Where Road Runners Can Go Off Course

The irrepressible Baz Hawley, Orange County’s leading (well, only) off-road running impresario, is back with a new event that debuts Sunday.

He’s billing it as Orange County’s first off-road marathon, and it departs Blue Jay Campground in the Cleveland National Forest, at about 3,000 feet, and climbs to the top of Santiago Peak (one of two peaks that make up Old Saddleback) at just under 6,000 feet. The route doubles back along the same trails and fire roads for the return.

Hawley is expecting a field of about 100 for this first-time event, including some of Southern California’s top off-road racers. It is, he concedes, a tough run.

“I’m guesstimating the winning time at about three hours,” he said. “If they come close to three hours, they’ll be doing really well.”

Still, it needn’t be as grueling as it sounds for those simply in search of some exercise and scenery. Hawley has set a time limit of six hours on the race, but he figures in that time one could walk most of the way up and run down.

In fact, many of the entrants so far are people who run on trails for recreation but have never tried a marathon.

“I’m getting a lot of these phone calls from people who’ve never done this sort of thing before and want to give it a go. I think that’s just magic.”

Of about 70 who have signed up, 15 are women, he said. Off-road running attracts many road runners who have hit a speed plateau and are looking for a new challenge, Hawley explained, adding that what they find besides that challenge is camaraderie.

Hawley also organizes the annual San Juan 50, a 50-mile trail run in the Cleveland National Forest, as well as some other long trail runs across the state. In recent years, he has sponsored a series of shorter off-road runs in Orange County to attract more runners to the sport.

Anyone who calls Hawley before noon Friday can sign up without paying a late fee. The entry charge of $25 will go up to $40 for anyone signing up after that. (Those who sign up Sunday must do so before 7:30 a.m.)

There will be five aid stations along the route, and Ham radio volunteers will track runners’ progress. For anyone wishing to spend the night before the race, camping is available at $7 a night at the Blue Jay Campground.

* What: Blue Jay Marathon.

* When: Sunday, Dec. 4, at 8 a.m. Race-day registration closes at 7:30 a.m.

* Where: Blue Jay Campground, Cleveland National Forest.

* Whereabouts: From the San Diego (5) Freeway, take Ortega Highway inland 22 miles to the town of El Cariso. Two miles past the candy shop, turn left (there will be a sign for the Los Pinos Outdoor School) and drive about five minutes to Blue Jay. Park in designated areas only.

* Wherewithal: $25 before Friday noon; $40 thereafter.

* Where to call: (714) 367-9070.