Iron Horse Half Marathon (WA)
North Bend, WA
- Half Marathon
- Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
The Iron Horse Half Marathon is a point to point half marathon taking place in Washington state on the Palouse to Cascade Trail (part of Washington State Parks) and Snoqualmie Valley Trail (part of the King County Parks system). Both trails are the remains of old railroad tracks, hence the … MORE
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Great race!
Another great Ocra Race... Be sure to arrive early because parking is slow going in a grassy field. Race was well organized, with beer tent, music, and tasty treats at … MORE
Another great Ocra Race… Be sure to arrive early because parking is slow going in a grassy field. Race was well organized, with beer tent, music, and tasty treats at the finish.
I made it
This is the third time I have ran this particular course. It is always fun for the first half as it goes downhill, and not too bad on the knees. … MORE
This is the third time I have ran this particular course. It is always fun for the first half as it goes downhill, and not too bad on the knees. It is when you hit the flats that your knees start to kill you. Prepare well and you will finish well.
It's a fun race course with sceneries!
Be prepared to be distracted by nature! It's a super fun and easy trail with waterfalls, bridges, and trees! It's downhill so your toes may hurt by the end of … MORE
Be prepared to be distracted by nature!
It’s a super fun and easy trail with waterfalls, bridges, and trees!
It’s downhill so your toes may hurt by the end of it and protect your knees.
Honestly, the surroundings and atmosphere made my experience very zen and therapeutic. The 13.1 miles flew by!
Don’t Worry About A Thing
I was one of the last people across the start line. They still had great support and the course was gorgeous. It’s a gentle downhill grade. Great if you’re concerned … MORE
I was one of the last people across the start line. They still had great support and the course was gorgeous. It’s a gentle downhill grade. Great if you’re concerned about knee issues and a slope that’s too steep. Will definitely sign up for 2025.
Love this race!
I have run this race several times now and it's always a great one! Super well organized, great aid stations, and fantastic finish line area with lots of snacks and … MORE
I have run this race several times now and it’s always a great one! Super well organized, great aid stations, and fantastic finish line area with lots of snacks and beverages. Highly recommend!!
Route: top, need better parking plan
Route is great, going mostly through forest and over a couple of old railroad trestles. Sufficient aid stations along the way. Organization of parking at finish line left much to … MORE
Route is great, going mostly through forest and over a couple of old railroad trestles. Sufficient aid stations along the way.
Organization of parking at finish line left much to be desired. Massive bottleneck due to moving cars into spots one at a time instead of forming two lines. Took over 30 minutes to get into the lot and line was twice as long when I passed it on the shuttle. No way to make it to the start line for your assigned wave if you get there the suggested 45 minutes early.
Beautiful race!
This is such a beautiful, serene race. It is well managed, great communication, one that I loved. I don’t care a ton about spectators but if you do, this one … MORE
This is such a beautiful, serene race. It is well managed, great communication, one that I loved. I don’t care a ton about spectators but if you do, this one may not be one for you. I personally liked the quiet on this one and being able to take in the views. The only thing I didn’t like was that I (personally) found the medals and t-shirt to be ugly.
Beautiful Mountain Scenery
This was my first half marathon and how spoiled I'll be because of it! What a gorgeous setting with well maintained trails. Rain the day prior made some areas a … MORE
This was my first half marathon and how spoiled I’ll be because of it! What a gorgeous setting with well maintained trails. Rain the day prior made some areas a bit muddy, but primarily this course is gravel packed so no major issues. Aid stations every 2.5 miles; portapotties at mile 5 and mile 10. A great race for first timers like me!
Beautiful scenery
Running a beautiful downhill trail in the Cascade mountains. Most is a slight downhill until the last 4 miles and then it's level with a finish through the town of … MORE
Running a beautiful downhill trail in the Cascade mountains. Most is a slight downhill until the last 4 miles and then it’s level with a finish through the town of North Bend. This is the only race I have done twice now and would easily do it again. Aid stations every 2-3 miles and porta-potties halfway through make this a relaxing run with gorgeous scenery. This race is extremely well organized with buses to the starting line and lots of parking in a huge field. There are runners and walkers from all over the NW and if you’ve never run a half marathon before but always wanted to, this is the race for you!
Very Scenic Run
This was a very scenic and peaceful run. I loved being in the forest and appreciated the shadiness too. I liked the flat packed gravel trail. I would do this … MORE
This was a very scenic and peaceful run. I loved being in the forest and appreciated the shadiness too. I liked the flat packed gravel trail. I would do this race again!
Great first half marathon experience!
This race was an amazing first half marathon experience for me, it was beautiful, good weather, and mostly downhill! Ten out of ten would do again! MORE
This race was an amazing first half marathon experience for me, it was beautiful, good weather, and mostly downhill! Ten out of ten would do again!
Beautiful and downhill course!
Even though I didn't train for this race very well, I still had a great time running this mostly downhill trail. It had some stunning views and I was so … MORE
Even though I didn’t train for this race very well, I still had a great time running this mostly downhill trail. It had some stunning views and I was so impressed with how well-coordinated the whole race was. There was one section nearing the end that was more difficult, as it was in the sun and the trail was rockier, but overall this was a fun race that I’m excited to run next year!
Quite a scenic run
Great starter race to test out a Half (was my first Half in a longer while). The trail mostly goes along a former railway corridor, with most of it in … MORE
Great starter race to test out a Half (was my first Half in a longer while).
The trail mostly goes along a former railway corridor, with most of it in forested sections until it goes into an “urban” section within North Bend itself.
Its a one way race and mostly downhill, though the elevation drop is so gentle as not being really that relevant. The participants are brought to the starting line, near a state park and there are a lot of participants apparently (>1000).
Worth doing again.
Beautiful and downhill but OH MY QUADS!
The race was great—very well organized, well spaced and stocked aid stations, and a great finish line. The finish line had food, hydration, massages, and REI, who made custom sunglasses … MORE
The race was great—very well organized, well spaced and stocked aid stations, and a great finish line. The finish line had food, hydration, massages, and REI, who made custom sunglasses for runners for FREE. The downhill accent is rough on the legs the next day so be prepared!
Beautiful downhill half!
Amazing scenery and first 9 miles all downhill. The last 4 get flat, hot, and dusty. Great shuttle system to the start and festival after! Loved the professional pictures and … MORE
Amazing scenery and first 9 miles all downhill. The last 4 get flat, hot, and dusty. Great shuttle system to the start and festival after! Loved the professional pictures and beer garden post race.
Scenic, flat & beautiful
Supportive volunteers, dope swag, and even cooler vendors! The views and shade made this a really smooth course. It gave all the PNW vibes. Crossing the finish line was by … MORE
Supportive volunteers, dope swag, and even cooler vendors! The views and shade made this a really smooth course. It gave all the PNW vibes.
Crossing the finish line was by far the best part of the event. Not because I managed to get to the end, but because of the overall vibe. Some finish lines feel lack luster. This finish line made you feel on top of the world.
10/10 would recommend
Flat/downhill course!
I ran this race for the first time, and every bit was perfect. 1. It is a flat/downhill course from start to finish, and in fact, the first half is … MORE
I ran this race for the first time, and every bit was perfect.
1. It is a flat/downhill course from start to finish, and in fact, the first half is noticeably downhill (but not too extreme). I definitely shaved some time in the beginning. If you want to set a PR, I highly recommend this race.
2. Very organized event: From the race email to the day-of, this event was very organized. Plenty of parking, frequent shuttles, aid stations, etc. It was very smooth.
3. Swags: I love that they mostly gave out food and nothing I’d have to throw away or donate. It was plenty yet minimal.
I’m definitely running this race again next year!
Gorgeous easy run
End of August running this course is an absolute dream. The last few miles are flat and indescript, but everything prior is easy sloped and simply stunning. MORE
End of August running this course is an absolute dream. The last few miles are flat and indescript, but everything prior is easy sloped and simply stunning.
Fun race for my first competitive half
The race is about 2/3rds downhill, not a steep grade, it’s pleasant most of the time. It’s a bit of a rocky trail, but no large rocks. The first sections … MORE
The race is about 2/3rds downhill, not a steep grade, it’s pleasant most of the time. It’s a bit of a rocky trail, but no large rocks. The first sections of the race through the woods are very pretty and it’s serene and relaxing. The starting waves are a bit disorderly so you might have to dodge and weave out of the gate if you’re a faster runner.
Overall this is a fun race and I recommend it, probably good for beginners too, like me.
Beautiful trail
Good for first timers. Well organized race out in the country away from the-hustle and bustle. Flat course starting off as a steady and gentle down hill gravel path. Beautiful … MORE
Good for first timers. Well organized race out in the country away from the-hustle and bustle. Flat course starting off as a steady and gentle down hill gravel path. Beautiful location winding through Cascade mountains, greenery, river, streams & bridges.