ORRC Vernonia Full Marathon And Half Marathon

Marathon starts at Vernonia's Cedar Ridge Retreat Center, goes around the Vernonia Lake, and proceeds onto the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, finishing at Banks High School track. Twenty-one miles of the course runs along paved rails to trails through scenic forests. The course includes a gradual uphill from Miles 9 to 13 and downhill from Mile 14 to 21, where it is flat to the finish: see elevation plot. The trail crosses several roads, at which traffic control will be provided. Although the trail is closed to vehicular traffic, be cognizant that it is not closed to the two-way traffic of other runners, walkers, bicyclists, hikers and horseback riders. Therefore, always keep to the right, only two abreast, to allow passing bicyclists, runners and opposing traffic through. If marathoners are unable to reach the aid station at Crossman Road (Mile 23) by 2:30pm they will be pulled from the course.

• Coffee: Cedar Ridge Resort (Vernonia Marathon start location) will provide coffee for all full marathoners.

• Marathon Aid stations and potties: at Miles 2, 4, 7, 10, 11.5, 13, 15.5, 19, 21.5, 23, 25. There will be water, Gatorade, Gu, plus sweet and salty snacks at each aid station.

• Traffic will NOT be stopped when you are crossing Highway 47 at Tophill Trailhead (near the half marathon mark). There will be flaggers slowing traffic, but you must defer to vehicles when you are crossing the highway.

For a trail map, click here.
For course map, go to www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=494882 
This course is USATF certified, and is a Boston qualifier - click here.

The half marathon starts inside Stub Stewart State Park at Hilltop and joins the Banks-Vernonia State Trail at Mile 2, and finishes at Banks High School on the track. Most of the course runs along paved rails to trails through scenic forests. The course is uphill for the first mile, gradual downhill until mile 7 and flat to the finish. The trail crosses several roads, but is otherwise closed to traffic; traffic control will be provided. Aid stations and potties will be provided at Miles 2, 5.5, 8,10.5, 12. There will be water, Gatorade, Gu, and sweet and salty snacks at each aid station.

This course is USATF certified (OR18010LB). Click here to view the certification document.

For a map of the trail, click here.
For a map of the course go to http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/486138268

Online registration at  https://orrc.net/events/event-list/vernonia-marathon-and-half/  doesn't close. 

No ORRC discount day of race. Same day Registration starts at 6:00am. Registration is non-refundable.

Socks
A pair of custom Vernonia Fitsoks is included in the registration fee.

Long Sleeve Tech T-Shirt
A long-sleeved tech T-shirt is available for $20 and is NOT included in the registration fee. Only pre-orders are guaranteed a t-shirt. 

The race is point-to-point. Participants, please park at Banks Middle School, Sunset Speedway Park, Banks Elementary or on city streets near the high school. We will provide shuttle buses from Banks to the start line.

The first MARATHON bus to start line leaves Banks Middle School at 6:15 a.m. The last marathon bus leaves at 7 a.m.

The first HALF MARATHON bus to Stub Stewart State Park start time leaves at 7 a.m. The last bus leaves at 8 a.m. 

It is your responsibility to transport yourself to the start should you miss the bus. Have someone drive you to the start after picking up your bib in Banks. Or at the start line.

Drop bags provided at the start. Returned to the finish line. Lost and found items at BMS.

Sweepers check for injuries and direct people to the nearest trailhead if hurt or unable to finish in time allowed; transportation will be provided as needed.

AWARDS - Plaques to the overall and masters runners in male, female and non-binary categories. The top five finishers in each five year age group will earn ribbons. The walk is non-competitive, so there are no separate awards for walkers. All finishers will receive a medal. Awards ceremony for the half marathon at about 11:30am and for the marathon at about 1pm. Raffle running gear and homemade pies occur during the awards ceremonies.

FOOD - ORRC provides (prepared by the Vernonia Boosters) for all event participants and family: hot soup, baked potatoes, beverages, and snacks at Banks Middle School (BMS) after the race. Awards ceremonies and raffle (prizes to include running gear and pies) will begin at approximately 12:30 and 1:30 p.m., for the half marathon and marathon events, respectively. 

SHOWERS - Free showers will be available at Banks Middle School. Bring your own towel.

50 STATERS - ORRC has special award for 50 Staters if the Vernonia Marathon is your 50th state.  We'd like to recognize your great effort, and celebrate that you reached your goal in Oregon at an ORRC race.  Please contact the race director no later than March 1, 2023 at vernonia@oregonroadrunnersclub.org

This race is chip timed. Results will be available at www.orrc.net and at http://hubertiming.com

Online registration is open through race day before buses leave for the start lines. 
 
Bib numbers are assigned when checking-in at Banks Middle School (12850 NW Main Street, Banks OR 97106) either on Saturday, April 15 (3 p.m. - 6 p.m.) or on race day 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.  Runners may also check-in at the start lines. Picking-up other participants' bibs is permitted.

ORRC brings the sights and sounds of both the half and full marathons directly into friends and family living rooms through live streaming. Multiple cameras will cruise alongside runners and walkers as well as at the start and finish lines. There will also be an open mike at the finish line. The vendor, Active-Track, also utilizes facial recognition technology to produce customized edited videos for individual runners and walkers, capturing their indelible images for a lifetime. Information on purchasing the nominal-fee video will be posted later. 

Vernonia has several Bed & Breakfasts. Banks has no motels. Forest Grove and Hillsboro, seven and ten miles respectively from Banks, has motels and B & Bs. To view the Forest Grove Chamber of Commerce Lodging directory – click here.

Friends and family who want to cheer their runner/walker can access the course at the trailheads. Download a map of the Banks-Vernonia State Trail for details. There is limited parking at Cedar Ridge (marathon start) and Stub Stewart (the half marathon start). There are bleachers and limited parking at the Banks track (where both races finish).

Individual and group volunteers should contact Race Director Mark Barrett at vernonia@oregonroadrunnersclub.org  or 503-821-9577.

Water, Gatorade, Gu packets, plus sweet and salty snacks will be available every 2 to 3 miles.  This race is cupless (i.e. we will not provide paper cups; you must provide your own drinking container).  Please bring handhelds, bottles, hydration vests or collapsible cups. ORRC provides limited number of silicon cups. 

Due to unpredictable conditions and COVID guidelines, any part of these logistics may change.  We will keep you informed via social media and email.  We love running, but safety is our first priority.

The waiver includes an additional acknowledgement that you have read and accept the ORRC Covid-19 Safety Protocols .  Please take to the time to read these carefully before you sign the waiver. These protocols may or may not be in place by race day, but will be observed if mandated by the State of Oregon and the Banks School District at that time. Indoor and bus face covering is optional.

Participants expressly waive any entitlement to a refund but are transferrable to other ORRC event.  

Switching Vernonia Events: You may switch from the marathon to the half.  If you decide to do this before the start, please contact the race director ASAP (vernonia@oregonroadrunnersclub.org) or report the change at the Day of Race registration table. 

This event is cupless. 

ORRC will NOT provide paper cups at aid stations.  Participants are expected to bring their own hand helds, hydration packs or reusable cups.  Aid station workers will have pitchers to fill containers and there will be rapid-fill spigots on some water jugs.

Headsets - The use of personal music devices is strongly discouraged at this race. To enjoy all that our race has to offer and for the safety of all participants, ORRC encourages a headphone-free environment.
Strollers - Strollers, baby joggers or similar devices are permitted, but should start in the back of the pack.
Animals - Dogs are not permitted.
Age - We discourage anyone younger than 15 to run in this event. The trail is open to other runners, walkers and bicyclists, so please be mindful of others on the trail to ensure a safe and enjoyable race for everyone.