ORRC Vernonia Marathon, Half Marathon, and Marathon Relay

Online registration at  https://orrc.net/events/event-list/vernonia-marathon-and-half/  Closes the day before the event. THERE IS NO DAY OF RACE REGISTRATION!

Registration is non-refundable.

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 shirt. 

The race is point-to-point, so participants will be bussed from the check-in at Banks Middle School to the start lines.

PLEASE GIVE YOURSELF AT LEAST AN HOUR TO GET TO BANKS FROM PORTLAND!

Participants, please park at Banks Middle School, Sunset Speedway Park, Banks Elementary or on city streets near the high school.

NO-ONE SHOULD PARK AT THE START! Parking at Camp Cedar Ridge is quite limited and we don’t want extra vehicles on the road with the runners and walkers as they head into Vernonia. Instead, if necessary, park near Anderson Park in the Crown Zellerbach parking lot (Adams Ave and Maple St), or on city streets.

The first MARATHON bus to the start line leaves Banks Middle School at 6:15am. The last MARATHON bus leaves at 7am!

The first HALF-MARATHON bus to Stub Stewart State Park start line leaves at 7:15am. The last HALF-MARATHON bus leaves at 8am!

It is your responsibility to transport yourself to the start should you miss the last bus. If you miss the last bus to the start (after picking up your bib), you must have someone drive you to the start. 

Drop bags for participant's clothes, gear are provided at both start lines. All bags will be returned to the finish line. Lost and found items can be found at Banks Middle School.

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

Packet Pick-up at Banks Middle School: Early packet pickup is available at Banks Middle School (12850 NW Main Street, Banks OR 97006) on Saturday April 11th from 3pm to 6pm. Race day pickup begins at 6:00am through 8:00am at Banks Middle School.

We are using dynamic bib assignment, so you’ll be assigned a number when you pick up your bib.

It is permitted for friends/family/team captains to pick up bibs for others (no ID required).

For Relay Teams: One person from each relay team will pick up the bibs for the entire team. The last runner/walker on the team should wear the bib with the chip on it.

ORRC wants to celebrate your firsts. We will have "My First Half Marathon" or "My First Marathon" bibs available at packet pick-up. Customize your bib and wear it on race day so that others can see your goal and encourage you along the way. Suitable for framing and social media.

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

AWARDS - For the Marathon and Half-marathon, there will be plaques given to the overall male, female and non-binary, and masters male, female and non-binary categories. The top five finishers in each five year age group will earn ribbons. There are no separate awards for walkers or relay teams. All finishers will receive a medal.  The awards ceremony for the half marathon will take place at about 11:30am and for the marathon at about 1pm. Raffles for running gear and homemade pies occur during the awards ceremonies.

FOOD - ORRC provides hot food, beverages, and snacks at Banks Middle School after the event. 

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

50 STATERS - ORRC would like to acknowledge any 50-State Marathon participant if the Vernonia Marathon is your 50th state.  Please contact the race directors no later than March 1, 2027 at vernonia@oregonroadrunnersclub.org

ORRC wants to recognize all of its participants, from the first to the last. The last person to cross the finish line will earn a Red Caboose Award. (Note: If there are multiple distances for an event, there aren’t multiple cabooses, just one for the very last participant) 

Individual and group volunteers may sign up on Runsignup.com. Individual volunteers get a $50 credit that can be use for ORRC events. ORRC makes donations to teams and non-profit groups that provide volunteers. Contact Race Directors Laura Cryst, Carrie Fleisher or Tracy Reisinger at vernonia@oregonroadrunnersclub.org for details.

For the marathon there will be 11 aid stations, and for the half-marathon there will be 5 aid stations (every 2-3 miles).

Water, Gatorade, Gu packets, plus sweet and salty snacks will be available at each aid station

We will provide paper cups at aid stations, but we encourage participants to bring their own hydration system—packs, handhelds, silicone cups, etc.—to reduce waste on the course. 

The 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. Cups will be provided for drinking liquids.

• 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 Day Use Area and joins the Banks-Vernonia State Trail at Mile 2.4, and finishes at Banks High School on the track. Most of the course runs along paved trails through scenic forests. The course is uphill for the first mile, steep downhill until Mile 2.4, then 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. Cups will be provided for drinking liquids.

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

We are offering a 2 or 4 person marathon relay. Your team will have 7 hours to complete the distance, divided in legs that are 4.65 miles (Camp Cedar Ridge to Anderson Park), 8.45 miles (Anderson Park to Tophill), 5.3 miles (Tophill to Buxton), and 7.8 miles (Buxton to Banks High School).  (The legs aren't equal because of trailhead parking logistics.) The course manual is below but expect updates as the relay gets closer. 

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ORRC Vernonia Marathon Relay

Registration

• You may walk or run in teams of two or four members. There are no other division/categories (such as men’s, women’s, mixed masters or walking)
• Each team member must be registered and sign a waiver. Registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable.
• If you are an individual looking for a team, or a team in need of an extra runner/walker, contact the race directors at vernonia@oregonroadrunnersclub.org.
• If you need to add/drop a member of your team. Contact the race directors at vernonia@oregonroadrunnersclub.org 

Day of Race

• Print and bring a copy of the course manual and leg maps 
• Packet Pick-up - Each team should designate one person to pick up bibs for the whole team (no ID required). Each team will get a set of four bibs, but only one of the bibs will have a chip.  The chipped bib MUST be worn by the person doing Leg 4.
• Bibs MUST be worn on the front, so race officials can record which teams have passed each exchange and which teams have finished.

Getting to the Start:

The first runner/walker should either:

1) Get on the shuttle bus to the marathon start at Banks Middle School

or

2) Get dropped off by their team van at Camp Cedar Ridge 

Legs:

The legs are not equally in distance because of exchange zone parking requirements. Two person teams may run the four legs in any order they like (alternating or back-to-back).

• Leg 1: Camp Cedar Ridge to Anderson Park (exchange after loop around the lake)--4.65 miles
• Leg 2: Anderson Park to Tophill—8.45 miles (13.1 total)
• Leg 3: Tophill to Buxton—5.3 miles (18.4 total)
• Leg 4: Buxton to Banks—7.8 miles (26.2 total)

Exchanges:
Handoffs should occur inside the designated exchange zones.  There are no batons; touching hands is sufficient.   

At the Finish

• Teammates usually cross the finish line with the last runner.  Have your team wait and run the last 100 yards on the track together.  
• Awards will be given to the first 4-person, and first 2-person teams (there will be no sub-divisions like male, female, mixed, masters or walking). 

Questions? Contact Race Directors Laura Cryst, Carrie Fleisher or Tracy Reisinger at vernonia@oregonroadrunnersclub.org.

Friends and family who want to cheer their runner/walker can access the course at the various trailheads: Anderson Park (Miles 2 &4), Beavercreek (Mile 9) , McDonald Road (Mile 10), Tophill (Mile 13) Stub Stewart (Mile 15.5), Buxton (Mile19), Manning (Mile 22) and Crossman Road (Mile 24). Download a map of the Banks-Vernonia State Trail for details. DO NOT park on the highway within 200 feet of the Tophill Trailhead. There is limited parking at Cedar Ridge (marathon start) and Stub Stewart (the half marathon start). There is limited parking at Banks HS (where both races finish).

ORRC is partnering with the Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District "Adult Running Club" in preparing runners for the Vernonia Half Marathon and Marathon. This community-focused program is designed for adults looking to build endurance, stay motivated, and train with other local runners. The 14-week training season begins January 5, 2027.

Participants (age 16+) will receive a structured training plan with half and full marathon options. The group will meet weekly for coached runs featuring endurance, speed, hills, and race preparation. Workouts on non-group run days will be customized for each participant based on their goals, race distance, and training needs.

ORRC will offer 20 free entries to the Vernonia Marathon and Half-Marathon for the first 20 people who register for this training program

For more information, or to register with THPRD click here: THPRD Adult Running Program

Oregon State Parks offer some of the most breath-taking landscapes and natural wonders in the world.

Oregon State Parks, including Stub Stewart and the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, serve all Oregonians. They are not funded by taxes. Visitation, lottery funds and the generosity of donors helps them preserve and protect these special places and improve the park experience for all.

Consider a donation to help visitors enjoy these spaces for generations to come. Know that 100% of your donation goes toward state park operations and special service projects.

Shoe Donation

We are offering shoe recycling at the race. You may bring your GENTLY USED sneakers for reuse with Sneakers4Good. For example, perhaps they have served their life with 400 miles of running, but could still be used for walking or daily wear. We prefer reasonably CLEAN and DRY shoes, as we must dry them before shipping. Very worn or ripped shoes can be recycled but not reused. Any funds earned from shoe recycling will support ORRC’s Community Outreach program. 

At our running events, ORRC strives to promote inclusivity and fairness for all participants. While it's true that running only requires a pair of shoes, we understand that barriers to entry exist. Our Pay It Forward Fund (PIFF) assists those with financial difficulties paying for race fees. Contact this event’s race director about discounted race entries. We want to emphasize that everyone is welcome at our races, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and youth runners.

Event registration fees are non-refundable

Participants may NOT transfer their entry to another person

Switching Vernonia Events: You may switch from the marathon to the half, but NOT from the half to the marathon.  If you decide you want to do this, please contact the race director before race-day at vernonia@oregonroadrunnersclub.org, or request a change when picking up your bib at Banks Middle School.

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 strongly discouraged at this race.
Animals - Dogs are not permitted.
Age - We discourage anyone younger than 15 to run/walk in this event.

Trail Etiquette - The Vernonia/Banks 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.

Road Safety - Follow the Rules of the Road. Most streets and roads will not be closed to traffic, so follow the usual rules when running on roads (e.g. keep left running against traffic).  There will be certified flaggers stopping traffic at McDonald Road, the Buxton Trailhead, the Stub Stewart Trailhead, the Manning Trailhead and the Banks Trailhead.  There are a few other intersections that don’t get much traffic and won't have flaggers, so always be attentive at intersections and on roads.

In Case of Emergencies - Cell phones are unreliable on much of the course, so contact a race official for questions and emergencies.  We will have ham radio operators on the course who are in contact with EMS and the race directors.  We will have first aid kits at each aid station, and an AED at the finish line, but call 911 in a true emergency. If you encounter a dangerous situation (e.g. loose dog) or have a medical emergency, please report the incident to race officials or a ham radio operator ASAP.  Give specific details and information so we can follow up with EMS and law enforcement as is appropriate.  

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

Goal
To foster equal and inclusive involvement of transgender and nonbinary individuals participating in ORRC events while also promoting fairness in award competitions.

Nonbinary Entrants
During registration, all entrants can select their gender category – male, female, or nonbinary. Entrants who choose nonbinary will have their own division, results page, and awards.

Transgender Entrants
Transgender women can register to compete in the female category, if those athletes have undergone medically supervised hormone treatment for at least one year prior to the race; and in the non-binary or male category without restriction. 

Transgender men can register to compete in the male or non-binary category without restriction; or in the female category if they have not undergone gender-affirming hormone treatment that includes testosterone.

Policy Enforcement
The gender and category that a runner selects during registration will be accepted as is. As such, no challenges to a runner's gender or category will be allowed or tolerated.

This policy will be updated as needed to ensure fair and inclusive practices.