Vernonia Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay

Location: Banks High School, Banks, OR

Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026

Time: Start times: Marathon 8:00 am; Half Marathon 9:00 am; Marathon Relay 8:00 am

Imagine running a beautiful, tree-lined course along the 21-mile Banks-Vernonia State Trail. All events feature a gentle 7-mile, 400-foot downhill into Banks. The marathon, a Boston Marathon qualifier, is run on a point-to-point course, with 23 miles closed to vehicular traffic. The marathon and marathon relay start in Vernonia. The half marathon starts in Stub Stewart State Park.

Courses

The courses are point-to-point. Buses will be available to transport runners/walkers to the start line (read more on RunSignUp).

Marathon – The marathon starts at Cedar Ridge Retreat Center in Vernonia, goes around Vernonia lake, proceeds onto the entire Banks-Vernonia State Trail, and finishes at Banks High School on the track.
- The Vernonia Marathon course is USATF certified, thus can be used to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
- View certificate #OR16003LB.
Half Marathon – 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.
- The Vernonia Half Marathon course is USATF certified.
- View certificate #OR18011LB.
Marathon Relay – The 4 person relay uses the same course as the marathon, divided into 4 legs. The legs aren’t equal because of trailhead parking logistics. Your team will have 7 hours to complete the relay.

You can also Download the Banks Vernonia trail map (PDF).

Registration

Please sign up on RunSignUp. Our various volunteer shifts are also posted on RunSignUp. Volunteers are welcome and most appreciated (and will receive a coupon code for $50 off a future ORRC event). Learn more about volunteering for ORRC.