If you were going to pick a part of Oregon that feels like Oregon, Southern Oregon would have to be pretty high on the list. I love Central Oregon and the Willamette Valley as much as the next runner, but there’s something about the Rogue Valley that feels a little different. The mountains, the trees, the vineyards, the small towns and that crisp fall air all make for a pretty great place to spend a weekend.
And if you want to combine that with a race, the Rogue Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K is a pretty easy sell.
The 13th annual Rogue Marathon takes place Saturday, October 10, 2026, with a full marathon, half marathon, 10K and kids 1-mile race. The marathon and half marathon both use point-to-point courses that follow the Bear Creek Greenway toward Medford, with a net downhill profile. The full marathon starts near Ashland and finishes at the Expo in Medford, while the half starts farther down the valley in Phoenix.
The Marathon
The full marathon starts at 7:30 a.m. at Emigrant Lake County Park just south of Ashland. From there, runners make their way onto the Bear Creek Greenway before eventually finishing at the Expo in Medford.
There are porta-potties at the start, along with a drop-bag option for runners who want to ditch some warm clothing before heading out. The 2026 race information lists 11 aid stations along the marathon course, with water and electrolytes available.
The biggest thing to pay attention to on marathon morning is transportation. Shuttle buses run from the Expo to the marathon start, with the first bus leaving at 5:15 a.m. and the final bus leaving at 5:45 a.m. And when the race says the final bus leaves on time, it means it. There won’t be another ride to the start after that.
You can also drive to Emigrant Lake, but parking costs $7 and there is no transportation back to your vehicle after the race. Personally, I’d take the bus and eliminate that particular post-marathon logistical problem before the race even starts.
The Half Marathon
If 26.2 miles isn’t on your fall agenda, the half marathon starts at 8:00 a.m. at Blue Heron Park in Phoenix.
Like the marathon, the half follows the Bear Creek Greenway and heads toward the finish in Medford. It’s also a net-downhill course, so you get much of the same scenery and Southern Oregon experience without having to spend quite as much time on your feet.
There is parking at the half marathon start, although runners can also take the race shuttle from the Expo. Buses begin running at 6:30 a.m., with the final bus leaving at 7:00 a.m. Porta-potties and a bag drop will be available at the start.
The half marathon has seven aid stations, with water and electrolytes available along the course.
The 10K and Kids Mile
The 10K is new and starts at 8:00 a.m. at Bear Creek Park in Medford. It’s a nice option if you’re looking for a shorter race or have family members who want to get in on the race-day action without committing to a half or full marathon. Check out the transportation schedule for this as well.
And then there’s the Kids 1-Mile, which starts at 11:00 a.m. at the Expo finish line. The race is limited to kids under 13 and is an out-and-back, meaning the young runners start and finish in the same general area.
The Finish Line
All of the races finish at the Expo in Medford, where the race turns into a bit of a fall celebration. The event features a finisher’s party, and all finishers receive a medal and T-shirt – as well as a free beer from Common Block. The awards ceremony is scheduled for approximately 1:00 p.m.
This is also one of the things I like about races that bring several distances together. You can have one person running the marathon, another doing the half, somebody else knocking out the 10K, and the kids can get their own race in. Then everyone ends up in the same place afterward.
The Rogue Valley is especially nice in October, with fall color, cooler morning temperatures and plenty to do around Ashland, Medford and the surrounding area. Historically, race-day temperatures average around 45 degrees for the low and 65 for the high, although obviously Southern Oregon weather gets to make its own decisions.
Whether you’re looking for a Boston qualifier, a fall PR attempt, a scenic half marathon or just another excuse to spend some time in Southern Oregon, the Rogue Marathon event weekend has a little something for just about every kind of runner.
