Race Preview: Great Columbia Crossing 10K (Astoria)

Oh man, if I weren’t busy on Sundays in the fall, the Great Columbia Crossing is a race that I would definitely want to run. Held this year on October 13, it takes you from Washington to Oregon via the Astoria-Megler Bridge, which is the massive bridge that crosses the Columbia River — hence the name of this race.

This race is such a big deal that the Oregon Department of Transportation actually shuts the bridge to vehicle traffic for the morning of the race!

Registration is $40 and gets you parking in Astoria, a shuttle ride to the starting point in Washington, bib with timing chip, water and snacks at the finish line, and $5 in “clam bucks” that can be used in participating local Astoria businesses.

(If you’re looking for a place to spend the night and Astoria is sold out, you might try nearby Ilwaco. I reviewed the SALT Hotel & Pub a couple of years ago.)

 

Great Columbia Crossing 10K

When: October 13, 2019, at 8:45 a.m. [Note: there are strict schedules for the shuttle buses from Astoria and Chinook, so you will need to be ready to get on the buses much earlier than 8:45.]

Where: Buses depart from the Port of Astoria (OR) or the Port of Chinook (WA) for the starting line

Register: Online here ($40 for 10K race) [Note: NO day of race registration]

Pre-race packet pickup: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (Oct. 10-12) from 9 am to 6 pm at the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce, 111 West Marine Drive, Astoria; and Sunday (Oct. 13) from 6 am to 7 am at the Port of Astoria.