Saturday, June 20, 2020 • Oakridge, OR
You’ll get to run a course that’s been called the “most scenic in Oregon” by runners who’ve completed it in recent years at The Dam Marathon & Half Marathon, which unfolds along a route on the Hills Creek Dam here in the Willamette National Forest near the small town of Oakridge, which lies just over a half-hour’s drive from Eugene.
Popular as a spot to take advantage of this gorgeous area’s hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing and other outdoor pursuits, Oakridge is home to just over 3,200 people and is surrounded on all sides by the national forest and the Cascade Mountains, which rise off in the distance.
It’s not hard to see why, especially when you get a look at the beautiful forests and the five rivers that meet here, including the Middle and North forks of the Willamette River.
Start in Green Waters Park. That will be your scenery as you make your way along the course, which follows an out-and-back route that starts and finishes at Green Waters Park, near the banks of the Willamette River.
From the starting line inside the park, the first mile of the race runs along a trail that leads over a bridge across the river and through a forest filled with tall trees. After that, you’ll head onto a gravel road along the river, and then make your way toward Hills Creek Lake.
The next several miles unfold entirely along the lake as you run atop the west side of the Hills Creek Dam, which stretches some 44 miles along the shoreline of the lake and was built back in 1961.
Half-way turnaround at Packard Creek. The race keeps heading south across Larison Creek down to the turnaround at Packard Creek Day Use Area, and from there they’ll head north along the route they’ve just run, all the way back to Green Waters Park for the race finish.
Organizers say water and energy boosters will be available at mile markers 1.8, 3, 5 and the half-way turnaround.
All photos courtesy The Dam Marathon + Half
Race Weather & Climate
Surrounded by the Willamette National Forest in western Oregon, just over a half-hour’s drive from Eugene, Oakridge typically sees some of its mildest temperatures and driest weather of the year in June, when temperatures average between the upper 40s and the mid-70s.
- June 20 average low temp: 47ºF
- June 20 average high temp: 74ºF
Course Map
See the race route map for The Dam Half Marathon here.
Starting Time
- 8:00 AM – full marathon
- 9:30 AM – half marathon, mountain hike
- 11:00 AM – 10K, 5K
Fees
- $84 and up for the half marathon
- $94 and up for the full marathon
- $29 and up for the 10K, 5K, mountain hike
Registration
To reserve your spot in the 2020 running of Oakridge’s The Dam Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K or 5K race, register online at the event website here.
