One of my favorite races in Oregon is coming up on September 15th, and because it’s a Run With Paula event, you will be well taken care of. The 2018 Bridge of the Goddess Half Marathon & 10k will offer you gorgeous views, some great swag, and an after party that’s worth sticking around for.
Last year, the original course for this race was derailed by some tragic fires that burned down much of Cascade Locks and Paula managed to pick the race up and move it to Vancouver at the last minute. I registered for this race it’s inaugural year and was really looking forward to it again last year. While I was disappointed that I couldn’t run across the Bridge of the Gods and experience the beautiful scenery I had that first year, I was incredibly impressed with how the entire last-minute emergency location change came through flawlessly. This year, there’s an alternate plan for the race if the Columbia River Trail is still closed on race day due to the fires from last year. The alternate route will take participants through the Columbia River Gorge rather than the Historic Columbia River Trail. Whichever route you end up on, the Bridge of the Gods will be included, and the views will be amazing no matter what. Check out the current course map here.
You’ll park at Marine Park in Cascade Locks and you’ll want to get there early! You’ll have to walk a ½ mile to the center of the majestic Bridge of the Gods, which will close at 7:30AM so please plan for that! It’s been suggested that you arrive by 6:45AM for the 8:00AM race start and carpooling is, of course, always encouraged.
Please note that there is a staircase on the course, so you’ll encounter stairs going out an
d coming back. The course is very well supported and safe from traffic. There will be plenty of aid stations where water and Glukos will be available. It will be hilly and challenging, but the views will more than make up for it.
The Bridge of the Goddess gear, swag, and medals are some of my personal race favorites and I do a lot of races. You’ll get a super cute technical t-shirt and a logo’d tote/backpack as well as goodies from Clif and Luna before the race. And not only will you get an awesome medal when you cross the finish line, you’ll get lunch and beer from Rogue Ales and Spirits and live music from Hit Machine. Last year, I hung out after the race longer than it took me to run it, which is not typical for me when I’m sweaty and tired. This is a great race to do with friends or loved ones and the party that follows is just as good a reason as any to register.
Participants are encouraged to dress the part of Goddesses, and there will be a costume contest where you could win a $100 gift card to Portland Running Company. Sign up now and be one of the 1500 Goddesses at the Bridge of the Gods next month!
Details:
What: 2018 Bridge of the Goddess Half Marathon & 10k
When: Saturday, September 15th, 2018 at 8:00AM
Where: The Bridge of the Gods, Cascade Locks, OR. Please plan to park at Marine Park at 6:45AM. (This may change to the Washington side of the Columbia River if the trail is not open by race date. It will still be scenic and will include the Bridge of the Gods either way.)
Register: Here
Registration Cost: $89. Day of race registration is $99 and shirts not guaranteed race day.
Packet Pick-Up: Sept 13th from 10:00AM-7:00PM at Portland Running Company’s Beaverton location, Sept 14th from 10:00AM-3:00PM at Portland Running Company’s Eastside Downtown location, or race day from 6:30AM-7:45AM at Toll House Park at the foot of the Bridge of the Gods.
