It’s always fun when a new race pops up on the calendar—especially when it’s in a city like Salem that’s been quietly turning into a running hotspot. Sure, Portland runners have no shortage of weekend race options. But it’s the smaller and mid-sized cities where new races feel a bit more special. And in the case of the inaugural Cherry City Half Marathon, 10K, & 5K, it’s clear the organizers are off to a strong start.
If you haven’t been to Salem recently, you might be surprised. Downtown’s food, drink, and small business scene is growing, and if you’ve ever raced the Oregon Ironman 70.3, you already know this city can play host to some seriously scenic racing. This September, the Cherry City Half Marathon is stepping into that spotlight, and they’ve designed a race experience that celebrates what Salem does best.
The Course
If you’re local, you’ve likely logged some miles through Riverfront Park and Minto-Brown Island Park. But if not—consider this your official invite. This is one of the most runnable and underrated green spaces in the entire state. We’re talking miles of interconnected paved paths, surrounded by trees, open fields, and river views.
The course starts and finishes at Riverfront Park (where you’ll find Salem’s iconic pedestrian bridge and the big spinning globe), does a quick loop through West Salem, then heads into the heart of Minto-Brown. It sticks to paved sections—great for speed—and keeps things relatively flat and fast. Bonus: no cars, no chaos, just clean air and clean lines.
Post-Race Vibes
Riverfront Park is already a pretty ideal place to wrap up a race, and organizers are leaning into that. Post-race festivities will include food trucks, live music, and a complimentary beer or wine pour for finishers. Did we mention we’re just a stone’s throw from Oregon Wine Country?
That connection to wine shows up in a fun way with packet pickup, too. If you grab your bib on Friday, you’ll do so at Willamette Valley Vineyards—one of Oregon’s most popular wineries. Your pickup comes with a wine flight, making the drive totally worth it even if you live out of town.
Event Schedule
- 8:00am – Half Marathon
- 8:15am – 10K
- 8:30am – 5K
- 10:30am – Kids Run
All events include a race shirt, and finishers will score a unique medal to commemorate this first edition.
With a fast course, a legit vibe, and a whole lot of local charm, the Cherry City Half Marathon looks poised to become a new Oregon classic. Whether you’re gunning for a PR or just looking for an excuse to explore Salem’s running scene, this is one to put on your September race calendar.
