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A Trail Running Festival
in the Siskiyou Mountains
of Southern Oregon
JULY 12 & 13, 2025 | ASHLAND, OR
#SiskiyouOutBack
#SiskiyouOutBack
Join us on July 12 and 13, 2025 high above the Rogue Valley for the 26th 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!
Check out our races below!
5:00 AM
18 hr
Western States and UTMB Indexed
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.
7:00 AM
10 hours
UTMB Indexed
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!
9:00 AM
3 hours
N/A
Our fun 15k takes you out the PCT to Willamette Meridian. The turn around will take you on Road 20, back to Grouse Gap, where you return to the PCT and the finish line. You'll have one good climb early and a climb to the finish but by that time you can smell the barn, and by that we mean, food, beer and music!
9:30 AM
1-1/2 hours
N/A
Our introduction to trail running, the 8k takes you out Road 20 to Grouse Gap, then returning on the PCT. Flat to begin with, experiencing running on the PCT is not to be missed. Gentle rolling hills and a climb to the finish but by that time you can smell the barn, and by that we mean, food, beer and music!
* This event is permitted under the authority of both the Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest and Klamath National Forest.
There will be some changes to packet pick-up compared to the years past. More info coming soon.
No pacers are allowed, however family and friends are welcome to join the runner at the top of Mt. Ashland. No crew vehicles are allowed on Road 20 past the Lodge as the access road is also a small part of the course. Some folks elect to hike out to the nearest aid station, Willamette Meridian.
Camping at the Mt. Ashland Lodge parking lot (paved) both Friday and Saturday. New this year, there will be limitations on where you can park.
Ultra Distances: Men and Women, 29 and under, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and over.
15K and 8K adds a 12 and under and 12-15 and 16-19
All races start and finsish on Mt. Ashland by the Lodge.
Direction: Take the Interstate 5 Mount Ashland exit (exit #6), located 10 miles south of Ashland and 5 miles north of the California/Oregon border. Follow the signs to the ski area located about 8 miles from the Interstate. If driving from Ashland, please allow at least 40 minutes driving time to get there.
Most aid stations will be stocked with electrolyte drink, gels, water, potatoes, chips, cookies, pretzels, candy and other ultra goodies. All aid stations are full service.
Awaiting you at the finish line will be plenty of refreshments plus lunch and a beer. Please let us know your intent on eating with us at registration as it helps with our planning.
This year's t-shirt will be Nike! Shirts and purchased mugs must be picked up prior to the start of your race.
Runners under 18 years old desiring to run ultra distances require race director approval. Special pricing for 12 and under for the 8K. Free kids run on Sunday!
Poles can only be used on the 100K and 50K runs.
You can drop down to a shorter event race morning.
Our race photographers will be at the start, out on the course, and at the finish, so smile throughout your run! If you want to see pictures from prior years, click here.
The Siskiyou Out Back (SOB) is a non-profit organization and all profits benefit local non-profit organizations. In total, we have given over $200,000 to various non-profits in the last ten years. In 2022 we contributed to Ashland Trails Outdoor School, Family Nurturing Center, Siskiyou Mountain Club, Come Back Alive, a Ukrainian non-profit, and to our partner, Mt. Ashland Ski Area.
