Sunday, October 22, 2023 • Hood River, OR • Course Map
Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge, whose roughly 80-mile-long stretch of river serves as the border between the states of Washington and Oregon, serves as the gorgeous setting for the Columbia Gorge Marathon & Half Marathon.
With its spectacular view of Mount Hood off in the distance, the area in which the race takes place is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most beautifully scenic natural areas, with several wineries and fruit orchards filled with peaches, apples and pears, as well as numerous tributaries and mountain creeks and waterfalls off the main river.
It has also become of the nation’s most popular spots for windsurfing, especially in the city of Hood River, where the race starts and finishes.
The race features an out-and-back route that starts and finishes on the Hood River Event Site. From there, runners head onto the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, which stretches more than 10 miles along the hold highway that winds along in parallel with the river.
Runners head southeast along the trail (also called Old Columbia River Drive), which they follow as it winds its way southeast along the river, and remain on this road all the way until they reach the mid-point of the half marathon course in the nearby town of Mosier, where they turn around and head back along the route they’ve just run.
Runners can expect the steepest hills of the race as they’re nearing the half-way turnaround point in Mosier, where the Columbia River Highway Trail approached Rock Creek Road. Once they make the turnaround, runners will hit those hills a second time as they head back toward Hood River, retracing their steps along the highway trail. They’ll make turns along East State Street, Oak Street and 2nd Street before heading across the water toward Port Marina Park.
The half marathon event is open to both runners and walkers, while the full, 26.2-mile marathon is for runners only. There is also a half marathon relay event for two-person teams. Walkers in the half marathon will start the race with the runners at 9:30 AM, which will be preceded by the full marathon start at 9:00 AM.
The race is open to 1,500 entrants for both races combined, so if you’re thinking of signing up, organizers encourage you to do so early.
Race Weather & Climate
Nestled along a bend in the winding Columbia River, which snakes through this part of the Pacific Northwest and divides Washington State and Oregon, Hood River typically experiences moderately cool to quite cold weather in the mid-fall.
On race day (Oct. 22), the average low is 36ºF and the average high is 62ºF.
Past Results
- 2022 Results
- 2021 Columbia Gorge Half Marathon Results
- 2019 Columbia Gorge Half Marathon Results
- 2018 Columbia Gorge Half Marathon Results
- 2017 Columbia Gorge Half Marathon Results
- 2016 Columbia Gorge Half Marathon Results
- 2015 Columbia Gorge Half Marathon Results
- 2014 Columbia Gorge Half Marathon Results
- 2013 Columbia Gorge Half Marathon Results
- 2012 Columbia Gorge Half Marathon Results
- 2011 Columbia Gorge Half Marathon Results
Course Map
See the race route map for the Columbia Gorge Half Marathon here.
Starting Time
- 9:00 AM – full marathon
- 9:30 AM – half marathon
Fees
- $85 and up for the half marathon
- $95 and up for the full marathon
Registration
To reserve your spot in the 2023 running of the Columbia Gorge Marathon & Half Marathon, register online at RunReg.com here.
Official Race Website
Facebook Conversations
Ever run in the Columbia Gorge Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.
[fbcomments]
