Come to Salem on Sunday, September 13th for the 2026 Cherry City Half Marathon, 10k, and 5k! This will be a fun Fall event and y’all can celebrate your finish with music, awards, and award-winning Oregon wines and craft beer at the end!
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 back into that spotlight, and they’ve designed a race experience that celebrates what Salem does best.
The 2026 race is already ahead of schedule and hoping to reach over 1000 participants this year! Use Code RUNOR for 10% off!
Check out our recap of the 2025 event here!
The Course
Whether you’ve run these paths dozens of times or have never set foot in Salem, the Cherry City Half Marathon offers one of the most enjoyable urban running routes in Oregon. Riverfront Park and Minto-Brown Island Park combine for miles of smooth paved trails that wind through towering trees, wide open spaces, and scenic stretches along the Willamette River.
The race begins and ends at Riverfront Park, home to Salem’s iconic pedestrian bridge and colorful Riverfront Carousel area, before making a brief tour through West Salem and settling into the expansive trail network of Minto-Brown.
The course stays almost entirely on paved paths, making it an excellent option for runners chasing a personal best or simply looking for a relaxed, scenic morning on foot. With minimal elevation change and no vehicle traffic to worry about, it’s a course that’s easy to settle into.
Post-Race Vibes
Crossing the finish line is just the beginning of the celebration. Riverfront Park provides the perfect backdrop for a finish festival featuring local food trucks, live music, and a complimentary beer or wine for participants. It’s a laid-back atmosphere that encourages runners to stick around, cheer on friends, and enjoy one of Salem’s best public spaces.
The event’s Willamette Valley roots are also reflected in packet pickup. Friday pickup once again takes place at Willamette Valley Vineyards, giving participants the opportunity to collect their race materials while enjoying a wine flight at one of Oregon’s premier wineries. It’s a fitting way to kick off race weekend.
Event Schedule
- 8:00am – Half Marathon
- 8:105am – 10K
- 8:10am – 5K
- 10:30am – Kids Run
Every participant receives a race shirt, and finishers will take home a custom finisher medal to remember the day.
With its fast, approachable course, welcoming race atmosphere, and showcase of some of Salem’s best parks, the Cherry City Half Marathon continues to establish itself as one of Oregon’s premier fall races. This is one race that deserves a spot on your September calendar.
2026 Cherry City Half Marathon/10k/5k $25-$115
Details:
- When: Sunday, September 13th, 2026
- Where: Riverfront Park (200 Water St NE, Salem)
- Packet Pick-Up:
- Friday September 11th from 4:00 to 8:00PM at Willamette Valley Vineyards Salem Hills Tasting Room (8800 Enchanted Way SE Turner, OR 97392)
- Saturday September 12th from 1:00 to 5:00PM at Gallagher Fitness Resources (135 Commercial St NE, Salem, OR 97301)
- Race day from 6:00 to 7:45AM at Riverfront Park