Point Mariah Trail Marathon
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Point Mariah Trail Marathon
The Point Mariah Trail Marathon, presented by the Donner Party Mountain Runners, takes place Saturday, August 1, 2026, in Soda Springs, California. The event is the fifth annual running and uses protected Royal Gorge land near Soda Springs.
The course is a multi-loop route made of five segments that return to a single central aid station at Soda Springs Road. Total distance is approximately 26.4 miles with roughly 4,300 ft of vertical gain; elevations range from about 6,800 feet at the start/finish to just over 7,600 feet on Razorback Ridge. Trail surfaces are mostly singletrack (85%) with the remainder on double track and dirt road. Runners pass the central aid station four times.
Segment details include:
- Emigrant Outbound and Return: each about 5.8 miles with roughly 900 ft gain on the return and 950 ft gain outbound.
- Point Mariah: about 4.85 miles with about 700 ft gain.
- Rowton Peak Lollipop: about 5.75 miles with about 850 ft gain.
- Razorback Ridge: about 4.26 miles with about 900 ft gain.
Race options include a solo marathon, a two-person Partner Marathon relay, and a 3-5 person Team Marathon relay. All relay handoffs must occur at the central aid station. The aid station may offer fruit, sweet and salty snacks, pancakes, quesadillas, PB&J, sodas, electrolyte drink mix, and gels; runners are advised to carry any specific nutrition they require.
Logistics note that parking is limited to Soda Springs Ski Resort and personal vehicles are not allowed to drive to the aid station or along the course. A free shuttle will run between the start/finish area and the central aid station, or the aid station can be reached by walking, running, or biking (about 2.5 miles). No drop bag service is provided. There is an 8-hour finish time limit. The refund policy is 100% prior to July 1 and 0% on or after July 1. Post-race activities include a cookout with hot food, beer, vendors, and music. Volunteer roles cover setup, registration, aid station, shuttle driving, finish logistics, and cleanup. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
