I decided to run the Saddleback Trail Marathon in the Cleveland National Forest, even though it was billed as the “toughest marathon in California.” Saturday morning (12/2/01), I found myself with 120 other people at Blue Jay Campground at 3,300 ft. elevation wearing shorts with water bottles strapped on.
The first part (to 3.5 miles and the aid station) was a combination of paved roads and old rocky dirt fire roads. Then the track was single-track and downhill. Much of it was so rocky, I was worried about breaking my ankles, but I seemed to be the only one troubled by this, since everyone was flying by me.
When I was not watching my feet, I noticed the trail was tree-lined, so it was like running through a leafy, shady tunnel. Very pretty. At the bottom, it was a wide dirt road again and ran past cabins. There were a couple of stream crossings that I was fortunately able to do on rocks or logs, so I could stay dry. Suddenly, it was very cold in the canyon.
The next aid station was at 9.5 miles, and after that it was the Holy Jim Trail. This was a LONG climb of 2,225 feet along narrow, but mostly good trails. (I now passed most of those who passed me going down.) I was enjoying myself, when suddenly the trail seemed to end.
I heard voices (not that unusual for me) and could see a road above me, so I scrambled up the 20 ft of a rocky hill to the 14.5 aid station. I refilled my water bottle, admired the M&Ms, potatoes, gummi bears, bananas, oranges, graham crackers, honey, pretzels, bagels and such at the best stocked aid station ever, and then was off. Next were more short, but steep hills. The trail here was a wide rocky fire road with rolling hills (steep but short) and some spectacular views of the mountains and cities down below. When I had driven up for the race, it was so foggy I could barely see the road. Now I saw Elsinore lake for the first time, and the view was stunning. I was now out in the sun, it was warming up, and George Harrison’s song “Here Comes the Sun” came into my mind, which was a little sad, because he had died just a few days earlier. I was tired, but this section alone made it all worthwhile. I got to the 18.5 mile aid station (at the exact time it took me to finish the Long Beach Marathon) without having seen another person along this stretch.
There were a couple more hills and some more wonderful views up tot he final aid station at mile 22.5, which was also the overall high point of 4,194 feet. From here it was all downhill and I was feeling pretty good, so I took off. Near the last mile, I missed a turn off (hmm..., I wonder what those chalk marks are? I thought, as I went by them) and ran too far down a road until a dead end made me realize my mistake. I finished in 4:11:25, which is a PR of sorts, MY SLOWEST MARATHON TIME EVER!
Would I recommend the race? Except for dangerous rocky downhill, it was an excellent race. If you have trouble with footing, I would avoid it. The trail was pretty well marked, but I was not the only one who got lost. A couple of people did also, in other places - one guy adding about 40 minutes to his time! But the aid stations were the best I have ever seen, and the people who were in charge of the race as well as the other runners were great. The scenery was breathtaking. And I found the solitude added a fantastic mood to the last few miles.