My relationship with the Cascade Half Marathon goes back more than a decade, and the race has never failed to leave a mark. In 2013, I limped through below-freezing temps and still walked away grinning. The next year brought the same chill but clearer skies—and a sense that I was returning to running with purpose.
Since then, Cascade has thrown just about everything at runners. In 2019, it was a steady drizzle; in 2020, it felt like mid-March with blue skies and temps in the 50s. I ran this again last year and it was dry with some blue skies but, man was it chilly. No two years have looked quite the same, and maybe that’s part of why this race continues to charm. It’s a dependable January tradition wrapped in unpredictable Oregon weather.
What hasn’t changed is the energy. Cascade threads that needle between “big enough to feel exciting” and “small enough to feel personal.” Participation has hovered from the 300s to the 500s, but the vibe has stayed rooted in its small-town warmth. After returning from a small break 2023, the race continues to build momentum—and the 2026 edition is set for Sunday, January 18, 2026.
The Course: Quiet Miles, Open Country
Start and finish lines sit at Cascade Junior High School, and the route unfolds along rural, paved roads with an out-and-back simplicity that makes it easy to settle into a rhythm. Wide-open farmland, gentle bends, long straights—this is the kind of course where your mind can relax even while your legs get to work.
Runners can choose the half marathon, a 10K, or a 2-miler. All distances share the calm first stretch before branching into their respective turnarounds. For half marathoners, aid stations at roughly miles 2 and 5 greet you on the way out—and again around miles 8 and 11 as you return. Portable toilets are typically placed along the course as well.
Warmth, Comfort, and Post-Race Rewards
January in Oregon loves to keep runners guessing, but Cascade Junior High provides a dependable shelter. Locker rooms for all participants make it easy to change, warm up, or rinse off before heading back into the day. And the post-race treats are as much a part of the tradition as the miles themselves: hot soup, fresh-baked cookies, and I-Jive Coffee waiting at the finish.
A Decorated Local Favorite
Cascade has the hardware to back its reputation—it was voted Run Oregon readers’ Best Road Half Marathon of 2012—and it continues to feel like an essential winter race for runners across the region. There just aren’t that many half marathons in January in Oregon – so this one fits that bill nicely!
Key Dates and Registration
Registration is open, and early birds should take note: signing up before December 15 locks in the $45 entry fee before it bumps up. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to jumpstart your 2026 running season, this is one of the most reliable (and community-rich) ways to do it.
