Run along the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, a paved rails-to-trails course through scenic woods and fields.

The marathon starts at Cedar Ridge Retreat Center in Vernonia, goes around the lake, and proceeds onto the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, and finishes at Banks High School on the track. Most of the course runs along paved trail, through scenic woods on a former railroad bed. The course includes a gradual uphill from Miles 9 to 13 and downhill from Mile 14 to 21, where it is flat to the finish: see elevation plot. The trail crosses several roads, at which traffic control will be provided. Although the trail is closed to vehicular traffic, be cognizant that it is not closed to the two-way traffic of other runners, walkers, bicyclists, hikers and horseback riders. Therefore, always keep to the right, only two abreast, to allow passing bicyclists, runners and opposing traffic through. If marathoners are unable to reach the aid station at Crossman Road (Mile 23) by 2:30pm they will be pulled from the course.

• Coffee: Cedar Ridge Resort (Vernonia Marathon start location) will provide coffee for all full marathoners.
• Marathon Aid stations and potties: at Miles 2, 4, 7, 10, 11.5, 13, 15.5, 19, 21.5, 23, 25. There will be water, Gatorade, Gu, plus sweet and salty snacks at each aid station.
• Traffic will NOT be stopped when you are crossing Highway 47 at Tophill Trailhead (near the half marathon mark). There will be flaggers slowing traffic, but you must defer to vehicles when you are crossing the highway.

For a map of the trail, click here.
For a map of the course go to www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=494882.
This course is USATF certified, and is a Boston qualifier – click here.

The half marathon starts inside Stub Stewart State Park at Hilltop and joins the Banks-Vernonia State Trail at Mile 2, and finishes at Banks High School on the track. Most of the course runs along the paved trail, through scenic woods/fields on an abandoned railroad bed. The course is uphill for the first mile, gradual downhill until mile 7 and flat to the finish. The trail crosses several roads, but is otherwise closed to traffic; traffic control will be provided. Aid stations and potties will be provided at Miles 2, 5.5, 8,10.5, 12. There will be water, Gatorade, Gu, and sweet and salty snacks at each aid station.

This course is USATF certified (OR18010LB). Click here to view the certification document.

For a map of the trail, click here.
For a map of the course go to http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/486138268