Huckleberry Half Marathon, 10K & 5K

Saturday, August 5, 2023 • Welches, OR • Course Map

Note: A virtual option is available for this event. Registration details are included below.

Surrounded by the tree-covered slopes of the Cascades and Mount Hood off in the distance, this small and gorgeously scenic half marathon in northwest Oregon is the picture-perfect example of a small-town race, as it will be run among the golf courses and moss-filled trees among the forests here in this unincorporated community in the Villages at Mount Hood.

Runners in both the half marathon and the 10K will start their race next to Welches Middle School and Hoodland County Park on East Salmon River Road, just off Mount Hood Highway. From there, the half marathon course heads south and west, along Fairway Avenue and past the golf course at The Resort at The Mountain, part of a cluster of golf courses whose history here dates back to the 1920s.

The scenery through this stretch — really along much of the race route — is filled with plentiful trees and wide, green grassy fairways on the golf course. Runners can expect a mostly downhill stretch for the first couple of miles along Fairway Avenue and Dry Crystal Creek Road, though the downhill ends around the mile 3 marker, as runners are heading back east along Fairway.

There, the course takes an uphill turn, which continues for roughly the next 5 miles. The course turns right off Fairway and onto Welches Road, and here runners head south (and largely uphill) all the way down to the second turnaround point.

The Salmon River is your companion for much of this stretch as it winds along in parallel to the road, here in the Mount Hood National Forest. The turnaround occurs near the Green Canyon trailhead, sending runners back north.

The courses crosses over the river twice during the 13.1-mile race, which continues north (and mostly downhill) for the next several miles, all the way back into the race finish line on East Salmon River Road, back at Welches Middle School.

Walkers are welcome. Walkers may participate with the runners, as long as they can finish the half marathon within 3 1/2 hours (the race course will close at 11:00 AM).

Course only “semi” closed. The course also will be “semi-closed,” organizers add, meaning that runners will need to stay within the coned-off areas of the road during the race — auto traffic will be permitted in some areas, so runners are urged to always be cautious during the run.

All photos courtesy Huckleberry Half Marathon

Race Weather & Climate

Located just west of Mount Hood in northwest Oregon, about 45 miles east of Portland, Welches typically sees some of its warmest and driest weather of the year in August, which has brought record temperatures as low as 39°F (in 1980) and as high as 106°F (in 1977).

On race day (Aug. 5), the average low is 54ºF and the average high is 82ºF.

Past Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Huckleberry Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

  • 6:45 AM – half marathon walkers
  • 7:30 AM – half marathon
  • 8:15 AM – 15K
  • 8:30 AM – 10K
  • 8:45 AM – 5K

Fees

  • $56 – $65 for the half marathon
  • $55 – $65 for the 15K
  • $54 – $65 for the 10K
  • $53 – $65 for the 5K
  • $45 for the virtual race

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2023 running of Welches’ Huckleberry Half Marathon or 10K race, register online at GetMeRegistered.com here.

Official Race Website

huckleberryhalfmarathon.com

Comments

Ever run in the Huckleberry Half? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.

See more races in: August, Oregon

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