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Cerro Gordo Silver Run logo

Cerro Gordo Silver Run

Sat, May 23, 2026, 8:00 AM PDT

Location
Keeler, CA
Cerro Gordo Mines, 93530
Featured distance
8 Miles
Type
RUN

Sign up and verify details on the organizer’s official page.

At a glance

Conquer an 8-mile uphill climb to a historic ghost town, then celebrate your triumph with a mountaintop BBQ and live music.

  • Fun
  • Competitive
  • Quirky
  • Festive

Great for: casual, fun-first runners, runners who like a competitive edge

Less ideal for: walkers-only pacing

Prepare for a legendary challenge in the Eastern Sierra with the Cerro Gordo Silver Run. This 8-mile uphill battle climbs 4,600 vertical feet to the historic ghost town of Cerro Gordo, once California's richest silver mine. It's a test of grit and a journey through history, tracing a road carved for mule trains in 1865. Cross the finish line in this unique setting and celebrate your triumph with a mountaintop BBQ, live music, and exploration of the abandoned town. All are welcome to dig deep and climb, from teenagers to…

What to expect

  • An intense 8-mile uphill race, climbing 4,600 vertical feet to a historic ghost town.
  • Aid stations every mile, offering fuel and encouragement along the challenging course.
  • Celebrate your finish with a mountaintop BBQ, live music, games, and town exploration.

Standout details

  • 8-mile uphill climb, 4,600 vertical feet
  • Finish in historic Cerro Gordo ghost town
  • Mountaintop BBQ and live music
  • Winner's name engraved in silver

Perks & features

  • After-Party

From the public listing — confirm on the official site.

Auto-drafted from the public listing — confirm details on the official event page before signing up.

Vibe Check

Push Potential

warm-day exposure

  • Warm season

Based on terrain, weather, and distance data.

The course

  • Hilly
  • Timed race
From the organizer

Saturday. May 23, 2026 | Start Time: 8:00 AM | Check-in by 6:30 AM (Camping & lodging info at the bottom of this description)

Check out the video recap from this past year for more context!

Are you tough enough to race up a mountain road built for mule trains and silver barons?

Join us for a legendary race in the Eastern Sierra - an 8-mile uphill battle climbing 4,600 vertical feet to the historic ghost town of Cerro Gordo, once the richest silver mine in California.

This is not your average run. This is a gut-check. A pilgrimage. A challenge against time, gravity, and yourself.

The infamous Cerro Gordo Road was carved out in 1865 to shuttle silver down from the mountains. Now, once a year, runners race back up - chasing glory, chasing ghosts, and chasing history.

When you summit the town, the day’s just beginning. Cross the finish line and celebrate with: – A giant mountaintop BBQ – Live music and games – Self-guided exploration of the abandoned town – And a well-earned sense of triumph.

What’s included: - Aid stations every mile stocked with fuel and encouragement - A limited-edition Silver Run 2026 shirt and finishers medal - Shuttle vans for the ride back down - Eternal bragging rights: the winner’s name is engraved in silver and enshrined in Cerro Gordo’s history

Last year’s winning time: 1:14:04 by Jacob Banta Think you’ve got what it takes to beat it?

There’s no time limit. Whether you finish in 1 hour or 5, this mountain has room for all. We’ve had teenagers run with their parents. We’ve had an 81-year-old cross the finish line. All are welcome - as long as you're willing to dig deep and climb.

Check out the 2025 race results: https://my.raceresult.com/341872/results

Don’t miss the most epic footrace in California. This is all happening: Saturday. May 23, 2026 Come run for the silver.

Camping & Lodging

Our neighbor is providing camping spots available in Keeler, CA, less than 1/4 mile from the starting line, available for $20/spot. These will have restrooms available at the campground area. This is by far the cheapest and closest accommodation option.

Otherwise, Lone Pine, CA is 15 miles from the starting line and has a wide variety of hotels, motels, RV parks, and more.

Another option is BLM Land camping. There is a lot of BLM land around and you can camp there for free for up to 14 days. Google "BLM camping" for more information.

There will be multiple parking lots available in Keeler, CA the day of the race to leave your cars. There will be volunteers on site to direct you to these day of the race. After the race, you will be brought down by shuttle bus, back to these parking lots.

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