Per race website: the 2025 event was canceled due to rock slides and fallen trees on the marathon course. The 2026 event has been canceled as well and hopes to be back in 2027. *** The Crater Lake Rim Runs and Marathon are held in beautiful Crater Lake National Park, Oregon. …
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Per race website: the 2025 event was canceled due to rock slides and fallen trees on the marathon course. The 2026 event has been canceled as well and hopes to be back in 2027.
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The Crater Lake Rim Runs and Marathon are held in beautiful Crater Lake National Park, Oregon. Choose between runs of 6.7, 13.0 miles and The Marathon, or if you are a walker, the 6.7 mile walk. All courses are along the very rim of Majestic Crater Lake and are at altitudes ranging from 5,980 to 7,850 feet above sea level. Be challenged by rugged mountains and breathtaking views.
Course: The course is paved roads, except the last four miles of the Marathon which is dirt/pumice cinders. Traffic is limited or monitored. All three courses have long grades with altitude loss and gains nearing 1,000 feet at a time over distances nearing five miles.
The field is limited to a combined total of 500 on a first come – first served basis.
Weather Conditions: The weather is generally in the 50’s at the start of the race and low to mid 70’s around 1:00pm. Runners should come prepared for extremes – lows have been in the 30’s and highs in the mid 90’s.
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Breathtaking, but not just the scenery
There's a more thorough review of the course elsewhere on this page, but I would just remind everyone that this course is entirely at a high elevation. Because of that … MORE
There’s a more thorough review of the course elsewhere on this page, but I would just remind everyone that this course is entirely at a high elevation. Because of that and the fact that the course re-route took us up straight, with no flats at all, for the last 7 miles, this was my slowest half ever.
Also, while I get that this is a small event, the website and communication are, well, not great. The shuttles from the hotels were a little confusing, and the whole pre-race set up did not inspire a lot of confidence. Likewise, there’s confusion over whether this is a 13 mile race or a half marathon. My watch was a little short.
But oh, those views…
An Incredible and Unique Experience
This race was a one of a kind experience (in a good way). I am from Michigan and registered for this race because I thought it would be a great … MORE
This race was a one of a kind experience (in a good way). I am from Michigan and registered for this race because I thought it would be a great way to see Crater Lake National Park.
The race starts on East Rim drive with about a mile climb. I didn’t know at the time that this would be the shorter climb in the race. The next three miles were downhill, which allowed me to pick-up my pace and save minutes for later in the race, which proved to be important. The next few miles were rolling hills, not too bad. The last seven miles were something like I have never experienced. They were just a long, steady climb to the finish line at something called Cloud Cap overlook. Had I known this would be the case, I would have looked at the altimeter app on my iPhone to see what the starting altitude was. According to app, the finish line was at 7,800. My guess is the last seven miles involved at least 1,500ft in gain. Once I hit the top of Cloud Cap, I had to swing by the finish line and do a one mile out-and-back loop to make 13 miles. Having to blow by the finish line on the first pass didn’t bother me because I was just so happy to finally be at the top of Cloud Clap. The downhill on the last out-and-back was the only downhill part of these seven miles.
I usually run a sub-1:40 half marathon and felt fortunate to finish this one at 2:21:03. Training for long-steady climbs at altitude is obviously impossible to do in Michigan. I ran the first six or so miles and ran-walked the last seven. My objective was to keep enough gas in the tank to finish strong and to avoid cramping and dehydration in the altitude. I have a lot of experience trail running on single track trails in Michigan, which was invaluable in coming up with a strategy to survive this race, as you can’t just grip-it and rip-it like you can on a paved course at sea level. I might have been able to run a little more than I did in these last seven miles, but it probably only cost me a few minutes on my finishing time. I am just happy to have survived and finished.
I read some complaints online about the race’s organization. I found the race to be incredibly well organized. The buses showed up on time to pick me up from Rim Village and I was quickly transported back after the finish (after getting some pics from Cloud Cap). The race organizers mail your bibs before the race. I received mine but several runners did not. The race had a table at the start line to issue people their missing bibs, which was efficiently done. There were ample aid stations and the volunteers were extremely friendly and enthusiastic. I would recommend wearing a hydration pack, though, especially if you don’t live at altitude. I got a nice finishing medal with a picture of Crater Lake on it when I crossed the finish line as well as a soft, cotton t-shirt, which is my favorite kind.
I recommend running this race. The course and the scenery are like nothing I have ever experience before. Just temper your expectations on your finishing time and take it easy so you can cross the finish line in one piece. I also recommend staying at the Crater Lake Lodge right in the park. Crater Lake is a magical place.
Great Scenery But Not Much of a Race
This is more of a walk than a race as the altitude and course make it very difficult to run. There was supposed to be water starting at 2 miles … MORE
This is more of a walk than a race as the altitude and course make it very difficult to run. There was supposed to be water starting at 2 miles and then every two miles after – they need to check this as the first water stop was almost 3 miles in. The only clocks on the course are at the 3 finishes – mile markers on some of the cones – no chip timing. The majority of the runners are in the 6.7 and 13 mile which means they don’t cater to the marathon. There is no expo or really any check-in so you don’t really get much info about anything race related. It all works out in the end but I would not recommend this race but I do recommend everyone go to Crater Lake. Be sure to go down to the lake via mile hike at the marina and jump into the water from the jumping rock – that was the highlight of the trip!
The Beauty and the Beast -- CM
The views are breathtaking. The lake cannot adequately be put into words. Go see it! Do the marathon. Train for extended uphills and downhills. The race finishes on with a … MORE
The views are breathtaking. The lake cannot adequately be put into words. Go see it! Do the marathon. Train for extended uphills and downhills. The race finishes on with a two mile uphill!
My favorite race!!!
Great race with nice people from all over. The start is chilly as you wait, after being dropped off by the bus. Staying in the park makes it easier, and … MORE
Great race with nice people from all over. The start is chilly as you wait, after being dropped off by the bus. Staying in the park makes it easier, and more fun, but you can just drive in in the morning.
Don't expect a PR, but do RUN IT!
Looking for an Oregon Marathon to add to my 50 States quest and found a gem. This is not a huge marathon, but you will find a great running community … MORE
Looking for an Oregon Marathon to add to my 50 States quest and found a gem. This is not a huge marathon, but you will find a great running community and an amazingly beautiful and difficult course. Probably one of my most rewarding races to date.
Definitely a MUST!
Overall - this race is just a race. The PLACE is what makes this race spectacular! If you treat this race as an in and out weekend and don't spend … MORE
Overall – this race is just a race. The PLACE is what makes this race spectacular! If you treat this race as an in and out weekend and don’t spend time here, you are severely missing out!
The TRIP: I flew into Portland on Thursday and drove down (4.5 hours). I stayed at the Union Creek Resort, a quaint little campground/cabin area near one of the park entrances. I was traveling alone, so I stayed in the lodge in one of the cheaper small rooms. (Shared Bathroom) Luckily I had the room at the end with a window overlooking the creek. I slept with the window open and could hear the creek down below. Very relaxing. Although this place was about 40 minutes from the park, it was well worth it. (Other places in the park are too expensive or booked up). When I checked out on race day and they allowed me to shower there before heading home. Very nice folks!
On Friday, I spent about 10 hours in the park. Be prepared! There’s a lot to see! Before the trip, I took a map and marked all the hikes/sights/and areas I wanted to see. I worked my way around the lake, stopping at each spot and even a few extras. They were all wonderful, but my top picks are Garfield Peak and Plaikni Falls!
This year there were a few wildfires nearby that caused a smoky haze to cover the area. In the morning I could barely see the other side of the crater. But by mid afternoon, the smoke cleared up enough to pair perfectly with the timing of my hike up to Garfield Peak! The water was amazingly blue and the colors of the trees with the blue sky made the perfect ending to a perfect day!
The RACE: The race started at Watchman Point and ended at a campground near the Pinnacles. The park closed one lane of Rim Drive and made the road one way only during the race. They encouraged runners to use the shuttle buses. I parked at Rim Village and took the bus to the start. There was some confusion about where to go beforehand. (FYI- the race has no Packet Pickup. They mail bibs and an information sheet to you). The info sheet said “board your assigned bus” but there were no indications of bus assignments. Basically you park in one of two areas and catch the bus there. There’s one start line for all races. If you get on the first busses you can watch the sunrise at watchman’s point! The race itself was hilly and beautiful. You run about halfway around Rim Drive with an out and back at Cloudcap and then a 2 mile out and back near the finish. The race is almost always at 8000 feet elevation. Luckily that morning the smoke layer was below us. We had some nice views all around the lake that morning! The course is 100% road except for maybe 100 feet into the campground to the finish line. Aid stations are plentiful, however porta-potties were only located at the 10K, half finish and full finish lines. Nature stops might be necessary.
The FINISH: The finish is very rudimentary. A clock, a finish banner and a few tents. But VERY friendly and happy volunteers! Results are done by hand and your bib tab is posted on a board. The medal is plain and age group awards are blue/red/yellow ribbons.
BOTTOM LINE: You don’t come to this race for the bling. You come for the views and to visit the park. And it’s totally worth it!
RaceRaves included this race on their ”Toughest Road Marathons in North America” last year: https://raceraves.com/toughest-road-marathons-us-canada/
After 63 marathons, I can testify that making this list was well deserved. This is the only race I’ve run that’s listed on this countdown. However, I honestly think that the Mad Marathon in Vermont would be a VERY close 2nd to Crater Lake on my list of Toughest Road Marathons.