About This Race
The 10K strikes a balance between accessibility and challenge, offering runners a substantial taste of Black Mountain's technical terrain without the full commitment of the longer distance. This middle-ground option provides enough mileage to engage with the park's signature rocky sections while remaining manageable for runners building their technical skills. The distance works well for those wanting meaningful trail time without the extended effort of the half marathon.
All distances start and finish at Black Mountain Community Park, with routes diverging based on distance selection. The half marathon tackles the most challenging terrain, featuring significant climbing on technical singletrack trails that demand careful footwork and sustained effort. The shorter distances utilize less technical but still challenging groomed dirt trails, offering substantial climbing while remaining more accessible to developing trail runners.
Elevation Profile
Elevation profile estimated from terrain data. Actual course may differ.
The course gains 469 ft over 6 miles, with the steepest section between mile 1–mile 1.
Location
Practical Info
SAN - San Diego International Airport
Best For
Notable Features
This race serves as an ERS Championship Qualifier and is deliberately scheduled as a post-Thanksgiving tradition, combining holiday recovery with serious trail running. The event maintains exclusivity with a 300-runner cap, ensuring it sells out while preserving the trail experience. The technical nature of the half marathon course, described as the most challenging in the series, attracts competitive runners while the shorter distances provide stepping stones for developing trail runners.