I traveled from Michigan to Oregon to run both this race and the Columbia Gorge Marathon, and was not dissapointed. I arrived early the day of the race, and check in was a breeze. They had plenty of water, fruit, and bagels in a continental breakfast style. The race was delayed by a few minutes to thank the sponsers and explain the course a little. This was not a big deal to me at all, since we chip timed. We were sent off by a 3-piece band signing 'Come Together'. Definently a little different and unique. The weather could not have been better, sunny with temps in the high 60's. No rain at all.

The course: The Columbia Gorge Marathon advertises itself as the most scenic marathon in the country, but I think this one is overall better. We ran across the McNary Dam, into the hills of Washington, and then back into Oregon, all with outstanding views. There is a small portion of the course in the docks of the Port, but this is kind of interesting too. Then we embarked on a 7 mile (one way) out and back on the Lewis and Clark Trail. The beauty was simply stunning. Every twist and turn led you to another breath-taking view. Once out of the park, we did a quick 2 mile out and back past a really cool series of formations called 'Hat Rock'. Then we headed back onto the trail. Yes, there were hills, but none were truly awful. The worst was the one at mile 23, which is a series of 'S' curves up the side of the bluff. Luckily for the slow people like me, we had a very strong wind pushing us up. It wasn't so nice when we turned into it to finish, but it helped on the hill.

Support: They had the most well stocked aid stations I've ever seen in my 11 marathons. Every one had water, gateraid, fruit, clif blocks (all unwraped and easy to grab). They were pretty evenly spaced. The course was well marked, and had people stationed at the tricky spots to tell you which way to go.

Finish: There is a long straight away at the finish that I'm not a fan of, because you can see it forever, but you seemingly never get to it. But when you did, you were greeted by the race director and had plenty of water available. A short walk took you back to the hotel and an awesome spread of potatoes (with all the toppings) and chili. It was really good and there was plenty of food.

If you want spectators, bring your own. There were none along the course except family and the volunteers. But those people did really cheer us on.

All in all, this was my favorite marathon so far. I can't say enough about the aid stations being so well stocked and friendly volunteers. I chatted with the race director for a while after I finished, and you could tell that she really cared about the runners. There were 79 of us marathoners total. Oh, the medal was very cool, as was the tech shirt.

If you are looking for an Oregon Marathon to run, I highly suggest this one!

I have done over 170 different marathons and think this is one of the most scenic courses. It has you running across a dam into another state and back over the Columbia River on a bridge with views of both states. There are plenty of well stocked aid stations and friendly volunteers. There were very few spectators but the volunteers cheer you on. I enjoyed the trail part the most. There are no roots to trip over and just a few places with loose rock that you can go around. The trail runs along the Columbia River and is an out-and-back section of the race so you get to see other runners coming from the opposite direction. The hardest part of the course for me was the hill at about mile 23. I did not think this course was as tough as some runners said. I did the Columbia Gorge Marathon the next day and thought that was MUCH tougher. The "potato" feed after the race was excellent. If you like a scenic marathon with different terrain, great volunteers, and a reasonable price, this might be the race for you. I am a slow runner and also liked the idea that there is no time limit on finishing.

Decided to run this one instead of Tri Cities so I could be home for kiddo's first Halloween.

+ Positives +
Small race
Super scenic along the Mighty Columbia River
Well organized
Temps were perfect (upper 40s to upper 50s) with some light rain
Friendly support staff
Enjoyed some of the trail running
LOVED the chili baked potato at finish

- Negatives -
Nine miles is too long on a trail that keeps you concerned about slipping on loose gravel, and tripping over rocks or soft sand. Parts of the trail were great but I was glad to return to the street.

As long as you can handle running miles completely solo (no crowd or other runners in sight), I'd recommend this race - and I may run it again. I do enjoy the small races more. This is TINY - 65 people finished the full.

I trained very hard for another full marathon two weeks prior to this and had a miserable encounter with the dreaded "wall" - that last marathon was such a disappointment that I wanted to do another and have it feel correct again. I decided on Columbia River Power Marathon in Umatilla. When I lined up I felt good for the half marathon but didn't feel like tackling the entire 26, so I didn't. I enjoyed the half and felt good all morning. This one felt right and all is well again.

The course was interesting - a run across a dam, five miles in Washington, then back over a bridge to Oregon. The cool aspect was that the course went right through some industrial-type areas - by grain elevators and stacked logs at a mill. True Umatilla working-class areas - but also a trail alongside the Columbia River. Nice!

What impressed me most was that for a small race (about 80 marathoners and 150 half marathoners) there were so many volunteers. And I disagree with the reviewer who said the course was poorly marked - they had painted rocks along the roadside for the entire course (I ran the half), and every time there was a turn there were people there directing the runners as to which way to go. Hat's off to the race organizers for this one.

No water at the finish line, and no one cared I was finishing the run; I had to ask if someone wanted my tag off of my number and if I could have a blanket. If it had not been for some nice lady with a blue apron on I would have gone straight to one of the race people and tell them what I thought. But this lady was so wonderful - she got me something to drink and a nice, hot potato.

Still, I will not be back: NO mile markers (again), no bathrooms (again), and I got a crappy t-shirt and a cheap medal. Then, to make it worse, I checked my time today online and it was 7 minutes off.

I have never been treated like this before; the worst part is that I cannot blame anyone but myself because I paid for it. I will not be back and I will not recommend it to anyone.

We ran the half. The course was beautiful and very fair. Running over the dam was cool and there was plenty of time by the Columbia. It probably could have been marked better, but overall I was impressed.

This course had everything to challenge an average runner as myself: hills, loose rocks, sun, wind, road, etc. - and I trained on trails, hills, and highways. It was certainly unique and fun to run across McNary Dam and in two states. The only downside was that the loose rock on the riverside trail forced me to watch my every step, stopping me from looking up and out at the incredible high desert beauty all around.

The route lacked some marking, and luckily a runner behind yelled to let me know that I missed a turn and I backtracked only a short few paces. Other runners did miss the turn.

I would also ask for full-calorie liquids (i.e., PowerAde) at the stations, along with water. The mineral drinks were almost zero-calorie, which is fine if you're dieting, but not for running.

The spectators, though few, cheered as though they were many! Kudos to them and their energy! Generally not liking the crowds of larger races, I specifically chose this event for the peaceful, quiet, low-key smallness, and was not disappointed.

Halfway into it, I realized it wasn't about time, but rather about the experience instead. Even so, my time was still within seconds of my flat-course marathon time, so I am happy with my effort and the experience.

If you run this, stay at the Desert River Inn. The race starts right in front of the hotel. As for the race itself, this is a very small (65 marathoners) race that has a variety of terrain, hills and scenery, and the aid stations are very well run. Running over the dam was exciting, and re-crossing the Columbia River on an interstate bridge was interesting (but very safe). Don't worry much about running on the shoulder of a highway - the shoulder is wide and there really isn't much traffic. I thought it amusing that the course description they sent out out a couple days ahead of time managed to give a complete description without using the word "uphill" to describe any part of the course. I only gave spectators three stars because there weren't any, due to the location of the race.

Positives: breakfast served before the race, and chili afterward; live music; scenic course; the dam.

Room for improvement: put someone on the course where the marathoners and halfers split up. It was a bit confusing. Make the website easier to navigate; it took quite a bit of looking to find things. For example, the "registration" page had info about the race that could have been put elsewhere.

Overall: good effort; good race.

This run is one of the few in eastern Washington/Oregon, and as I love the Columbia and the High Desert, I want to love this run. Thanks for: the course across McNary Dam, which is powerful - especially at dawn; the early start option; the Lewis and Clark Trail segment; the fun finish party (and great potatoes). But: it was worse than poorly marked, some of the aid station folks seemed uninterested, and the section advertised as "desert solitude" was along the shoulder of the main artery between eastern Washington and the West Side. Not... Mark the run better, and route us off of Highway 730, and this will be a special run.

Awesome views, well organized. Needed more runners on the full. Ran alone for most of the race, which was a first for me. Glad I had an iPod. :) Would do this race again.