Siskiyou Out Back Running Festival

The Siskiyou Out Back Running Festival returns to Ashland, Oregon for its 27th year on July 11-12, 2026, offering runners a unique opportunity to explore the stunning trails of the Pacific Northwest. Set against the backdrop of the Siskiyou Mountains and towering views of Mt Shasta and the Cascades, this festival celebrates trail running with an array of distances that cater to all levels of experience. The event not only highlights Ashland’s reputation as a premier destination for trail runners but also showcases its vibrant community spirit through camping, food, music, and camaraderie.
As dawn breaks over the Rogue Valley on race day, participants will find themselves in the heart of nature, with trails winding through lush forests and along rugged mountain paths. The air is crisp, carrying hints of pine needles and wildflowers. Each step taken during the Siskiyou Out Back Running Festival feels like a journey into another realm, where the landscape shifts from dense greenery to open vistas at every turn. Whether it’s the early morning mist clinging to tree branches or the golden hues of sunset casting long shadows across the trails, each moment is imbued with a sense of discovery and adventure.
The Siskiyou Out Back Running Festival has become an integral part of Ashland's cultural calendar since its inception in 1990. Over the years, it has grown to attract runners from all corners of the globe who come together for this shared love of trail running. The festival supports a local charity and fosters a strong sense of community among participants, volunteers, and locals alike. With over two decades of history, each year sees new faces joining alongside returning champions in what truly feels like a celebration of both sport and place.
From town to summit, the Brink 100 course offers an exhilarating journey through diverse terrain that includes rugged mountain paths and stretches along iconic trails such as Wagner Glade Trail. The route begins on Ashland’s downtown streets before heading into the Ashland Creek Watershed for its first major climb up Rickity Trail followed by No Candies, a challenging section leading to Wagner Butte at 7,000 feet elevation. Runners will traverse rolling fire roads and remote paths like Jack Ash Trail in the Applegate River watershed, each segment adding layers of scenic beauty and physical challenge.
The race starts from Mt Ashland Ski Road where runners begin their ascent on rough gravel before transitioning onto trails that wind through dense forested areas with steep climbs to Wagner Butte. As they descend towards Anderson Butte via Jack Ash Trail, the terrain changes to rolling fire roads offering panoramic views of the Rogue Valley below. The course continues along Sterling Ditch Trail and other remote paths leading up challenging ascents.
Runners should expect warm daytime temperatures around 24°C with cooler mornings dipping into the mid-teens, making for comfortable running conditions despite occasional winds reaching 5-6 km/h. Trails will be dry underfoot with UV levels very high, so sunscreen is essential along with sufficient hydration and lightweight clothing to manage heat.