Race Preview: 2024 Gorge Waterfall 30k/50k/100k

Beautiful race alert! Any race with the word “waterfalls” in the title is guaranteed to be scenic, and the 2024 Gorge Waterfalls 30k/50k/100k will absolutely be worth the drive out to Cascade Locks.

This race will be held on the weekend of April 12th thru the 14th depending on the race distance. Unfortunately, the race is currently sold out, but now is a good time to put this race on your radar for next year!

The Gorge Waterfalls (presented by Speedland) is brought to us by Freetrail and Daybreak Racing, and their races are always stunning. This one offers views of the iconic Columbia River Gorge and some epic trail running.

Make a fun weekend of this event and consider camping! Tent camping is available at Thunder Island at Marine Park, first come first serve. There’s also Marine Park Campground at the west end of the park, or multiple hotel options in Cascade Locks and Hood River.

All race participants are welcome to come to the social hour at Gorges Beer in Cascade Locks on Thursday, April 11th from 5:30PM to 7:00PM where they can grab their race bibs and get a tasty beverage at the same time.

The 30k race kicks off the weekend of running on Friday April 12th at 10:00AM for wave 1, with subsequent waves taking off every 5 minutes after. Runners will need to make sure they arrive at Marine Park for the shuttle bus to the start, which leaves at 9:15AM. There is a 6 hour cutoff time for the 30k. Also on Friday afternoon, 100k and 50k participants can pick up bibs from 3:00PM to 6:00PM at the sponsor village and hang out at the finish line area. There’s also going to be a speaker panel with some of the top trail runners there from 6:00PM to 7:00PM.

Saturday April 13th is the 100k which starts bright and early at 5:00AM. There are no wave starts for this event, so all runners will take off together. There is an 18 hour cutoff for this race. Additionally, 50k runners can pick up their bibs Saturday at the finish line area from 2:00PM to 8:00PM.

Last but certainly not least, the 50k race will take place on Sunday, April 14th. The shuttle buses will leave Marine Park for the start line at 7:15AM and the race starts at Wahkeena Day Use Area at 8:00AM for the 1st wave, with waves departing every 5 minutes after. This race has a 9 hour cutoff time.

Please plan on parking at Marine Park in areas surrounding the Pavilion. There is a $10 daily parking fee, which goes toward maintenance of Marine Park. There is additional parking curbside on Wa Na Pa Street, the main road through Cascade Locks. There is a 12’ clearance limit under the railroad trestle at the entrance to Marine Park, so exceptionally tall vehicles should plan on parking on Wa Na Pa Street.

There will be a post race celebration at the Marine Park Pavilion. All participants will receive a voucher/ticket for food and beverages. Family and friends are also welcome but should bring their own food/drinks. All participants will receive a finishers medal, and there will be a raffle for some amazing sponsor swag. The top 3 women and men will also receive a custom award and there’s a significant prize purse.