About This Race
The Black Mountain Turkey Burner stands as the most technical offering in the ERS Sunshine Series, drawing runners to San Diego's Black Mountain Ranch Park for a challenging post-Thanksgiving workout. This ninth annual event combines the holiday tradition of burning off excess calories with serious trail running across varied terrain and significant elevation gain. The race offers three distance options, each presenting its own character. The half marathon delivers the full technical challenge with major climbing on demanding singletrack, while the 10K and 5K provide more approachable experiences on groomed dirt trails. With participant numbers capped at 300 runners due to park guidelines, this event maintains an intimate atmosphere while consistently selling out. The race has established itself as an ERS Championship Qualifier, attracting competitive runners alongside those simply seeking a scenic challenge. Course records reflect the demanding nature of the terrain, with winning times that speak to both the technical difficulty and elevation profile that define this San Diego trail running staple.
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.
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.