Saddleback Marathon 2026: Course, Aid Stations and Cutoffs
Quick answer: The Saddleback Marathon is on Saturday, November 7, 2026, on Black Star Canyon Road in Silverado, California, with a marathon, a new 25K, a half marathon and a 10K. Every distance is an out-and-back course, mostly on truck trail, that turns around at a set mile. The marathon climbs 4,244 feet and must reach Skyline Bottom, at mile 13, by 12:00 noon. Parking is free and, according to the race, no Adventure Pass is needed. LECAMO is a sponsor of this year's race.
Saddleback Marathon 2026 at a glance
| Distance | Turnaround | Elevation gain | Start | Cutoff | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon | Mile 13.1 | 4,244 ft | 7:30 AM | Skyline Bottom (mile 13) by 12:00 noon | $150 |
| 25K (new) | About mile 8 | 2,517 ft | 7:30 AM | Doppler Ball (mile 8) by 10:30 AM | $150 |
| Half marathon | Mile 6.6 | 1,773 ft | 7:30 AM | Average at least 3 mph | $120 |
| 10K | Mile 3.1 | 706 ft | 8:00 AM | Average at least 3 mph | $100 |
From the race's details page, UltraSignup page and 2026 racebook, read October 9, 2026. Entry prices are before UltraSignup fees. Online registration closes Thursday, November 5, at 11:59 PM PT, and the racebook says race-day registration is allowed, cash or Zelle only. There are no refunds. Marathon and 25K runners who need more time can ask for the 6:00 AM early start by emailing the race a week ahead; early starters cannot win awards.
Aid stations
- AS1: mile 3.1
- AS2: mile 6.6, near Mariposa
- AS3: mile 7.5, at the Black Star Canyon Road and North Main Divide junction
- AS4: mile 8, near Doppler
- AS5: mile 8.5, at the same junction
- AS6: mile 13.1, Skyline Bottom
Marathoners pass every station again on the way back except AS4. The race lists first aid, water, electrolytes and food at the stations, and the racebook describes the food as salty and sweet.
What to carry
Aid stations do hand out cups this year, though the race plans to go cup-free in a future year once its cup stock runs out, so carrying your own bottle or flask is still the smart move. No gear is required. For marathoners the longest gap is between AS5 at mile 8.5 and AS6 at mile 13.1, about 4.6 miles each way, with the descent down Skyline Drive on the way out and the climb back up on the return. Two 500ml soft flasks give you a liter for that stretch, which is what the ROOT5 and ROOT8 vests come with. Trekking poles are allowed.
Course notes
After the 2024 Airport Fire the race moved from Blue Jay Campground to Black Star Canyon in 2025. The marathon runs out on Black Star Canyon Road for about 2.5 miles along the creek, climbs switchbacks into the Mariposa Reserve, joins North Main Divide, then drops down Skyline Drive toward Corona before turning back. The surface is mostly truck trail with no single track, and the course is marked with colored ties. The race says the 10K and half marathon are identical to 2025, and the marathon has been lengthened because it was short last year. Course maps on the race site were still being updated when we checked.
Race day logistics
- Getting there: take Santiago Canyon Road to Silverado Canyon Road, then turn immediately left onto Black Star Canyon Road and drive to the end.
- Start and finish: by the Forest gate on Black Star Canyon Road. The details page puts the line about a tenth of a mile from the gate. There are porta-potties at the start.
- Parking: free, and the race says no Adventure Pass or permit is required. Park head-on or back-in along the side of the road before the gate, and do not block the trail or emergency access. The roads beyond the gate are closed to public vehicles.
- Check-in: race morning, 6:00 to 7:00 AM on the details page; the racebook says from 5:30 AM. Announcements are at 7:20 AM.
- Rules: headphones are allowed if you can still hear people coming, but no speakers. Pacers are not allowed. If you drop, you must tell a race official. Dropping to a shorter distance makes you ineligible for awards.
- Staying nearby: there is no camping at the start. The nearest hotels are 12.5 to 18 miles away in Orange and Anaheim.
Awards and what you get
Entry includes a race-day shirt, a beanie, finish line snacks and a finisher medal. The top 3 overall get special awards; the racebook says top 3 in each distance. Timing is by Fusion Timing.
November weather
NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals for the Santa Ana Fire Station give an average November high of 74°F and low of 53°F. That station is in the lowlands, and the course climbs into the mountains, so expect cooler air on the ridge. The racebook says November can be mild, warm or rainy, and asks runners to check the forecast.
Why LECAMO is backing Saddleback
The Saddleback Marathon has been run since 1988. LECAMO is supplying vests and soft flasks to this year's race, and our logo sits with the race's partners on its website and racebook. You can see every race we support on our race partners page.
FAQ
When is the 2026 Saddleback Marathon?
Saturday, November 7, 2026. The marathon, 25K and half start at 7:30 AM and the 10K at 8:00 AM. Older listings that show an April date or a Blue Jay Campground start are out of date.
Do I need an Adventure Pass to park?
The race says parking along Black Star Canyon Road is free and no Adventure Pass is required.
Can I register on race day?
Online registration closes November 5, and the racebook says race-day registration is allowed, cash or Zelle only.
Are pacers or poles allowed?
Poles are allowed. Pacers are not.
Sources: OTR race page, details, course, the 2026 racebook, UltraSignup and NOAA NCEI climate normals. Read October 9, 2026.