Runners start the out-and-back course for the race at Hillsboro’s Gordon Faber Recreational Complex, which lies just off Evergreen Parkway and 229th Avenue, next to the Hondo Dog Park.
From there, the race heads west along Bennett Street, Hoffman Street and Meek Road, and then turns left to head south and makes a big loop around Sewell Road, Evergreen Road and Jackson School Road, before turning left to head west again on Scotch Church Road. There’s a brief out-and-back on Scotch Church, and then runners begin heading back along Meek Road toward the start again.
Just over 850 runners crossed the finish line in the half marathon alone last year, out of a total of more than 1,700 finishers in both races combined.
Along the way — the course is filled with “flat, tree-lined streets with amazing scenic views,” organizers say — runners will pass by a number of local parks including the Hondo Dog Park just outside the recreational complex near the start/finish line, and along plenty of rolling country roads just outside Hillsboro in the middle miles of the race.
After the race, there’s a free mimosa for every finisher and a pancake breakfast waiting for you at the finish line festival.
Founded by Paula Harkin of Runwithpaula Events, this race was part of Oregon’s Hood to Coast Race Series before returning to the Runwithpaula umbrella.