Saturday, March 2, 2024 • Saratoga, CA • Course Map
Set for its annual running this year in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Sanborn Park Trail Challenge runs feature a half marathon, 9-mile and a 4.2-mile race that take runners on an out-and-back trail run through Sanborn Skyline County Park, which looks out onto nearby Saratoga, Cupertino and San Jose from the mountains above the valley.
Runners will start the race at the park entrance visitor center just off Sanborn Road, which lies just over a 10-minute drive west from Saratoga.
From there, the course takes runners on a winding route along the nearly 3,700-acre park’s 15 miles of lushly wooded trails in the Santa Cruz Mountains, along the San Andreas, Skyline and Summit Rock Loop trails out to the half marathon turnaround point, which lies parallel to Skyline Boulevard.
The trails are made up mostly of single-track dirt trails through the park’s lush forests, and there are some challenging hills — runners can expect to climb roughly 1,800 feet between the starting line and the 3rd and 4th miles of the race, along the Skyline Trail that parallels Skyline Boulevard.
Organizers describe the course as “extremely mountainous and very technical,” to give you an indication of how challenging the trails can be.
While organizers plan to post two fully stocked aid stations out on the course, runners are strongly encouraged to bring along their own water to supplement what they get on the course and ensure they stay properly hydrated during the race.
Race Weather & Climate
Located in Northern California near the southern end of San Francisco Bay, about 10 miles southwest of San Jose and roughly 45 miles southeast of San Francisco, Saratoga typically sees March temperatures between 43°F and 64°F.
On the day of the race (March 2), the average low is 43°F and the average high is 65°F.
Course Map
See the race route map for the Sanborn Park Trail Challenge Half Marathon here.
Starting Time
8:30 AM
Fees
- $50 for the half marathon
- $45 for the 9 mile
- $35 for the 4.2 mile
- prices subject to increase as race day approaches
Registration
To reserve your spot in any of the race distances at the 2024 running of Saratoga’s Sanborn Park Trail Challenge, register online at UltraSignUp.com here.
Official Race Website
Comments
Ever run in the Sanborn Park Trail Challenge? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.
I show up at the event (March 7th marathon on Sanborn park) and there was no e event. I would like a refund. Thank you!