Now set for its 20th annual running this year, the Haulin’ Aspen Half Marathon starts with the full and “Half-As” courses at the parking lot of the Wanoga park, just off Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway, between Bend and the Mount Bachelor Ski Resort area.
From there, runners head out on what is roughly a figure-8-shaped course, which will feature stunning views of the Cascade Range mountains in all directions. You’ll make your way along single-track trails for the first mile, and then head onto forest service roads, a pattern that will alternate throughout the race.
This high-elevation race begins at about 5,500 feet above sea level and features hills through most of the route. The steepest hill is actually a downhill stretch in the second half of the race, between miles 10 and 11 as runners are heading northeast along the Tiddlywinks Trail.
The trail is surrounded by ponderosa, aspen and pine trees for much of the race, which will finish back at the parking lot area for the Wanoga Sno-Park just off the highway.