Jump off Joe Marathon

The Jump off Joe marathon, half marathon, and 10k races will be held on gravel roads on, and around, Jump off Joe Mountain.  The half and full marathon will reach the summit of the mountain where you can enjoy beautiful views looking over the Tri-Cities and also down into Oregon.

All three distances will share the same start/finish line near the intersection of Owens Road and Hwy 397.  The course will be marked with signage, flagging tape, and/or flour arrows.  This is not a certified course, but multiple measurement methods were used to try and get it as close as possible.  As such, your distance and elevation may vary slightly from what is shown.  This is not a flat course, so be prepared for some hills.  Stay strong on the climbs as the views are worth the effort and the downhills can be a blast.

Attention Marathon Maniacs and Half-Fanatics!!  If the marathon has at least 15 starters and 14 finishers it will count towards your Marathon Maniacs tally.  If the half marathon has at least 20 starters and 19 finishers it’ll count towards your Half-Fanatic count.  Note that these numbers include early and normal start time participants (e.g. 9 early starters + 13 normal starters = 22 starters).

Schedule

7:00 AM normal start    /      6:00 AM early start *    /      4:00 PM (-ish) late start **

All three of the races will start at 7:00 AM.  Please be there by 6:30 AM to get a good parking spot, get checked in, use the port-a-potty, and to hear the pre-race briefing.  If you happen to show up late, you can still run but your official time will be based on the same starting time of everyone that began the race on time.  

* For those participants that want an earlier start, please be checked in and ready to run at 6:00 AM.  If you choose this option, please be aware that the aid stations will not be set up and you will not be eligible for overall awards.  Once the first runner from the 7am start time passes you however, the aid stations from then on should be staffed and available.  

** Late start is only available for the good folks that volunteered during the event.  Once everyone (else) has finished and headed home AND the gear is picked up, we can start.  To qualify, you must volunteer for most of the day, you must help load up the gear, you must be able to run the course self-supported, you will not be eligible for awards or course records, and you must contact me for the special registration code.  

Packet Pickup

You can pickup your race number at Runners Soul (5020 W Clearwater Ave in Kennewick) on Friday the 8th between 4pm and 7pm.  We will have course maps and can answer any questions you may have.  While you are there - feel free to peruse the shop and pickup some new running goods... just don't try anything new on race day!  You can also get your number at the check-in table on race morning at the start line. 

Course

The three races distances all share the same course, which is mainly along Owens Road starting at the intersection with Highway 397.  

The 10k is an out and back course, with an aid station at the turnaround.

The Half Marathon goes out 5 miles to a turnaround point, takes a right onto Jump off Joe Road and heads to the summit for another turnaround, then turns right onto Owen's Road.  There are 3 aid stations along the course with one being passed twice.

The Marathon goes to the end of Owens Road, turns left onto Beck Road, turns left onto Nine Canyon Road, turns right onto Kirk Road and goes out 1.5 miles to a turnaround point, retraces the route to get back onto Owen's Road, takes a right onto Jump off Joe Road and heads to the summit for another turnaround, then turns right onto Owens Road.  There are 6 aid stations along the course with two being passed twice.

Aid Stations & Finish Line

Aid stations #1 (10k, half, full) and #2 (full) will be limited service with water, gels, electrolytes, and ice.  Aid stations #3 (full) and #4 (half and full) will be full service with PB&Js, chips, fruit, water, electrolytes, pop, gels, cookies, and ice.  Remember to refill your bottles or hydration pack with water at the aid stations and get something to eat!  The next aid station could be an hour away and it could get warm later in the race.  

As in years past, there will be an optional gross food challenge... because the hills aren't hard enough at this race.  Basically, you eat a (different) gross item at various aid stations you encounter and some time will be taken off of your finish time.  Folks doing the 10k will have one item to eat (at aid station #1) and can then get 30 seconds taken off of their finish time.  Half marathoners will have two items to eat (at aid stations #1 and #4) to get 1 minute taken off.  Full marathoners will have three items to eat (at aid stations #1, #3, and #4) to get 2 minutes taken off of their time.  Think... meaty, spicy, slimy, icky, but edible.  Note that you have to ask to eat the gross food item at these aid stations - it may not be readily visible.

Awards & Prizes

A $50 cash award will be given to anyone that breaks a course record - see below for the current records.

There will be a random drawing of products and otherwise cool stuff that every participant is entered into.  When you finish, please check at the check-in table to see if you are a winner and to pick up your prize.

We also will hand out gift certificates for our favorite local running store (Runners Soul!!) to folks that display the best effort, spirit, or coolness.  You will realize you are a winner when I place a gift certificate in your hands.  

Finally, finisher awards will be provided to each participant but please don't expect a traditional medal.

Rules

1. In addition to the following, all rules posted under General Rules apply.

2. Park only along the side of Owen's Road near the start/finish area.  Do not block other vehicles, do not park on the highway, do not park in the middle of the road, and do not drive offroad or over vegetation.

3. Besides the porta potty at the start, there are NO restrooms or porta-potties on the course.  Please plan accordingly and pack some TP or baby wipes with you.  Please also be prepared to bury your business, and to pack the used TP or wipes back out.  Do not litter!  Here’s a pro-tip: A Ziploc sandwich baggie or two full of TP or baby wipes works great, AND you can use the baggie for packing it out after it’s been used.  Designate a pocket in your shorts or hydration vest for this use (Do NOT keep food in this pocket!)  There will be a garbage can at the finish you can toss it in.

4. The course is not closed, so watch for cars!  Warning signs will be posted notifying drivers that there are runners on the road, but drivers on these roads aren’t used to people on foot.  Keep an eye out and your head up.

5. Stay on the roads!!!  If you go off-road you are on private property without permission.

6. This is more like a trail run than a typical road race, therefore the aid stations are 3-5 miles apart and not every 1-2 miles like in a typical road race.  Please plan accordingly, and plan on carrying fluids! (Think hydration vest, hand-held bottles, etc.)  We will have a lot of water and ice at the aid stations.

7. The entire run is on rough gravel roads.  Wear appropriate footwear (i.e.; NO minimalist shoes, no Vibram “5-Fingers”, no racing flats, etc.)

8. You need to check in at each aid station as they will be checking your bib number off for accountability.  If you need to drop out, please let an aid station worker know 

9. No consumption of alcohol during the event (as per our permit with Benton County)

Sponsors

We want to thank the below companies for their generous support of this race.  These are great companies and you are highly encouraged to check them out.  If your company would like to provide additional sponsorship please reach out to us here.

For anyone that would like to sponsor this race, please contact us through email.  We would gladly accept items to be used as prizes, or monetary donations to assist in paying the bills and keeping the registration cost low. 

In return for any donations, your company logo will be displayed on this page and recognition will be provided to participants in email updates about the race.