Back and Better: Cottage Grove Half & 10K Hits the Pavement Again

After a few years on hiatus due to COVID, as well as construction and modifications on the famed Row River Trail, the Cottage Grove Half Marathon and 10k are back! Three years later, the county culvert repair is finally complete, and Oregon Trail Runs is hard at work planning a great race day on one of the fastest routes around.

The 10k is a simple out-and-back course from downtown Cottage Grove, but the true highlight of the event is the point-to-point half marathon. This one-way, gradual downhill course follows the scenic Row River Trail, skirting Dorena Lake and rolling through the green hills before finishing in downtown Cottage Grove.

It’s a route that delivers speed, scenery, and a memorable race experience. I’ve logged a few miles on the Row River Trail myself—unknowingly starting right at the race’s finish line before heading east—and I recommend it to anyone looking for a great run.

For those unfamiliar, the Row River Trail is a 15.6-mile paved multi-use National Recreation Trail that follows the path of the abandoned Oregon Pacific & Eastern Railroad. It runs alongside the Row (rhymes with ‘cow’) River and Dorena Reservoir, offering stunning views and easy running.

The area is rich in history, featuring nearby covered bridges and the remnants of the late 1800s Bohemia Mining Area. If you’ve ever watched ‘Stand By Me’ with River Phoenix, ‘Emperor of the North’ with Ernest Borgnine, or the silent classic ‘The General’ with Buster Keaton, you’ve already seen parts of this picturesque trail on screen.

The Cottage Grove Half has long been a favorite among those who make the trip to run it. Unless you live near Eugene, it’s a bit of a journey—but it’s well worth it. It’s beautiful, and has always been a well-organized event with that special small-town charm.

Help bring this amazing local race back in full force this year—register now and be part of its return!