Relay races are a fantastic way to spend time with friends, make memories, and stay active. The Three Capes Relay has been a favorite among the Run Oregon team for years, with many of us—including myself—taking part. With so many relays to choose from, this one consistently stands out. Between the course, the distances, and the breathtaking scenery, it’s easy to see why I always recommend it.
The 2026 race is coming up on February 28th – and there is still time to register!
One-day relays aren’t as common as they used to be—but that doesn’t make them any less awesome. Many relays, even single-day events, can take an entire day or even a full weekend to complete. Those are great, but the Three Capes Relay keeps things accessible at just 26.2 miles, meaning you really only need to commit a half-day.
The course features over 2,400 feet of elevation gain while starting and finishing at sea level. Participants can run solo or as part of a team of up to five. With five legs spread across six state parks, two wildlife refuges, and several other parks, the scenery is breathtaking—and it’s sure to make the miles fly by.
Course:
Leg #1:
This leg starts adjacent to Cape Meares Lake. Leg #1 is 4.47 miles long and rated as very difficult. While you will enjoy views of Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge, Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge, and Cape Meares Lighthouse State Park, you will also be climbing a 6% grade right from the start. You’ll run back down to almost sea level, but not before you make a few more climbs along the way.
Leg #2:
This leg is 5.44 miles and rated as difficult. Runners will start in Oceanside and enjoy (or endure) rolling hills with views of the Pacific Ocean past Oceanside, Happy Camp, and Netarts Bay. The difficult rating of this leg is due to 2 category 5 climbs along the way.
Leg #3:
This 5.02 mile leg is rated extremely difficult. Starting at scenic Netarts Bay, Leg #3 is mostly flat for about 2.5 miles. And then the 800 foot 6.5% grade climb begins. All that climbing will be worth it when you reach the summit of Cape Lookout State Park – which is also the end of this leg.
Leg #4:
This is the longest leg of the relay at 6.82 miles, but is rated as moderate. Starting at the summit of Cape Lookout State Park, downhill lovers will enjoy the negative drop of over 600 feet. This leg will run through the dunes of Sand Lake and finish at the Whalen County Park.
Leg #5:
The final leg of this relay is rated as easy and is the shortest at just 4.45 miles. It is relatively flat with just a 167-foot climb. Starting at Whalen County Park, this leg will run to Web County Park – just before Pacific City and the famed Cape Kiwanda. Head over there to find the perfect location for some great finish photos with the whole team.
Having run the Three Capes Relay multiple times, here’s what we love most about it:
- Great race direction and a welcoming local vibe
- A unique location and one-of-a-kind race experience
- The chance to run with friends—and make new ones along the way
- Challenging, yet incredibly rewarding legs
- Stunning views (weather permitting—Oregon Coast can be unpredictable!)
The beauty alone from this course is reason enough to sign up for this great race. Come join fellow runners on this one-day relay at the coast.
A solo registration is $95, a two-person team is $165, and a five-person team is $339. If you have three or four people, you just sign up as a five-person team and work out who runs what.