Merced River Canyon Run

Merced River Canyon Run

The Merced River Canyon Run takes place in Briceburg, California, featuring two distinct types of courses along hardpacked unpaved roads. Participants can observe the scenery of the Merced River Canyon as they navigate the routes, which are located in Mariposa County. Access to the event location is provided via Highway 140.

The event offers two main race distances:

• 5 Miles: A flat out-and-back course that follows an old railroad grade toward the McCabe Flat Campground.
• 8.8 Miles: A hill climb consisting of a steep ascent with more than four miles of switchbacks.

The 5 Mile race is characterized by its level terrain, designed as a fast out-and-back route starting from the Briceburg bridge parking lot. It utilizes a gravel road and includes a limited aid station at the turnaround point near the campground.

The 8.8 Mile (approximately 9 Mile) Burma Grade race starts at river level and heads uphill. This course provides the most elevation gain of any footrace in the county. Runners navigate four miles of switchbacks to reach the top before returning to the start. A limited aid station is positioned at the turnaround point at the top of the grade. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.