Imagine running a beautiful, tree-lined course along the 21-mile Banks-Vernonia State Trail. The ORRC Vernonia Marathon and Half Marathon events both feature a gentle 7-mile, 400-foot downhill into Banks. Pancake breakfast awaits all attendees. This Boston Marathon qualifier is run on a point-to-point course, with 23 miles closed to vehicular …
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Imagine running a beautiful, tree-lined course along the 21-mile Banks-Vernonia State Trail. The ORRC Vernonia Marathon and Half Marathon events both feature a gentle 7-mile, 400-foot downhill into Banks. Pancake breakfast awaits all attendees. This Boston Marathon qualifier is run on a point-to-point course, with 23 miles closed to vehicular traffic.
The marathon starts at Cedar Ridge Retreat Center in Vernonia, goes around the lake, and proceeds onto the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, and finishes at Banks High School on the track. Most of the course runs along the paved trail, through scenic woods on an abandoned railroad bed. The course is mostly flat, with a gradual uphill from Miles 9 to 13 and downhill from Mile 14 to 21, where it is flat to the finish. The trail crosses several roads, but is otherwise closed to traffic; traffic control will be provided. Aid stations and potties at Miles 2, 4, 7, 10, 12, 13, 15.5, 19, 21.5, 23 and 25. There will be water, Gatorade, Gu, plus sweet and salty snacks at each aid station. If marathoners are unable to reach the aid station at Crossman Road (Mile 23) by 2:30 p.m. they will be pulled from the course.
The half marathon starts inside Stub Stewart State Park at Hilltop and joins the Banks-Vernonia State Trail at Mile 2, and finishes at Banks High School on the track. Most of the course runs along the paved trail, through scenic woods on an abandoned railroad bed. The course is uphill for the first mile, downhill until mile 7 and flat to the finish. The trail crosses several roads, but is otherwise closed to traffic; traffic control will be provided. Aid stations and potties at Miles 2, 5.5, 8 ,10.5 and 12. There will be water, Gatorade, Gu, and sweet and salty snacks at each aid station.
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Beauty in the pines, and downhill!!
Came from Florida to add Oregon to my 50 state list, and I’m so thankful that we chose this race! Despite the small size, it was a first-rate production. Excellent … MORE
Came from Florida to add Oregon to my 50 state list, and I’m so thankful that we chose this race! Despite the small size, it was a first-rate production. Excellent communication from start to finish, Mark the race director seems to have this down to a science and I so enjoyed the race! It is almost entirely on the Vernonia – Banks Trail, which winds through beautiful pines. I can’t say enough how peaceful and beautiful the race was, and did I mention downhill?! We finished with a lap in the stadium at the high school, followed by snacks there and hot food inside the school. Each and every volunteer just loved being there and I was so thankful for their support! If you can get yourself to Portland, you should run this one!
One of my favorite races!
I participated in this race to knock out Oregon on my quest for 50 half's in 50 states. I've not been so pleasantly surprised by a race as I was … MORE
I participated in this race to knock out Oregon on my quest for 50 half’s in 50 states. I’ve not been so pleasantly surprised by a race as I was with this one. I expected just another small town race with “nothing to write home about”. I was so wrong! From the first communication with the race director, Mark, to the post race food, I would rate this as one of my top 5 favorite races. Yes, it was on the smaller scale, yes, it was in a small town. That didn’t stop it from exceeding all expectations. The cost was low, but I bought the custom race shirt. Still, for the money, this race rocks! The hooded lightweight shirt was fantastic – wore it home on the plane! The communication from the race director was concise and accurate. When he says the last bus leaves at 7:00am, it leaves at 7:00am. When the description of the race says “the first mile is uphill”, the first mile is uphill! But the next 6 were down and oh so beautiful. You are running through a paved rain forest! The scenery and foliage were gorgeous. The post race food was abundant and delicious! The volunteers were incredible – friendly, helpful & encouraging! Overall, this was a well produced half marathon with great scenery, volunteers and a great race director! If I lived closer, I’d do this race every year!
Very Pretty! Underrated!
My performance for this race was less than stellar because I had surgery 2 months prior, so I couldn't properly train. However, I loved the course! My only complaint is … MORE
My performance for this race was less than stellar because I had surgery 2 months prior, so I couldn’t properly train. However, I loved the course!
My only complaint is that there is a lake that we were supposed to run around, and volunteers sent us in the wrong direction. We were supposed to turn right, but the volunteers had us turn left (aka their right). I wish there were signs at that area to prevent that confusion.
The course was beautiful since it was along the Vernonia trail! the first half was flat/rolling hills. From miles 14-20, it was downhill and under the trees, so I felt fast and was able to cool off a bit. Miles 20 towards the end was flat, but it got hot since the sun was out.
We had coffee and hot water before the race start, which was great! The aid stations were amazing since they had foods like pickles, bananas, oranges, chips, etc! And we had amazing soups (chicken noodle and broccoli and cheddar) afterwards!
I would definitely run this race again!