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 veer left to climb several switchbacks into the Mariposa Reserve where they continue up to the Doppler on N. Main Divide. From there runners travel back Black Star but continue on to Skyline Drive into Corona and return to the Finish the same way. The elevation gain for the marathon is 4,244’. The 25k distance is new to this race. It follows the same route as the marathoners up to the Dopper. From there, 25k runners turnaround and return to the start. 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. Elevation gain for half marathon is 1,773′. 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. Elevation gain for the 10k is 706′.
Saddleback Marathon
Nov 7, 2026
7:30 AM
Trail
$90-$130
Silverado
1-100
Fast & Flat
Mountain Views, Forested
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 veer left to climb several switchbacks into the Mariposa Reserve where they continue up to the Doppler on N. Main Divide. From there runners travel back Black Star but continue on to Skyline Drive into Corona and return to the Finish the same way. The elevation gain for the marathon is 4,244’.
The 25k distance is new to this race. It follows the same route as the marathoners up to the Dopper. From there, 25k runners turnaround and return to the start.
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. Elevation gain for half marathon is 1,773′.
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. Elevation gain for the 10k is 706′.
