Run the River
Marathon / Relay / Half Marathon / 5k
Kennewick, WA April 20, 2024
Overview
Come join us for the 2nd annual Run the River Marathon, starting at Columbia Park in Kennewick, WA. This road race features a scenic course that travels through the towns of Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco all while staying next to the mighty Columbia River.
This classic road marathon follows paved paths and roadways the entire time and offers participants with great views of beautifully landscaped parks, the meandering Columbia River, as well as the rugged surrounding mountains. The flat course and cool spring weather will provide runners with a prime opportunity for a fast finish time if that is their goal. Likewise, the course lends itself well to runners of all abilities as well as walkers... which tend to have the best time out there!
For those that aren't wanting the full marathon distance, there are a few other options. You can gather up some friends and do the 4-person relay option, which covers the entire marathon course, or you can do the half marathon or 5k options instead.
Spring in the Tri-Cities can bring a mix of sun, rain, and wind - it just depends on the year. Please watch the forecasts as it gets closer to race day to make sure you are prepared. Since the course makes a large loop, any wind encountered should only be for a limited time. Over the last twenty years, the temperature at start time has varied between 43°F and 62°F, with an average of 51°F.
Location
The start/finish line is located at the following coordinates: 46.2233, -119.14675.
The start/finish area is located at the eastern end of Columbia Park in Kennewick, WA with a number of parking lots available within 1/2 mile walk. Please try and park in the two areas designated in the image to the right.
Columbia Park is easily accessed from the westbound lanes of Highway 240, and also from Columbia Park Trail coming either from the west or east.
Schedule
The start time for both the marathon and relay will be 8:00 am and the course will close at 2:00 pm. If you need more time, you can start early at 7:00 am, although you will not be eligible for awards. If you need even more time than that, please reach out and we will try and make suitable arrangements but note that starting at any time other than 7 or 8 requires previous approval.
The start time for the half marathon will be 9:00 am and then the 5k race will start at 9:30 am. No early starts are available for either of those distances.
Preregistered runners can pickup their numbers and goodies on Friday April 19th from 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm at Runners Soul in Kennewick (5020 W Clearwater Ave). Due to limited parking, please try and have one person from your team or family pick up items for everyone. In-person registration will also be available at this time - please plan to pay with cash, check, or Venmo.
Race numbers can also be picked up race morning starting at 6:30 am at the start/finish area. In-person registration will be available up until 30 minutes before the race start time.
Course
The Marathon Course is certified by the USATF (Code WA24009RMB), which means it can be used as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. In addition, the half marathon course is certified (WA24010RMB) as is the 5k course (WA24011RMB).
This flat and fast course is on the roads and paved paths along the Columbia River in all three cities, with the start/finish line at the Lampson Pits in Columbia Park.
Participants will start heading west along Columbia Park Trail in Kennewick and will then turn north on the Sacajawea Heritage Trail to head into Richland. After going under the I-182 Bridge, the course continues north on the Riverfront Trail path until a turnaround point in Howard Amon park. After completing the out & back section, participants will cross the bridge into Pasco and head east on Court Street until turning onto the Sacajawea Heritage Trail and entering Chiawana Park. The course will continue east, passing the Blue Bridge, and will then turn left onto 9th Avenue, where participants will loop around and cross the river on the east side of the Cable Bridge. Once reaching the Kennewick side of the river, the course will head west on the the Sacajawea Heritage Trail until participants turn onto Clover Island for a short out and back. After turning back onto the Sacajawea Heritage Trail westbound, participants will head back into Columbia Park, and wind back around to finish where the race started.
The course elevation varies between 350 and 400 feet above sea level with the total elevation gain being under 410 feet. Most, if not all, of the elevation gain is encountered when going over the river on the bridges so be prepared for these short climbs.
The course will not be closed so please be considerate to other trail users. Announce when you will be passing someone, stay to the right when you are not passing, and make sure to say hi to folks you see - especially the volunteers! Cyclists will be leading the front runners throughout the race and we will have a group of folks sweeping the course after the last person.
The relay option will start and finish at the same location, and follow the same course, as the individual marathon. There will be four unequal legs where the lengths are 8.1, 7.6, 4.0, and 6.5 miles and the transition points are located at the Bradley Blvd parking lot in Richland (46.267454, -119.260886), at the NW parking lot of Chiawana Park in Pasco (46.247861, -119.216043), and near the Road 39 parking lot in Pasco (46.230559, -119.143382).
The half marathon and 5k courses will both start and finish at the same location as the marathon but will be out and back routes with the turnaround located at the halfway point.
Click on the below maps for interactive versions of each course map.
Marathon & Relay Course
Half Marathon Course
5k Course
Aid Stations & Finish Line
Aid Stations for the marathon, relay, and half marathon will be located no more than 2.5 miles apart from one another and will have water and Roctane sports drink (lemon-berry), GU energy gels (vanilla bean & raspberry lemonade). Note that gels will be available after 6 miles. The liquids will be offered in pre-filled cups and then pitchers will also be available to refill bottles or bladders. There will be a water-only aid stations for the 5k near the turnaround. Restrooms or port-a-potties will be no more than 4 miles apart.
We plan to have various beverages and an assortment of food (including hot) for all participants to enjoy after they finish.
After you refuel, be sure to check out the Recovery Zone for a little FREE R&R offered up by some very talented physical therapists. While you may not feel like running the course again that day, it will help you feel a little less sore and better able to get around later in the day.
There will be a vendor expo near the finish line so you can check out the latest offerings and chat with some great people that helped support this race.
Registration
Your entry fee covers the race, a finisher medal, a custom reusable packet pickup bag, an awesome assortment of food at the finish line, free race photos, a chance to win a prize during the raffle drawing, and of course a chance to spend a Saturday morning doing what you love. The marathon and half marathon entry fees will also include a race shirt. The relay and 5k participants will have the option to buy a shirt for an additional fee.
There is tiered pricing based on when you register, so sign up early for the best deal. Prices will increase on October 1st, March 1st, and then again on April 19th. Any registration after noon on 3/28 will not include a shirt. While we will order extras, we cannot guarantee that you will get a shirt if you register after that date. Also, there will be no refunds, deferments, or transfers of registrations so please don't ask.
** Attention Marathon Maniacs & Half Fanatics** You are eligible for a $10 discount! Before registering, please email us with your name, email address, and member number and then we will provide you a coupon code to use during registration.
Awards & Prizes
Everyone will get a finisher medal, regardless of event, although the medals for the marathon and half marathon will be a bit nicer!
Award ceremonies will be held to present custom awards to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd overall male and female finishers in the marathon, half marathon, and 5k races.
Awards will be provided to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers in the following age group categories for both male and female:
Marathon & Half Marathon: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80 and over
5k: 9 and under, 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 and over
Awards will be provided to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place relay teams in male, female, and coed categories.
There will be a random prize drawing held after the race starts to distribute many awesome items donated by our sponsors. Please make sure to check-in after you finish to see if you won.
Rules
In addition to the following, all rules posted under General Rules apply.
Relay team participants will each have a bib with the same race number on it and will pass a velcro band (with a chip attached) to one another at each relay transition point.
Lodging
Traveling from out of town and needing a place to stay for the race? The "Holiday Inn Richland On The River" (located at 802 George Washington Way) has set aside a block of rooms for the Run the River Participants! This great hotel is just 11 minutes from the race start and has several awesome restaurants nearby.
Participants have until March 29, 2024 to book at the group rate. All reservations need to be made by this date to ensure you get the discounted rate. After this date all unused rooms are released back into general inventory and the hotel is no longer obligated to honor the discounted group rate.
There are 2 ways to book:
Over the Phone, by calling the hotel directly at 509-946-7611, selecting option “0” for the front desk, and providing the Group Name (Run the River 2024), Group Code (RTR), and check in/out dates.
Online, by following this link and adjusting your check in & out dates
Thank you Holiday Inn Richland On The River!
Past Results
Course Records
Individual Marathon:
Male 2:54:53 (2023)
Female 3:13:24 (2023)
Marathon Relay:
Male 2:44:42 (2023)
Female 3:14:20 (2023)
Coed 3:38:39 (2023)
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.
Presenting Sponsor
