Lace up your running shoes and prepare for an unforgettable trail adventure! The highly anticipated Bizz Johnson’s Southside Scramble is set to take place on tomorrow, June 21st, offering runners three distinct distances – 22K, 14K, and 7K – through the stunning lower Susan River Canyon.
This innovative trail race promises an “AWESOME loop course,” showcasing the very best of the area’s natural beauty. Participants will begin their journey heading up the historic Bizz Johnson Trail from the Hobo Camp Day Use Area, before making their return via the picturesque and “flowy singletrack” of the Southside Trail, located just across the river.
Adding an exciting twist, the course is reversed in odd-numbered years, offering a fresh challenge even to returning runners. All races will both start and finish at the Hobo Camp Day Use Area.
Choose Your Challenge:
The Dirty Devil’s 22K (Starts 7:30 AM): This longest distance kicks off on the Fire Road above Hobo Camp, merging onto the Bizz Johnson Trail and continuing to Devil’s Corral. From there, runners will cross a seasonal footbridge to enter the “stunningly beautiful” Southside Trail, navigating its rockslides, vista points, and singletrack all the way back to the finish. Runners have a 5.5-hour time limit, with a 2-hour cutoff to Devil’s Corral.
The Tunnel’s Blast 14K (Starts 7:45 AM): Starting similarly on the Fire Road and Bizz Johnson Trail, this course veers off just before the first railroad tunnel. Runners will climb over the top of the tunnel on singletrack to reach the Southside Trail, enjoying its scenic route back to Hobo Camp. The time limit for the 14K is 4 hours.
The Hobo’s Special 7K (Starts 8:00 AM): This shorter, fast-paced option begins on the Fire Road and Bizz Johnson Trail, heading up to the Twin Bridges Access connector to the Southside Trail. It promises “just enough of the Bizz Johnson’s steady climb to excite your senses for the fast, flowy South Side’s single-track return.” The 7K has a time limit of 2.5 hours.
Race Logistics and Amenities:
Packet Pickup: Runners can collect their packets and register late today, June 20th, from 3:00 to 6:00p.m. at the Susanville Historic Train Depot, 601 Richmond Road. Race day morning packet pickup will also be available at the Hobo Camp Day Use Area (Finish Line Area) starting at 6:00a.m.
Aid Stations: To keep runners fueled, aid stations will be stocked with fruit, salty snacks, Heed electrolyte drink, and water. Please note, this is a cupless race, partnering with Hydrapak. Aid Station #1 is at Mile 3.8 (lower tunnel, for 22K & 14K), Aid Station #2 is at Mile 5.94 (Devil’s Corral, for 22K only), and Aid Station #3 is about 2 miles from the finish (Twin Bridges access, for all three distances).
Post-Race Celebration: Once runners cross the finish line, they can look forward to a well-deserved celebration! Enjoy a cold beverage, various snacks, BBQ hotdogs for finishers, and even a refreshing dip in the Susan River. Families and friends are encouraged to bring chairs, set up canopies, and utilize the day-use BBQ grills for extended fun.
Awards: All finishers will receive a custom towel and a commemorative finisher’s medal. Custom awards will be presented to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place overall Male, Female, and Non-Binary finishers in all races, as well as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place age group finishers (in 10-year age groups) who will receive a custom award coaster.
For online registration information click here. For more information about the race itself, click here and head over the Bizz Running Company.
