The Paiute Meadows Trail Run is a premier regional athletic event held in Susanville, California. Scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026, this 30th annual competition is hosted by the Lassen Land and Trails Trust. The race serves as a showcase for the Susanville Ranch Park trail system, featuring a course comprised almost exclusively of single-track trails that traverse towering pines and open meadows. As a Trail Sisters-approved event, it emphasizes inclusivity and environmental stewardship, while proceeds support local land conservation and trail maintenance.
Race Categories and ScheduleThe event offers a comprehensive range of distances, from a short community run to an ultra-marathon. All races start and finish at Susanville Ranch Park.
| Distance | Start Time | Course Format |
|---|---|---|
| 50K / 50K Relay | 6:30 AM | Two-loop format; Relay Leg 1 (18.6 miles), Leg 2 (13.1 miles). |
| 30K | 6:30 AM | Single loop through meadows and pine forests. |
| Half Marathon | 7:30 AM | 13.7-mile course featuring water crossings. |
| 4.5 Miler | 8:30 AM | The traditional "cornerstone" loop of the event. |
The geography of Susanville is characterized by the transition between the Sierra Nevada mountains and the high desert of the Great Basin. Susanville Ranch Park provides a varied landscape of rocky technical climbs, rapid descents, and scenic vistas. In early May, the region typically experiences mild to warm daytime temperatures averaging 19°C, with cool, crisp mornings around 4°C. The trails often feature seasonal water crossings due to spring runoff. This is a strictly cupless race, requiring participants to carry their own hydration vessels. Aid stations are strategically placed and stocked with specialized electrolytes, gels, and fresh fruit.
Logistics and SupportRace packet and bib pickup is held on Friday, May 8, at the Susanville Historic Train Depot from 10 AM to 6 PM. Late registration is available only during this Friday window; there is no registration permitted on race day. For out-of-town participants, packet pickup is available at the race site on Saturday morning starting at 6 AM. The event also includes a free 1-mile trail race for children and Special Olympians. As a primary fundraiser for the Lassen Land and Trails Trust, the event helps manage regional trail systems including the Bizz Johnson and Modoc Line Rail Trails.
May 09, 2026
Distance — 30K
Type — Running
06:30
$80.00
May 09, 2026
Distance — 50K
Type — Running
06:30
$95.00
May 09, 2026
Distance — 50K
Type — Running
06:30
$115.00
May 09, 2026
Distance — 21.1K
Type — Running
07:30
$70.00
May 09, 2026
Distance — 7.2K
Type — Running
08:30
$50.00
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Susanville.
Learn more about the host city, Susanville.
Susanville is in Lassen County in the Shasta Cascades region of California.
Read more launchWatch highlights and course previews from previous years.
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calendar_today Apr 25, 2026
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