Saddleback Marathon
Silverado, United States • 7 Nov 2026
Saddleback Marathon - Silverado, CA
Scheduled for November 7, 2026 in Silverado, California, the Saddleback Marathon is a trail running event held in the Trabuco District of the Cleveland National Forest. The 2026 routes run out of Black Star Canyon after continued closure of the Blue Jay campgrounds following the Airport Fire.
The event has a long history: it was first run in 1988, was canceled in 2018 due to the Holy Fire, returned in 2019 with a reroute, was canceled in 2020 because of the pandemic, and returned in 2023 and 2025 with reroutes. For 2026 the race again uses Black Star Canyon as the start location.
The full marathon begins on Black Star Canyon Road, follows the creek into the canyon on a relatively flat truck trail for about 2.5 miles, then climbs switchbacks into the Mariposa Reserve and up to the Doppler on North Main Divide. Marathoners continue to Skyline Drive into Corona before returning along the same corridor. Elevation gains are provided for each distance below. The 25k follows the marathon route to the Doppler and returns. The half and 10k use the same initial canyon approach with shorter turnarounds.
Distances: Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
- Marathon - elevation gain 4,244'
- 25k - elevation gain 2,517'
- Half Marathon - elevation gain 1,773'
- 10K - elevation gain 706'