Bucket List Race: The Bridge of the Gods Half Marathon (Cascade Locks)

As far as bucket list races go, the Bridge of the Gods Run is one that has adorned many. This race is on the first weekend of August this year, and the location, as you may have surmised from the title, is stunning. Cascade Locks is a gorgeous place to run and starting on the Bridge of the Gods is invigorating.

Last year, this race celebrated it’s 10th year, and this year they are celebrating the event by making it an entire festival weekend. Brand new this year on Saturday August 2nd is the Twilight 5k Run which begins at 6:30PM. This race will take advantage of the gorgeous views at the golden hour of sunset.

The Thunder Island Music Festival will also occur that evening from 6:00PM to 8:30PM with live music, food trucks, and a full-service beer garden sponsored by Thunder Island Brewing and Gorge Beers.

The following day, Sunday August 3rd, there will be the traditional Half Marathon and 10k events, as well as a Kid’s Community 1k that is free to any child 12 and under. The half begins first at 8:00AM, starting across the epic Bridge of the Gods and traveling along the paved historic Columbia River Highway State Park trail before turning at Moffett Creek.

There is a generous cut off time (5 hours) so you shouldn’t feel any pressure to get to the finish in a hurry and there will be lots of time to take pics of the views. The 10k starts a half hour later at 8:30AM following a similar course with those views of the Columbia River and the Cascades among the old-growth forest.

Included with your registration fee are a cool t-shirt, a gear check bag, a custom finisher’s medal and a lunch provided by Spin Catering after the race. Sign up now, as this race tends to sell out!