Saltwater 5000

Saltwater Facts - Total Distance: 32 miles - Cumulative Elevation Gain: approx. 6,500' - # of climate zones along route: 5 - Age of oldest runner: 65 - Age of youngest runner: 41 - # of people who've finished: 8

Saltwater 5000 is an endurance run that starts at the Pacific Ocean and finishes at the top of Saddleback Mountain (Santiago Peak, 5,687). The sanctioned route, scouted and rescouted by the two founders, begins seaside at the mouth of El Moro Canyon at Crystal Cove. Runners must touch the Pacific Ocean and drip seawater on a sponge to officially start. From there we run through El Moro Canyon, over many trails in the Laguna Wilderness area, a few miles up Bake parkway (the only pavement of the entire run), onto Sorrano Creek trail, through Whiting Ranch to Santiago trail. By the end of Santiago trail at Old Camp we've run approx. 28 miles, which is just the "warm up" for Joplin Trail, an 1,800' ascent up a 1.5 mile single track of loose rocks, boulders and shrub. This part really sucks, but in a way the Joplin climb is the "right of passage" for this journey. At the top of Joplin Trail, we proceed along the main divide to the top of Santiago Peak, OC's most majestic landmark.

Saltwater 5000 is a run, not a race. But its more than just a run. There is something cool about being able to touch the ocean, run and climb 32 miles to the top of Santiago peak, then look down and see how far you've come. Also, at 5,687 feet, you can see the finish line at every turn! "There it is baby!" Once bagged, the peak offers an incredible vista for the yearning soul. On a clear day the finish line offers a 360 degree panorama of the mighty Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island, San Clemente Island, the Palos Verde Peninsula and So Cal's most prominent mountains including San Jacinto, San Gorgonio, Baldy, Palomar and everything in between.