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Washington > White Salmon Backyard Half Marathon
White Salmon, WA • Saturday, June 15, 2013 • Course Map
The 6th annual White Salmon Backyard Trail Half is free to enter. The caveat is that the race organizers are accepting donations for the Columbia High School Cross Country Team and are looking to raise $3,000 to cover expenses for managing the team for the entire season. A suggested amount of $12 is given, but racers are free to give more or less.
The course map is a secret as parts of it are on private land. However, it does include a trip to the top of Hospital Hill and the elevation map indicates that this is no walk in the park. Over 1,800 feet of elevation gain is not indicative of a course that would be described as fast, but runners will be able to enjoy amazing views of the gorge at the halfway point.
White Salmon is located in the Columbia River Gorge, the largest river in the Pacific Northwest. For thousands of years, this river has provided sustenance to those living nearby and teems with anadromous fish, species that are able to survive in both freshwater and the ocean. In more recent times, the river has been an important transportation route, providing access points along more than 1,200 miles.
Runners will start and finish this loop course near Everybody's Brewing Pub at Rheingarten Park, at the intersection of North Main Ave and Northwest Lincoln St. From the starting line at around an elevation of 600 feet, runners will have a chance to warm up for about a mile. The course is relatively flat for the first mile and eases into rolling hills as runners head into the second mile.
Once runners get to the second mile marker, they will begin to climb the hill. For the next 3 miles, they will run to elevation of 2100 feet, a net ascent of 1300 feet. The course is a relatively steady climb with very few changes in grade as racers make their way to the top. An aid station, staffed with members of the cross country team will be located around mile 4. After mile marker 5, runners will encounter another series of rolling hills for approximately a mile.
After mile marker 6, runners will make their final climb to the top and ascend another 300 feet in the next mile. Just past the halfway mark on the course, runners will be able to slowly make their way down and racers will descend for a mile and a half. Another aid station is located around mile marker 7. At just past mile marker 9, the course gains elevation for about a half mile. But soon, runners will be flying back down the hill and will spend 3 miles descending.
Racers will have a chance to rehydrate one final time at the aid station around mile marker 10. The final mile is a short climb of around 150 feet to the finish line where racers can enjoy food and drinks after the race at Everybody's.
By Carissa Liebowitz, contributing writer for HalfMarathons.Net
Race Weather & Climate
Nestled in the Columbia River Gorge, White Salmon is home to a mild year-round climate, which should make for pleasant running weather on race day. Average June temperatures range between 50°F and 75°F.
On the day of the race (June 15), the average low is 50°F and the average high is 74°F. Rain is likely not a problem as summer is the dry season and less than an inch of rain falls during the entire month.
Course Map
View the map for the White Salmon Backyard Half Marathon
Fees
Free, but a donation of $12 is suggested
Registration
To reserve your spot in the early summer 2013 running of the White Salmon Backyard Half Marathon, register online at UltraSignUp.com.
Official Race Website
www.columbiagorgerunningclub.com
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