St. Helens Reindeer Run
St Helens, OR
- Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The St. Helens Reindeer Run is a 5K, 10K or a half-marathon (all either run or walk) that heads out of town into the countryside (you will probably even see some real deer). All funds raised will be donated to the Columbia County Toy-n-Joy, the Columbia Food Bank and the … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Dec 06):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 55 | 47 | 58 | 40 | 46 |
| L (°F) | 47 | 29 | 48 | 36 | 40 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Pretty good for a small event
I had signed up for this race to be completed in 2023, but then I contracted COVID. I contacted the race director and she deferred my race until 2024. This … MORE
I had signed up for this race to be completed in 2023, but then I contracted COVID. I contacted the race director and she deferred my race until 2024. This was only the first of pleasant surprises about this race.
I had to work the day before so I did not pick up my race packet until race morning. I can assure you that there was not a race expo as the race is run by a church in a small town. Even though I was picking up my packet on race morning the process was quick and everyone was friendly. One of the first benefits of this race being the size that it is, is that you can stretch inside the warm church before you have to go out on the course. This was much appreciated on this cold and wet morning. Announcements were plentiful and loud for the races and the smells of the treats baking was a lovely accompaniment to stretching.
The race launched on time and I believe there were 81 people in the half. The course is not going to be amazing sights as St Helens is not a National Park. With that being said, I appreciated that the race went through neighborhoods both and the beginning and end (it’s an out and back). The course was well marked and had a lot of support for the size of the race. I feel like the aid stations were well positioned. There are 2 hills each on the out and back. They are both sides of the same hills though I will say that the heading back is slightly easier than the going out.
The finish line was packed with food and drink. They have fresh baked (by the members of the church) pastries, bagels, bananas, and water. There was coffee but there was no way I was pouring hot coffee on a digestive system that just did a half. The medal and the shirt were very well designed and I was thoroughly impressed.
I have done a lot of half marathons and know a good one when I experience it. This race hits well above its weight and I would suggest it to anyone that wants to have a nice small race.
Good swag, scenic route
It was a nice out and back course with decent scenery. The route was hilly and the race was geared more toward the shorter distances. The event was well coordinated … MORE
It was a nice out and back course with decent scenery. The route was hilly and the race was geared more toward the shorter distances. The event was well coordinated and the swag was awesome.