Rerouted & Rescheduled

Due to the "Airport" Fire out of Trabuco Canyon, The Saddleback Marathon has been rerouted and rescheduled for April 26, 2025

About the Race

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.

Details

Check in: 6:30 am - 7:00 am
Race Announcements: 7:15 am
Race Start: 7:30 am (8:00, 8:30)

Aid Stations (will be adjusted slightly):
AS 1: 2.5 miles Falls Turnoff
AS 2: 6.6 miles Near Mariposa
AS 3: 8.5 miles Skyline Top
AS 4: 13.1 miles Skyline bottom
AS 5: 17.7 miles Skyline Top
AS 6: 19.7 miles Near Mariposa
AS 7: 23.5 miles Falls Turnoff
Due to the difficult nature of the course, this race does have cut offs:
AS 4 Skyline Bottom, 12:00 Noon

Refunds

Refunds
No Refunds. This race does not allow refunds of any kind. Race entries will be applied to the following year's race should the Saddleback Marathon get cancelled due to circumstances beyond the race director's control (fire, government, shutdown, etc). Our first choice is not to cancel. We always have a Plan B. If the trail becomes unavailable, we will move to Plan B if possible.

Please see website for complete details.

Event's current local time: 12:29 PM PT