FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For the most part yes. It starts at about 60 feet above sea level, does 2.8 miles at about that level with short rises and falls through a residential neighborhood then drops quickly to sea level and runs along the bay the rest of the way. There is a short steep hill (about 40 feet) at mile 4 but other than that, it's essentially flat to the finish.
We work very hard to provide a quality marathon experience to all our participants, not just "front of the packers". In order to do this we need to know how many marathoners we're dealing with. Limiting entries also keeps the race intimate and the course fun.
Generally, yes. We have sold out as early as February so it's not a good idea to wait until the last minute to register. When the race is full we will post that information on the homepage so check back for updates.
Yes. Registration is online only.
You can confirm your entry here.
We are offering both men's and women's small through x-large. Register before May 1st to receive a shirt. Shirts are picked up after the race.
The Oregon Coast is known for its unpredictable weather but early June is generally cool (50° - 60°). Hot days are unlikely as are significant storms.
About a mile. The race starts at Yaquina Bay State Park west of Highway 101 at the mouth of the Bay and finishes in the parking lot of our supporting sponsor, the Oregon Coast Bank. (Across the street from the Embarcadero Resort Hotel.)
The Half Marathon starts 8:00 am at the same start line as the Marathon. The turnaround point for the Half Marathon is at mile 8.7, then to the same finish line as the Marathon.
No. Crashing the finish of the Half Marathon Course is unfair to the runners who registered for the event.
Yes, the full marathon course is certified and sanctioned by the USATF, # OR21001LB, and therefore is a Boston Marathon qualifier. (This is NOT an Olympic certified course.) (The half marathon course is not certified.)
Sorry, no.
It really is. Almost half of our finishers record P.R.'s.
Yes, it is. Herb Phillips of Burnaby B.C., Canada ran a 2:47:28 in 2004 breaking the single age World Record for 63 year old males of 2:48:11 set by Clive Davies in 1979. Told you the course was fast! Way to go Herb!
About every two miles. Each one has portable toilet facilities, water, Gatorade, band aids and Vaseline.
Runners are encouraged to bring the food they train with. One aid station will have bananas and oranges.
Our aid stations are sponsored by business and community groups and are staffed by enthusiastic, supportive people. Marathoners love our aid crews.
You bet! At mile 11 and 19 Oregon Oyster Farms offers world famous Yaquina Bay Oyster "shooters" for all race participants. The 2007 record of 48 oysters eaten has been broken during the 2009 marathon. A runner managed to slurp down 80 slippery oysters to create a new course "oyster eating" record.
In our first year (1999) we had 318 registered participants. In 2000, that number climbed to 600. In 2001 there were 650, 700 in 2002 and over 750 each year after that until 2014 when we added the half marathon. Our cap for the marathon is now 500 and for the half marathon it is 700. We've had entries from all 50 states as well as lots of runners from Canada, Europe and Central America.
You can drive, walk or take a shuttle bus. If you drive you may not park within the borders of the Park itself. Its drop-off only. Shuttle buses will run from Race Headquarters (adjacent to the finish area) starting at about 5:30 AM until about 6:40 AM. Check the map in your packet or here for Bus Route details.
There is also a shuttle that will bring you back to your hotel after the race that picks up in front of the Yacht Club.
We would need another web page to list it all. Take a look at www.DiscoverNewport.com for more resourceful information on Newport. The Newport area is a tremendous place to spend some time. There's lots to do for families and adults as well. Contact the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-COAST44 for information specific to your needs.
You bet. We give away lots of prizes and trophies. Age and gender winners who cannot attend may pick up their award early with the presentation (and verification) of their personalized result print out. Half Marathon Awards are at 11:00 at the Yaquina Bay Yacht Club, and the full marathon awards are at 1:30.
We do not plan an expo for the race. We do make space available at packet pick-up for our sponsors to promote/sell their products and services. There is also lots of great marathon merchandise available there at very reasonable prices.
Caring and concerned volunteers, lots of food, as well as beer and great clam chowder for finishers. There may even be a few surprizes. We get lots of compliments on our finish area. We do not allow spectators and non-participants in the recovery area.
We start the race promptly at 7:00am (Walkers - 6:00am) (Half Marathoners - 8:00 am) and day-of-race registration and number pick-up means more volunteers, very early registration times, and many headaches. It's just not feasible.