"There are a lot of reasons, I guess," Abrams said. "It's a long challenging trail run, it's scenic - Mount Madonna is absolutely beautiful - and funds go to a good cause."

The 12-kilometer challenge drew more than 110 participants last year and is expected to bring in more Saturday, when the event makes its 33rd annual running at the Sprig Lake picnic area of Mount Madonna County Park.

The challenge starts at 9 a.m. - a half hour after the start of the six-kilometer Salamander Run & Walk, also at Sprig Lake. Both races are being presented by the South Valley Running Club.

Registration can be done online at www.active.com or before the race, starting at 7:30 a.m. It costs $30, with proceeds going toward the club's annual scholarships for Morgan Hill and Gilroy prep runners.

"We start planning this thing in April and we really look forward to it," said Abrams, who's this year's race director. "I've actually only done the longer race once, and it was just an awesome run with beautiful scenery and vistas. I wish I could run it every year."

With an elevation gain of 1,100 feet, the challenge is done on a 7.2-mile loop course, winding through troves of oak, sycamore, manzanita and redwood trees. It's South County's only trail run, Abrams said.

"It doesn't have much competition," he joked. "That might be because it's so challenging. Runners love challenges."

Awards will be given to the top finishers of each age group, as broken down into 10-year increments.

Like the challenge, the salamander race is no picnic. The first half of the course is all uphill, rising as high as 700 feet. The rest is downhill - but not as easy as it sounds.

"It still burns up your legs," said South Valley Running Club member Joe Green, who directed the event last year. "It's way too steep to call 'nice.' It's still fun to do, though."