News update!!
We know you have all been waiting patiently for us to make the call on whether we can and will have an in-person race. Thank you for being patient and we would like to ask that you continue to be patient as we are still in the process of working through our permit with the city of Bend.
We wanted to make the decision last week but at that point we would not have been able to have an in-person race. This week lobbying efforts have gained some ground and new state developments may allow us to have the in-person race. Our city council still needs to vote on the approval of Special Event permits on March 3rd. In total transparency, we would still only put our chances at about 50% at this point. We know "not knowing" is tough, but feel like waiting the extra week to be able to decide is important to you and to us, as we would really like to be able to bring you an in-person event this year.
Here is what we do know: There will be multiple safety procedures in place this year to make sure we can hold a safe event in accordance with the city and state guidelines.
The course:The event will be on a modified 6.5mi course starting and finishing in the Bend's Old Mill with 5k, 10km, Half, and Full options of 1/2 loop, 1 loop, 2 loops, and 4 loops of the course respectively. On short notice we will do our best to have an accurate course but it will not be certified and we will need to be flexible on exact distances. We're structuring the races this way because we would not be able to shut down a full course for an extended period of time with necessary wave starts.
Wave starts: We will be starting you in waves but don't yet know the exact size of time structure (pending approval).
Aid Stations: We will likely not be able to have aid stations or at most, modified aid stations with limited packaged options.
Required Masks: Masks will be required in the Start/Finish area as well as within 200m of the start.
Delayed price increase: Since we know many of you are waiting to sign up until we have a definitive answer we will delay the registration price increase scheduled for March 1st until April 1st.
The offer still stands that if you have signed up and we are not able to have an in-person race you will be able to transfer to the virtual race or get a full refund (minus RunSignUp fees).
For many of you in the virtual race, we're putting tremendous energy into fun ways to hold our race community together and have some ideas planned that will make this the best virtual race you've ever done!
We are very excited to announce that we have our shirt and medal designs to share with you, and we're thrilled about both! They are awesome!
Sunday April 18, 2021
Virtual challenge - April 12 - May 25, 2021
“Trust me, this is the latest addition to YOUR 'Running Bucket List'. You won’t regret it. Prepare to be blown away." – Matt Rasmussen, Run Oregon
Consider donating to one of our local beneficiaries during registration
We wanted to take a minute and highlight the Bend Marathon beneficiaries that you help support when you sign up and donate to them. The past two months have been particularly hard on local charities and the cancellation of the Marathon didn’t help. We’d like to encourage you, if you have the means right now, to support one of these local organizations. There’s still time to donate and still time to make a difference.
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NORTHWEST COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION, Princess Athletic, AND TULA
Bend Marathon is offering a FREE virtual running program for local youth. The Bend Marathon Youth Running Program in partnership with Northwest Community Credit Union, Princess Athletic, and Tula is all about running off some of that extra energy and getting our youth moving. Now, more than ever, it's important to keep them moving for their physical and mental health.
This virtual program allows youth in Central Oregon to complete (either at one time or over a series of efforts) any of the Bend Marathon virtual race distances. After completing their 5K, 10K, half-marathon, or marathon, email us your distance you completed and you will receive the corresponding race medal. You can do this however you would like to and does not need to be completed all at one (but you can). You just have to get it done by May 31st and send us an email with how far you ran.
You can keep track on your own or print and use the Mileage Tracking Sheet to keep track of laps and miles.
The virtual youth program is free for all Central Oregon youth. For those able, a donation to support FAN (Family Access Network, providing crucial resources such as food, shelter, and clothing to children and families in need in Central Oregon) would be appreciated during this especially difficult time.
A huge thanks goes out to Northwest Community Credit Union and Tula Movement Arts for stepping up to support this youth running initiative!
This virtual program allows youth in Central Oregon to complete (either at one time or over a series of efforts) any of the Bend Marathon virtual race distances. After completing their 5K, 10K, half-marathon, or marathon, email us your distance you completed and you will receive the corresponding race medal. You can do this however you would like to and does not need to be completed all at one (but you can). You just have to get it done by May 31st and send us an email with how far you ran.
You can keep track on your own or print and use the Mileage Tracking Sheet to keep track of laps and miles.
The virtual youth program is free for all Central Oregon youth. For those able, a donation to support FAN (Family Access Network, providing crucial resources such as food, shelter, and clothing to children and families in need in Central Oregon) would be appreciated during this especially difficult time.
A huge thanks goes out to Northwest Community Credit Union and Tula Movement Arts for stepping up to support this youth running initiative!
Virtual tour of marathon course
If you can't get to Bend for the marathon, why not have the marathon come to you! Check out a virtual tour of the whole Bend Marathon (and Half) course...in less than 10min! Might be a bit faster than you can run it but we didn't think you should sit in front of your screen for that long when you can get outside on another run.
Recent news
NEW BEND MARATHON INITIATIVES FOR 2020
This past year was certainly anything but normal and while we didn't get to move ahead with our initiatives we had in mind for our 2020 race we'll be looking to implement those for our 2021 race. Carrying forward what we hoped was going to be moves toward sustainability and better community will still be primary objectives, but some will have to wait due to the current state of the world.
Accepting the challenge of taking on the Bend Marathon was no easy decision but one thing we knew for sure was that we wanted to turn it into an event that gave back to the community of Bend and took better care of the environment. We want to be a leader in the sport of road running in sustainability and to do that we're needing to make some changes. Some will be easy, other's not so easy.
Leading up to the 2021 race date we will still be rolling out changes to how we operate in order to be better stewards of our town and our planet. We hope you'll agree that it's the right thing to do.
This past year was certainly anything but normal and while we didn't get to move ahead with our initiatives we had in mind for our 2020 race we'll be looking to implement those for our 2021 race. Carrying forward what we hoped was going to be moves toward sustainability and better community will still be primary objectives, but some will have to wait due to the current state of the world.
Accepting the challenge of taking on the Bend Marathon was no easy decision but one thing we knew for sure was that we wanted to turn it into an event that gave back to the community of Bend and took better care of the environment. We want to be a leader in the sport of road running in sustainability and to do that we're needing to make some changes. Some will be easy, other's not so easy.
Leading up to the 2021 race date we will still be rolling out changes to how we operate in order to be better stewards of our town and our planet. We hope you'll agree that it's the right thing to do.
2019 Photos are up!!
There are some great photos of you out on the course. Check out all the race photos at GoActionPhotos.com
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New cheer stations for family and friends
check out our spectating guide
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YOUR SAFETY IS OUR NUMBER 1 PRIORITY |
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To make your stay easier and give you all the info about the race you'll need go through the Get Ready, Get Set, GO checklist below. You'll find all your pre-race and race day info you'll need in there.
Welcome to the Bend Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k and 5k. We're already gearing up for another exciting race weekend. The April 19, 2020 events will be the best mountain town races anywhere. These are spectacularly scenic courses through West Bend emphasizing everything that makes Bend, Oregon great. You'll cruise around neighborhood parks, through ponderosa pine forests, along the mighty Deschutes River, and finish in a beautiful iconic Bend location to a hoppin' afterparty where the kombucha and craft beer are flowing, delicious food is waiting, and you can relax because you just finished your best race ever! Join us for the 6th edition of the Bend Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k and 5k.
Media partershipsProud to be a part of the 2021
Oregon Half and Full Marathon Series. 
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2021 premier Community partners
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2021 Sponsors
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Check out this great 2016 Race Day video:
Want More Bend? Check out our official 2016 Race Day video:
Welcome to the Bend Marathon and Half (10k/5k)
April 19, 2020
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