Come join the annual Run the River Marathon, starting at Columbia Park in Kennewick, WA. This road race features a scenic course that travels through the towns of Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco all while staying next to the mighty Columbia River.
This classic road marathon follows paved paths and roadways the entire time and offers participants with great views of beautifully landscaped parks, the meandering Columbia River, as well as the rugged surrounding mountains. The flat course and cool spring weather will provide runners with a prime opportunity for a fast finish time if that is their goal. Likewise, the course lends itself well to runners of all abilities as well as walkers… which tend to have the best time out there!
For those that aren’t wanting the full marathon distance, there are a few other options. You can gather up some friends and do the 4-person relay option, which covers the entire marathon course, or you can do the half marathon or 5k options instead.
There will be a kids marathon where you run 25 miles on your own before race day and then 1.2 miles on race day to finish the full marathon distance. More details will be provided in the future about this exciting event.
Spring in the Tri-Cities can bring a mix of sun, rain, and wind – it just depends on the year. Please watch the forecasts as it gets closer to race day to make sure you are prepared. Since the course makes a large loop, any wind encountered should only be for a limited time. Over the last twenty years, the temperature at start time has varied between 43°F and 62°F, with an average of 51°F.
Course
The Marathon Course is certified by the USATF, which means it can be used as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. In addition, the half marathon course is certified as is the 5k course. This flat and fast course is on the roads and paved paths along the Columbia River in all three cities, with the start/finish line at the Lampson Pits in Columbia Park.
Participants will start heading west along Columbia Park Trail in Kennewick and will then turn north on the Sacajawea Heritage Trail to head into Richland. After going under the I-182 Bridge, the course continues north on the Riverfront Trail path until a turnaround point in Howard Amon park. After completing the out & back section, participants will cross the bridge into Pasco and head east on Court Street until turning onto the Sacajawea Heritage Trail and entering Chiawana Park. The course will continue east, passing the Blue Bridge, and will then turn left onto 9th Avenue, where participants will loop around and cross the river on the east side of the Cable Bridge. Once reaching the Kennewick side of the river, the course will head west on the the Sacajawea Heritage Trail until participants turn onto Clover Island for a short out and back. After turning back onto the Sacajawea Heritage Trail westbound, participants will head back into Columbia Park, and wind back around to finish where the race started.
The course elevation varies between 350 and 400 feet above sea level with the total elevation gain being under 410 feet. Most, if not all, of the elevation gain is encountered when going over the river on the bridges so be prepared for these short climbs.
The course will not be closed so please be considerate to other trail users. Announce when you will be passing someone, stay to the right when you are not passing, and make sure to say hi to folks you see – especially the volunteers! Cyclists will be leading the front runners throughout the race and we will have a group of folks sweeping the course after the last person.
The relay option will start and finish at the same location, and follow the same course, as the individual marathon. There will be four unequal legs where the lengths are 8.1, 7.6, 4.0, and 6.5 miles.
The half marathon and 5k courses will both start and finish at the same location as the marathon but will be out and back routes with the turnaround located at the halfway point. The 1.2 mile course for the kids marathon is still being developed, but will start and finish at the same location and is planned to stay within Columbia Park.
LESS
Columbia park trail run!
Easy course. Only hill is a slight incline upper bridge. It is an out and back, but it is a very nice course to run. It’s a smaller race, but … MORE
Easy course. Only hill is a slight incline upper bridge. It is an out and back, but it is a very nice course to run. It’s a smaller race, but it is very well organized.
Great Experience
Overall wonderful experience. This is a very nice small and locally run race. I had never been to Washington before so I was surprised that it was in a desert-like … MORE
Overall wonderful experience. This is a very nice small and locally run race. I had never been to Washington before so I was surprised that it was in a desert-like area. Very nice and helpful people in the town and the race for a non-local like myself. Because there aren’t a ton of runners and there is plenty of space, you don’t feel packed into a cattle corral like at other large races, and you don’t have to juke around people the first mile. Course basically has two large elevation gains at the bridges, and relatively flat other than that. I thought the race was well organized and communication was decent, it certainly felt more like an organic local running community event rather than some of the “fake” feeling corporate larger races. Scenery along the river is nice; and there’s a cute little turnaround that goes around a lighthouse. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a good small-medium size race.
Hidden Gem
This was my 2nd marathon and 11 minute PR. Had been aiming for a 3:12 but didn't taper properly--lesson learned for next race! Race production was top notch, it's clearly … MORE
This was my 2nd marathon and 11 minute PR. Had been aiming for a 3:12 but didn’t taper properly–lesson learned for next race!
Race production was top notch, it’s clearly put on by passionate runners. From the Rabbit race swag shirt, to the packet pickup options, to the email communication, on course support, course markings, and finishers area, just wow! They even had an Asics sponsored pizza shakeout and an optional Zoom call about two weeks out to go over the course. Now, that’s something I’d only expect from a big production big city race! Everyone was super friendly and I could see this race blowing up if they could move the Richland section which was crowded with pedestrians on the open-to-the-public bike path. The race was pretty lonely with essentially no crowd support (to be expected and appreciate those who did cheer us on), and not many running sub 3:30. Especially tough after Wade Park at mile 19 where it got very isolated. The start/finish was at a beautiful park on the Columbia.
I would totally recommend this as a first full, especially in Washington State. The Tri-Cities is a bustling small metro area after having only stopped for gas on road trips. For my 3rd full, I’d probably prefer a race with more crowd support and also, major shoutout to Runner’s Soul for putting on a great local race!
I’ve looked at running Modesto or 2 Cities down in California and I think that Run the River has major potential to grow to those sizes (medium sized rural city that draws BQers from major metros). It’s flat, low chance of rain, and low stress. I think they could grow by closing at least one of the bridge highway lanes and running on a closed surface road to increase some crowd support.
Better Every Year!
What do you care about when signing up for a marathon? Organized - check. Clear course markings/directions - check. Adequate aid stations with plenty of volunteer support - check. Food, … MORE
What do you care about when signing up for a marathon? Organized – check. Clear course markings/directions – check. Adequate aid stations with plenty of volunteer support – check. Food, recovery, and results at the end – check. Fast course – check. Pretty scenery – check. I’ve run this marathon all three years of its existence and it’s always been great and somehow gets better every year. The directors do several local races and they are all really well ran.
Pretty run along the river
It didn’t feel flat to me! lol Good aid station, good stuff at the end. Chances to win free stuff!! Weather can be unpredictable. Was nice and cold this morning. … MORE
It didn’t feel flat to me! lol Good aid station, good stuff at the end. Chances to win free stuff!! Weather can be unpredictable. Was nice and cold this morning. Sun was out which you warm up really quick. They had cheese quesadillas at the end with the regular fruit. Would have like to stay longer but had a funeral service to go to.
Scenic River Road Run
This well mapped out marathon runs along the gorgeous Columbia River. The course starts out flat with minimal elevation on the Kennewick side. Then gradually increases as you make your … MORE
This well mapped out marathon runs along the gorgeous Columbia River. The course starts out flat with minimal elevation on the Kennewick side. Then gradually increases as you make your way across the Blue Bridge. Once you’ve crossed over to the Pasco side you continue to run along beautiful residential communities until you get back onto the park trail. There’s strategically placed aid stations with water and electrolytes along the route. The volunteers were enthusiastic and prepared to provide you with assistance. The race committee were outstanding in providing warm blankets and tasty snacks after the race. Attention to the details were evident from the finisher medals and Tshirts to the signage of each race. The best part, was the recovery zone! This race has it all. If you’re considering a marathon, or any of the other options, this is a must!!!
Great course and well ran
Nice flat course. Pretty run almost all along the River. Super well run. This was my first marathon and it was a great experience. The weather was great and you … MORE
Nice flat course. Pretty run almost all along the River. Super well run. This was my first marathon and it was a great experience. The weather was great and you get a cool breeze off the River off and on, which is nice. I’ve already signed up for 2024 and plan on breaking 4 hrs.
Spectacular Views & Race
I had an amazing day helping sweep the marathon. The views along the river were stunning and all the participants were so kind! The race crew and volunteers did a … MORE
I had an amazing day helping sweep the marathon. The views along the river were stunning and all the participants were so kind! The race crew and volunteers did a wonderful job.
Awesome new marathon in Tri-Cities
We competed in and won the marathon relay this year with a local team. For a race in its first year, this was a very well ran race. Would 100% … MORE
We competed in and won the marathon relay this year with a local team. For a race in its first year, this was a very well ran race. Would 100% plan to run the full this coming year.
Great tour of the mighty Columbia River
Nice and easy open course on a very commonly run loop for locals. Though an open course, much of it on dedicated walk/bike path. 2023 provided perfect springtime weather in … MORE
Nice and easy open course on a very commonly run loop for locals. Though an open course, much of it on dedicated walk/bike path. 2023 provided perfect springtime weather in the Tri-Cities making it a pleasant race.
There were a few snafus in regards to directions but I maintain that the race directors did a very good job with both signs, volunteers, emailed map, and race day description. A few people just didnt pay attention.
The swag as well as the start/finish line amenities were top notch, felt like a larger, more prestigious race. The aid stations were well placed and stocked.
The course design was a mix between simple and frustrating (but not in a bad way). mainly the extra little partial loop at mile 25.5 where you can see the finish but you move away from it before looping back (i was dead).
The scenery consists of the beautiful Columbia river (and part of the yakima delta) the whole way. It consists of 3 bridges (4 crossings) which is neat as they are the only bridges (excluding trains) over the section of the Columbia in the Tri-City area, 2 of which are local focal points.
The race was very well organized (especially for its inaugural event). Would recommend and will be running it next year.
Excellent Inaugural Events
One of the best inaugural marathon that I’ve ever done. Early start was allowed for slow runner/walker. The weather was warm and sunny, course was next to scenic Columbia River, … MORE
One of the best inaugural marathon that I’ve ever done. Early start was allowed for slow runner/walker. The weather was warm and sunny, course was next to scenic Columbia River, outstanding Race Director and great volunteer support. This race is highly recommended to all my friends.