Gorge Waterfalls

Gorge Waterfalls

Gorge Waterfalls

( 4 reviews )
100% of reviewers recommend this race
  • Cascade Locks,
    Oregon,
    United States
  • March
  • 50K, 100K
  • Trail Race
  • Event Website

Tim Murphy

Portland, Oregon, United States
275 54
2016
"Scenery, support, and amazing post-race. So much fun!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Tim Murphy's thoughts:

This was an absolutely gorgeous race and the organizers did a great job putting on the event. They also have a 100K distance that takes place the weekend before, which I think is a really good idea. The trail is just not very wide, so separating the two races makes a lot of sense.

First - the good, because there's a lot more of it than bad. This race is a lottery entry, and the whole sign-up process was very straightforward. I know one of my friends who was selected but got hurt was able to cancel or defer his race for a small fee, so it's really nice they provide that option.

Communication leading up to race day was very clear, which was really important because all runners had to check in at the finish line and then get bussed to the start. Like I said, really clear, comprehensive info for runners and spectators, so everything went off without a hitch.

Once the race got underway, it was nothing but stunning scenery, challenging hills and very technical (rocky) terrain. Make no mistake, this course is extremely rocky, and just running dirt trails to prepare is not enough. You need to make sure your ankles are used to running for a long period of time on very unstable footing. I was lucky enough to live close to the Gorge so was able to train on the actual course a few times, and I'm really glad I did. No way my ankles/calves would have held up otherwise.

Aid stations were great. Raucous crowds at the first two (which were the only places spectators were allowed other than the start and finish), and the third was quieter because no spectators but lots of food/fuel and really helpful volunteers. I was actually the first runner to come into aid station 1 and 2, and there were some elite pro runners in the field behind me so I think everyone was, um, confused to see me first :). But they showed their confusion by cheering like crazy which was amazing!

Finish party was pretty much a 10. Large camp ground at the base of the Gorge bluffs, surrounded by incredible scenery, TONS of food - fresh made brick oven pizzas, made on site (throwing the dough and everything =D), sandwiches, veggie snacks, PIE (omg so much pie) and anything you could want to drink, including two kegs from a local brewery. They also had an awesome local bluegrass band, which really added to the atmosphere. This was a minimal waste race, so there were no cups at the aid stations or post party, which I appreciated. It's really not hard for people to bring their own cups.

Temps were amazing - about 50/55 at the start, 65/70 at the end, and a good amount of cover on course so I never got all that hot. I sweat and drank a lot more water than planned, but was never at risk of over-heating.

Race director high-fiving everyone who came across the line which is always a cool touch. I think there were about 350 people who registered for the race.

There wasn't a t-shirt or medal, because they put those costs into the post race party which I actually really like. I'd go with a bigger post-race set up than just getting another shirt, so I counted post-race and aid-stations - which were so good - as the SWAG.

I did have a few areas of criticism. First - I thought the marking on the course was too thin/infrequent. They did a great job of marking intersections, but as with a lot of other trail races, I don't think they did a great job of adding "reassuring" markers. Meaning, let me know I'm on the right path, not just went to turn right or left. At the beginning the RD said "if you haven't seen a marker in a mile or two, you should turn around." A mile or two is too big of a gap. It's just really tough to run hard when you are constantly second guessing whether or not you're on the right trail. I went off course for a little while, not because an intersection was poorly marked (see below), but it doesn't help that there's no way to know you're on the wrong course if the right course doesn't have frequent reassuring markers. It's a horrible feeling to think you're off course and I got it a lot during this race. I talked to at least two other runners who said the same thing.

The reason I went off course has to do with my biggest peeve about the race - the crowds. The Gorge/waterfalls tourists and hikers made this a very crowded race. And the hikers have no idea they are in your way or that a race is even happening. So there's a lot of crowding and confusion, which can lead to altercations very easily (i.e. runners mad that idiot hikers don't have their dogs on a leash, for example). The RD mentioned an "interaction" between a runner and hiker during the 100K race, and I'm not surprised. The reason I think went off-course is because there were so many hikers coming up the hill, going down the hill, and stopped to let others pass, that I think they blocked my marker and I went left instead of right. To say this was frustrating would be quite an understatement.

Ultimately - this race is definitely worth doing. Scenery is simply phenomenal, it's very challenging, and a very well-organized race. 95% of what the race can control, they do a great job with (they can't help it that hikers/tourists crowd the course). Just would like to see more marking ribbon on course.

My Race
I went into this race knowing there'd be a stacked field with some really fast runners. I went out with the lead group and kind of followed them for the first 8 miles. Then I moved to the front and basically tried to make a big move - the other two leaders are both professional runners, one of them absolutely world class (two time Leadville winner, etc) - and I thought maybe I could get and stay away. So I led from mile 8 to 18, but after the 2nd aid station those guys showed what they were made of, took the lead on the road, and I never saw them again. Maybe I could have finished close to the 2nd place guy if I hadn't gone off course, but what can you do.

I ended up with 3rd place, and my main goal throughout training was to podium, so that felt really good. It was really fun to run with insanely talented guys like that on an absolutely beautiful course. And the top three finishers got free growlers! Overall, a fantastic day.

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