The Canby Dahlia Run Half Marathon will be the highlight of your season. The race kicks off and travels on paved roads with miles 1 through 3 venturing past a golf course, wooded forests and a gorgeous view of the Willamette river. Miles 4 and 5 will take you through some quaint neighborhoods in this quaint little town with the gem awaiting you at mile 6. At about the 5 1/2 mile mark, you will quickly understand why this race is called the Canby Dahlia Run. It is at this point that you run through 40 acres of the largest dahlia fields in the country at Canby’s famous Swan Island Dahlia farm, surrounding in the colorful splendor of these stunning flowers. As you run along the paved driveway you will turn left onto a grass path that will take you right down the middle of the dahlias! Yes, we will be taking pictures of you here!
The race continues (miles 6-8) to wind around through town on flat surface streets until hanging a right onto the Old Logging Road. It is on this stretch (miles 8-10) where there are no cars, so feel free to let your mind wander and enjoy the experience. There is a slight incline at about mile 8 1/2 where the course goes up and back down over Highway 99E. From this point to the end of the race, you’ll be taking a trip through Canby’s rich agricultural farmlands and natural beauty. There is a sense of getting back to nature as you run past wheat fields, farm houses and plentiful hazelnut groves while appreciating those who grow and harvest food for us all.
Mile 10.75 there is a steep hill that lasts about 1/8 mile which besides the 8 1/2 mile mark, is the only hill to speak of. Water stations will be available sponsored and staffed by local businesses at miles 1, 3, 4.75, 7, 8, 9.5, 11, and 12.
As you approach the finish line you will be greeted by a welcoming friend…….a 1/4 mile downhill stretch to the finish. There’s no better way to end 13.1 miles but with a downhill finish. Whew!
Once you cross the finish line, you will be adorned with a medal as well as a beautiful cut Swan Island Dahlia to remember your journey.
Run/Walk
The race starts off with a bang as you quickly approach the Old Logging Road at mile 1. This is a nice stretch (miles 1-3) without cars for you to compete with, although you may see some competition from rabbits as you run through some beautiful natural areas. There is a moderate hill at mile 1.5 that goes up and over Highway 99E, but the good news is that you get to go right back down on the other side.
From this point to the end of the race, you’ll be taking a trip through Canby’s rich agricultural farmlands and natural beauty. There is a sense of getting back to nature as you run past wheat fields, farm houses and plentiful hazelnut groves while appreciating those who grow and harvest food for us all.
Mile 3.75 there is a steep hill that lasts about 1/8 mile which besides the 1 1/2 mile mark, is the only hill to speak of. Water stations will be available sponsored and staffed by local businesses at miles 1, 2.5, 4, and 5.
As you approach the finish line you will be greeted by a welcoming friend…a 1/4 mile downhill stretch to the finish. What better way to end 6.2 miles but with a downhill finish. Nice!
You will be adorned with a medal as well as a beautiful Swan Island Dahlia to remember your journey.
THE 10K COURSE DOES NOT GO THROUGH THE DAHLIA FIELDS (TO SEE THE DAHLIA FIELDS, YOU’LL HAVE TO BUMP UP TO THE HALF MARATHON, OR DRIVE TO THE DAHLIA FIELDS AFTER YOUR 10K RACE).
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Pandemic half. Gorgeous flowers
The race proceeds go to charity so I hesitate to be too harsh. Plus, it was during a pandemic so that brings struggles too. The course was overall pretty great. … MORE
The race proceeds go to charity so I hesitate to be too harsh. Plus, it was during a pandemic so that brings struggles too.
The course was overall pretty great. The first couple miles aren’t anything great, but then the Dahlia fields are pretty incredible. After you leave the Dahlia fields you run on a nice trail and through some nice Oregon country area. It is relatively flat.
The biggest complaint about the race was that I spent a great amount of time not knowing whether or not I was on the course! There was no volunteers on the course, which makes no sense! How does it create a COVID risk to have someone stand on a corner and tell runners which way to turn? It was made worse that the race is relatively small so I often didn’t have runners within 100s of yards in front or behind me. I wasted a lot of mental energy concerned I had missed a turn somewhere.
I wasn’t alone in my frustration. The race sent an email the day after apologizing for the confusion and lack of direction on the course. I would imagine that would mean in future years it will be taken care of.