Bizz Johnson Marathon
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About the race
The Bizz Johnson events are multiple-distance trail races near Susanville, California, held on the Bizz Johnson Trail and adjacent roads through Lassen National Forest. The full marathon is a net downhill course with a total net loss of 929 feet and a reported 1,300-foot descent over the final 20 miles. The trail follows the former Fernley and Lassen Branch railroad route built in 1914 and passes scenic features including the Susan River Canyon, orange cliffs, ten wooden railroad bridge river crossings, and two former railroad tunnels of about 800 feet and 450 feet located roughly four miles from the finish.
All races use remote starts with bus transportation to their respective trailheads. Packet pickup is handled at the Susanville Historic Train Depot, 601 Richmond Road. The events include these distances:
- 50K: starts at Mason Station Trailhead with a 3.24-mile out-and-back on McCoy Road, then onto the Bizz Johnson Trail to Hobo Camp Day Use Area.
- Marathon: starts at Mason Station Trailhead with a 0.78-mile out-and-back on McCoy Road, then onto the Bizz Johnson Trail to Hobo Camp Day Use Area.
- Express Half Marathon (13.1 miles): remote start at Goumaz Campground, follows the final half of the full marathon course.
- Express 10K: starts at Devil's Corral Trailhead and follows the final 6.2 miles of the marathon route, mostly downhill.
The full marathon course is USATF certified (CA18035RS). Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
