THE COURSE
Starting in Yaquina Bay State Park at the historic "haunted" lighthouse, runners will head north along the ocean through some of Newport's picturesque neighborhoods. This loop through the city is primarily residential with a few short gentle hills and turns at street corners. Heading back through the starting area, runners will proceed downhill under the Yaquina Bay Bridge to the bayfront. Past shops, restaurants, galleries and a large fishing village, the course continues along the bay. Just past mile four, there is a short hill that rises about 40 feet then gently descends back to bay level where it continues for the remainder of the race. The course follows the Yaquina Bay and River estuary to mile 15 where it turns back toward town, retracing the same route. The gentle hill at mile four reappears at mile 26, and it's downhill from there to the finish. Along the course runners will be treated to a splendid variety of views and scenery, wildlife and shipping, fishermen and crabbers. It is a flat, very fast, and beautiful course that will produce numerous PR's. Our course is USATF certified and has proven to be a very good "first marathon" as well as an excellent qualifier for the Boston Marathon.
AID STATIONS
Enthusiastically staffed aid stations will be provided at approximately every two miles along the course. There will be water, Electrolyte Hydration drink and portable toilet facilities at each station. Additionally, fruit will be available at selected aid stations. (See FAQs for more details.) (Course Map) And don't forget the Oyster "shooters" at mile 11 and 19! Please help keep our race course clean by placing trash in receptacles at aid stations rather than on the road.