Welcome!
This is Siskiyou Out Back
Join us on July 11-12, 2026 high above the Rogue Valley for the 27th annual Siskiyou Out Back Trail Running Festival (The SOB!). Explore the Pacific Crest Trail, The Siskiyou Mountains, spectacular views of Mt Shasta and the Cascades, and some of the trails that make Ashland a premier Pacific Northwest trail running destination. The SOB is a non profit race with a strong local community vibe that also welcomes runners from all over the world who want to experience our little trail running mecca.
This year we are excited to continue the two day festival format with everything Ashland, camping, food, music, and a mix of super approachable distances and courses along with the more difficult (and very beautiful) 100k course. We are also excited about some tweaks to the 100k and 50k courses that we hope show off the best of the Siskiyous and the Ashland watershed while keeping with the roots of the SOB.
So, pick a distance and join us for two days of running, food, friends and music in a mountain playground with a vibrant, friendly, and welcoming running community!
THE BRINK 100 Course Description
From town to summit, the Brink 100 starts in the heart of Ashland and finishes high at Mt. Ashland Lodge. With over 23,000 feet of climbing, two 5,000-foot ascents, high points above 7,000 feet, and stunning stretches of the Pacific Crest Trail, it’s a true mountain hundred.
The Brink 100 begins in downtown Ashland and quickly heads into the Ashland Creek Watershed and up the first of two 5,000-foot climbs. Runners begin with the gravel of the 2060 Road before hitting Rickity and No Candies trails. After No Candies, there is a little more 2060 Road running before the steepest part of the climb up Wagner Glade Trail to Wagner Glade Gap, and on to the first 7,000-foot peak — Wagner Butte (with its small and sporty summit).
After taking a few moments to admire the view from Wagner Butte and the sunset (or moonrise — depending on your pace), runners head back down to Wagner Glade Gap and turn right, dropping down into the Wagner Creek Watershed. From there, you take a mix of trail and rolling fire road up and down (and mostly up) around Bald Mountain, with views of the twinkling lights of the Rogue Valley far below.
At Anderson Butte, you will hit the very remote Jack Ash Trail and drop down into the Applegate River Watershed. At this point, the sun will be rising for many runners, and the course hits the Sterling Ditch Trail, offering some much-needed flat running. But don’t worry! Partway along the ditch, the course makes a quick and beautiful detour up (we don’t want too much flat) and down along the Wolf Gap Trail before connecting back to the ditch.
At the end of the ditch, runners will have a chance to pick up their pacer before beginning the second, and probably most grueling, 5,000-plus-foot climb of the race. The climb begins with gravel Forest Service roads to the Glade Creek Aid Station before things get spicy — a beautiful and very remote 3,000-plus-foot climb in a little over six miles along the rarely visited 7 Mile Ridge Trail. The trail climbs along the main northern ridge of Big Red Mountain before contouring the east face and hitting the Siskiyou Crest.
From here, you meet the final two-thirds of the SOB 50K and run a mix of the Pacific Crest Trail and Forest Service roads. However, the Brink 100 does send you on a quick and scenic detour from the 50K and 100k routes with an out-and-back to the top of your second 7,000-foot peak of the race — Dutchman Peak.
After Dutchman, runners follow the end of the 50K and 100K courses along some of the most spectacular stretches of the PCT and finish, as all our longer SOB courses do, with the final climb up the backside of Mt. Ashland (the 3rd and tallest of the 7,000-foot peaks on the course) and a short, steep, descent to the finish at Mt. Ashland Lodge.
Phew… At that point, runners will have climbed over 23,000 feet, tackled two 5,000-foot ascents, and reached three points above 7,000 feet.
The Brink 100 is a true mountain hundred.
100K Course Description
Explore the Pacific Crest Trail, The Siskiyou Mountains, and many of the trails that make Ashland a trail running mecca in one 100k run. Starting near the top of the Siskiyous at Mt Ashland Lodge you loop around the mountain to a steep descent into the Ashland Creek Watershed (yup! In the opposite direction from past years). There you will tour many of Ashlands most popular trails before a long climb back into the high country and the ridge that connects Wagner Butte to the Siskiyou Crest. From there you will take the primitive and beautiful Split Rock trail to the PCT and run the last 25 miles of the 50K course - the classic ‘out and back’ along the Siskiyou Crest with its spectacular views of Mt Shasta and the Cascades. The race ends with a final climb to the top of Mt Ashland, almost 360 degree views, and a steep descent to the finish line back at the Lodge.
50K Course Description
Our original race, one that has started many runners on their journey running ultra marathons. Combining buttery trail, beautiful ridgetop views of 3+ mountain ranges and the tallest peaks in the area, world class aid stations, and a local community vibe, there is a reason the 50k has anchored SOB for over 20 years. Just like our name says, this is an out-and-back along the Pacific Crest Trail with a tiny bit of gravel road running thrown in to help separate runners and prevent most of the two way traffic. For 2025 we are adding even ‘more of the Siskiyous’ with more views and a little more climbing by finishing the race with a run to the top of Mt Ashland and a quick descent into the finish area. If you have been considering trying an ultra, this is the one!
15K Course Description
From the start at Mt. Ashland Ski parking lot the runners will be on Forest Service road for approximately a mile until reaching the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Once on the PCT you'll stay on it, running 2 miles until the first aid station at Grouse Gap. From Grouse Gap the trail becomes a bit steep, but you're only two miles to the turn around at Willamette Meridian. While water will be available at the turn around, the road beckons-- stay on it until you're back at Grouse Gap. From the Grouse Gap aid station, jump on the PCT and return the 3 miles you came to the finish. We'll be waiting for you!
8K Course Description
From the start at Mt. Ashland Ski parking lot the runners will head out on Forest Service Road 20 for a bit over a mile reaching the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) at Grouse Gap. At Grouse Gap a water station awaits, directing you to the PCT, where you will be heading back to Mt Ashland. Follow the signs directing you back, up a slight hill to the parking lot, We'll be waiting for you at the finish line!
Event's current local time: 10:19 AM PT
