Bizz Johnson

Bizz Johnson

The Bizz Johnson races take place on the Bizz Johnson Trail near Susanville, California, using historic rails-to-trails route through Lassen National Forest. The event offers multiple point-to-point distances that start at remote trailheads and finish at Hobo Camp near the Susanville Railroad Depot. The full marathon is USATF certified (CA18035RS) and is listed as a Boston Marathon qualifier. The course has a net downhill loss of 929 feet; the first miles climb about 280 feet to Westwood Junction, then descend, including roughly a 1300-foot drop over the final 20 miles.

The trail follows the former Fernley and Lassen Branch railroad. Runners pass through the Susan River Canyon, cross the river ten times on wooden railroad bridges, and go through two former railroad tunnels about 800 feet and 450 feet long located roughly four miles from the finish. Aid stations for 2026 list HEED Electrolyte and Hammer Gel by Hammer Nutrition. The event provides paper cups at aid stations and offers a HydraPak SpeedCup as an optional reusable cup.

Packet pickup is handled at the Susanville Historic Train Depot on Saturday and during pre-race morning pickup windows. Buses transport participants from the depot to remote start locations; a shuttle runs between the finish at Hobo Camp and the depot on race day. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.