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Marathon Details - Vernonia Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > OR > Vernonia > Vernonia Marathon

Vernonia Marathon

ORRC Vernonia Marathon & Half Marathon, Marathon Relay

Vernonia, OR USA

April 13, 2025

http://orrc.net/events/event-list/vernonia-marathon-and-half/

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Marathon Results

By Year:

2024 2023 2022 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 Top 3 Finishers

Race Details

Mostly flat, paved trail on Banks-Vernonia State Trail

Contact Information

Name:	Mark Barrett
Address:	PO Box 1035 Forest Grove, OR 97116
Phone Number:	503-821-9577
Email:	Email the organizers

Runner Reviews (10)

Course 4.9

Organization 4.5

Spectators 2.9

Write a review

Number of comments: 10

S. R. from Seattle, WA (4/17/2019) "Fun, Small Race" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Vernonia Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Ran ORCC Vernonia Marathon this past Sunday 4/14, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this race. Despite being small, only a couple hundred competitors, it was well organized and the course was easy to follow, well marked, and pretty quick. The weather looked like it might give us trouble, but after a little light rain at the start, it was cool, cloudy, and dry the rest of the way and made for a fast day overall. The aid stations were adequate, and crowd support was sparse, limited to just the trailheads along the river trail, but if you're looking to get away from the majors and other large marathons where you're dodging thousands of people, Vernonia might be a great option. Definitely one of my favorite smaller marathons ever.
J. S. from Minnesota (4/14/2016) "Wonderful small race" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Vernonia Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 What a lovely race! Small field (appx 200), run almost completely on a paved trail through the woods. Beautiful scenery. Perfect weather. Buses to the start with plenty of amenities, hot coffee, and a bag drop. Favorable elevation profile, especially considering the hilly area. A steep downhill and then uphill right at the half, but almost the entire second half of the race is flat or gradual downhill. Minimal spectators, but no matter. Trailheads made it easy for those who wanted to spectate to do so. Excellent aid stations that were fully stocked with water, gatorade, snacks, and Gu. Finish at the high school track with hot soup and a raffle for homemade pies. Excellent race organization. If I hadn't traveled halfway across the country, I would definitely be running this again!
S. C. from Eugene Oregon (4/13/2016) "Gorgeous Rails-To-Trails Course" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Vernonia Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My thrid time and I still love this run. Miles 14-18, or so, are so beautiful its like you are in a wilderness. I highly recommend this for 50 Staters as your Oregon run. It really highlights our wooded beauty. This was run like clockwork. Love the finish, the hot soup, the nice medal, and the friendly runners. I'll be back!
K. S. from Portland, Oregon (4/16/2015) "Beautiful, well-organized, forest run" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Vernonia Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This is an absolutely beautiful course, going through the forest of the coastal hills, at a wonderful time of year. The organizers have made some significant improvements this year, starting the run at 8:00 and putting the half-marathon in the second half of the course. The aide stations are well-stocked and frequent. Since there are less than 150 marathoners and virtually no spectators, you may find yourself alone most of the run. But it doesn't matter; the forest is all the company you need.
R. C. from Peaks Island, Maine (4/14/2015) "Favorite Course Ever!!" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Vernonia Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I loved this race and hope to do it again. The course is scenic, safe, peaceful and mostly downhill. If you require a band every mile & lots of high fives do NOT do this marathon! With less than 150 runners in the full & only occasional spots for spectators, I had the run to myself & enjoyed every step. In spite of the remoteness, course support was fantastic with water, Gatorade, Gu & food at every station. My only quibble was food at the end where peanut butter or yogurt,easy protein, would have been appreciated. Thank you Oregon! I'll be back.
D. R. from Portland, OR (4/14/2014) "2014 was a warm race, but a good one!" (about: 2014) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Vernonia Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This race had a smaller field (about 210 runners in the full) but I'm very pleased with my experience. The aid stations were well stocked (oranges, bananas jelly beans, there was even Coke at one of them). Considering the higher than 'normal' temperatures for this time of year, I know that it can be a challenge to maintain enough water for all of the runners. I thought the course was beautiful. Miles 15-20 were a gradual downhill, which was such a great mental boost after a steep hill at 13 right after the half marathoners finished. Although there is a gradual uphill from about mile 9-13, I didn't find that too challenging. There are not tons of people cheering you on, but I thought there were just enough to keep me going. I was a little disappointed that there was no food at the end..?? There was water, but after running 26.2 miles, I would have expected something to eat afterwards. Overall, my experience was a positive one. I'd recommend this as a low key race through a pretty part of Oregon.
Kirk S. from Portland, Oregon (4/14/2014) "Springtime in the Oregon Forest - Beautiful!" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Vernonia Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This is truly getting away from it all. There were just 210 marathoners this year, and the weather was clear and sunny - kinda warm by the end of the run. Miles 7 through 13 is hilly, so respect that and save your energy for the final stretch. Not many spectators since you are out in the woods, but the people out for a bike ride give you plenty of encouragement. Well-stocked aid stations. It would be best to start earlier; 9:30 is just too late, especially on a warm day like this year!!
Carl Marshall from Portland, OR (6/19/2012) "Beautiful Small Race" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Vernonia Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 The course is very beautiful as you wind your way from Banks to Vernonia. The first 6 ish miles are flat, then steady up until the half. Steep drop and ascent at the half. Then, a steady descent for the second half. I did my second fastest marathon time on this course. No fans at all since you are in secluded forest. You end on the race track through a very small gate that only one person could go through at a time. I would definitely run this course again.
Kirk Stafford from Portland, Oregon (4/16/2012) "Tough But Beautiful" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Vernonia Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Don't expect to do a PR here; there's a steady climb from mile 6 to mile 14. Whew! But after I passed up the half-marathoners, I was cruising through the beautiful NW Forest on a perfect spring day. There's almost no fans, and there were no photographers. Just you, your feet, and the forest. Tough. I'll hold back next year at the beginning so I have juice for the latter half.
R. L. from Eugene, Oregon (4/12/2011) "Will run this one again" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Vernonia Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Beautiful, rural course over 20-plus miles of bike trails through woodlands in remote part of NW Oregon. Few spectators, for obvious reasons, but ample aid stations, including one with a sense of humor, offering bite-sized servings of Spam, Twinkies, Jello and M&Ms.



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S. R. from Seattle, WA (4/17/2019) "Fun, Small Race" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Vernonia Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Ran ORCC Vernonia Marathon this past Sunday 4/14, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this race. Despite being small, only a couple hundred competitors, it was well organized and the course was easy to follow, well marked, and pretty quick. The weather looked like it might give us trouble, but after a little light rain at the start, it was cool, cloudy, and dry the rest of the way and made for a fast day overall. The aid stations were adequate, and crowd support was sparse, limited to just the trailheads along the river trail, but if you're looking to get away from the majors and other large marathons where you're dodging thousands of people, Vernonia might be a great option. Definitely one of my favorite smaller marathons ever.
J. S. from Minnesota (4/14/2016) "Wonderful small race" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Vernonia Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 What a lovely race! Small field (appx 200), run almost completely on a paved trail through the woods. Beautiful scenery. Perfect weather. Buses to the start with plenty of amenities, hot coffee, and a bag drop. Favorable elevation profile, especially considering the hilly area. A steep downhill and then uphill right at the half, but almost the entire second half of the race is flat or gradual downhill. Minimal spectators, but no matter. Trailheads made it easy for those who wanted to spectate to do so. Excellent aid stations that were fully stocked with water, gatorade, snacks, and Gu. Finish at the high school track with hot soup and a raffle for homemade pies. Excellent race organization. If I hadn't traveled halfway across the country, I would definitely be running this again!
S. C. from Eugene Oregon (4/13/2016) "Gorgeous Rails-To-Trails Course" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 3 Vernonia Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My thrid time and I still love this run. Miles 14-18, or so, are so beautiful its like you are in a wilderness. I highly recommend this for 50 Staters as your Oregon run. It really highlights our wooded beauty. This was run like clockwork. Love the finish, the hot soup, the nice medal, and the friendly runners. I'll be back!
K. S. from Portland, Oregon (4/16/2015) "Beautiful, well-organized, forest run" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Vernonia Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This is an absolutely beautiful course, going through the forest of the coastal hills, at a wonderful time of year. The organizers have made some significant improvements this year, starting the run at 8:00 and putting the half-marathon in the second half of the course. The aide stations are well-stocked and frequent. Since there are less than 150 marathoners and virtually no spectators, you may find yourself alone most of the run. But it doesn't matter; the forest is all the company you need.
R. C. from Peaks Island, Maine (4/14/2015) "Favorite Course Ever!!" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Vernonia Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I loved this race and hope to do it again. The course is scenic, safe, peaceful and mostly downhill. If you require a band every mile & lots of high fives do NOT do this marathon! With less than 150 runners in the full & only occasional spots for spectators, I had the run to myself & enjoyed every step. In spite of the remoteness, course support was fantastic with water, Gatorade, Gu & food at every station. My only quibble was food at the end where peanut butter or yogurt,easy protein, would have been appreciated. Thank you Oregon! I'll be back.
D. R. from Portland, OR (4/14/2014) "2014 was a warm race, but a good one!" (about: 2014) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Vernonia Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This race had a smaller field (about 210 runners in the full) but I'm very pleased with my experience. The aid stations were well stocked (oranges, bananas jelly beans, there was even Coke at one of them). Considering the higher than 'normal' temperatures for this time of year, I know that it can be a challenge to maintain enough water for all of the runners. I thought the course was beautiful. Miles 15-20 were a gradual downhill, which was such a great mental boost after a steep hill at 13 right after the half marathoners finished. Although there is a gradual uphill from about mile 9-13, I didn't find that too challenging. There are not tons of people cheering you on, but I thought there were just enough to keep me going. I was a little disappointed that there was no food at the end..?? There was water, but after running 26.2 miles, I would have expected something to eat afterwards. Overall, my experience was a positive one. I'd recommend this as a low key race through a pretty part of Oregon.
Kirk S. from Portland, Oregon (4/14/2014) "Springtime in the Oregon Forest - Beautiful!" (about: 2014) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Vernonia Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This is truly getting away from it all. There were just 210 marathoners this year, and the weather was clear and sunny - kinda warm by the end of the run. Miles 7 through 13 is hilly, so respect that and save your energy for the final stretch. Not many spectators since you are out in the woods, but the people out for a bike ride give you plenty of encouragement. Well-stocked aid stations. It would be best to start earlier; 9:30 is just too late, especially on a warm day like this year!!
Carl Marshall from Portland, OR (6/19/2012) "Beautiful Small Race" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Vernonia Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 The course is very beautiful as you wind your way from Banks to Vernonia. The first 6 ish miles are flat, then steady up until the half. Steep drop and ascent at the half. Then, a steady descent for the second half. I did my second fastest marathon time on this course. No fans at all since you are in secluded forest. You end on the race track through a very small gate that only one person could go through at a time. I would definitely run this course again.
Kirk Stafford from Portland, Oregon (4/16/2012) "Tough But Beautiful" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Vernonia Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Don't expect to do a PR here; there's a steady climb from mile 6 to mile 14. Whew! But after I passed up the half-marathoners, I was cruising through the beautiful NW Forest on a perfect spring day. There's almost no fans, and there were no photographers. Just you, your feet, and the forest. Tough. I'll hold back next year at the beginning so I have juice for the latter half.
R. L. from Eugene, Oregon (4/12/2011) "Will run this one again" (about: 2011) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Vernonia Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Beautiful, rural course over 20-plus miles of bike trails through woodlands in remote part of NW Oregon. Few spectators, for obvious reasons, but ample aid stations, including one with a sense of humor, offering bite-sized servings of Spam, Twinkies, Jello and M&Ms.

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Marathon Details - Vernonia Marathon