creek into the canyon, and then up the switchbacks into the Mariposa Reserve and continue up Black Star Canyon Road another 1.5 miles past the historic Indian village where they return to the Finish the same way.

The 10k begins the same as the other distances. Though the course is mostly “flat” runners will climb a few switchbacks up Black Star Canyon Road before turning around and returning to the Finish.
Elevations will be published soon.