Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers

It's here! Our annual list of the year's
best marathons to help you qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Marathon Pace Bands

Run the Right Pace in Your Next Marathon

Nearly 500 marathon courses.
Ships same or Next Day

Columbia Gorge Marathon

Name: Columbia Gorge Marathon
Start: 2025-10-19
Location: Hood River, OR

Hood River, OR
Sunday, October 19, 2025

5 Stars from 2 Reviews

Description

The hilly and challenging Columbia Gorge begins on the banks of the Columbia River; The course then winds up and through the Columbia River Gorge on the old scenic highway - past waterfalls, amazing vistas and colorful fall foliage.

Other Marathons in October

Other Marathons in Oregon

Pace Band | Race Details | Rankings | Course Elevation Chart | Race Hotels | Time Converter | Reviews

Want to run your best Columbia Gorge Marathon?

Don't waste months of training only to run the wrong pace.

Columbia Gorge Marathon Pace Bands are adjusted for the specific terrain of the course, your goal time and pacing strategies.

Only $9.99

Race Information

Race Dates

2025: Sunday, October 19, 2025
2024: Sunday, October 20, 2024

Course Information

Profile: Very Hilly
Type: Mostly Out and Back
Surface: Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: No
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: No

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 52°F (11°C)
Average High: 63°F (17°C)
Average Low: 40° F (4°C)

PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 95.57
Course Score: 95.57

Race Size

2024: 278 Finishers
2023: 235 Finishers
2022: 154 Finishers
2021: No Results
2020: No Results
2019: 284 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2024: N/A
2023: N/A
2022: N/A
2021: N/A
2020: N/A
2019: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

How does the Columbia Gorge Marathon Rank?

The Columbia Gorge Marathon was the 210th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 248th largest in 2022.

Its Course Score of 95.57 ranks it as the 404th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 9th fastest course in Oregon.

The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Columbia Gorge Marathon a PR Score of 95.57. This PR Score ranks it as the 382nd fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 9th fastest in Oregon.

Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.

Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the
Columbia Gorge Marathon

View available accomodations around the Columbia Gorge Marathon Finish Line and Course. Book your Reservation now before the best places are sold out.

For a better mobile or desktop experience:

Recent Columbia Gorge Marathon Reviews

5 Stars from 2 Reviews
View all Reviews

GW's review of 2016 Columbia Gorge Marathon.

5 / 5 Stars

Review
Beautiful scenery. Challenging, hilly course. Nice support. Small field of under 300.

Race Tips
Easy start because there's a 3 mile hill climb starting at mile 19.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

VV's review of 2016 Columbia Gorge Marathon.

5 / 5 Stars

Review
Love the small town feel. Sights during the run were the best I've seen in over 20 marathons. Really tough stretch from mile 18-21 (all up).

Race Tips
Patience. Lots of downhill and uphills in the beginning can get you anxious. Just race to enjoy the sights in this one.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

View all Reviews

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Find the Best Hotel/VRBO for your next marathon!

Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers

It's here! Our annual list of the year'sbest marathons to help you qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Marathon Pace Bands

Run the Right Pace in Your Next Marathon

Nearly 500 marathon courses.Ships same or Next Day

Columbia Gorge Marathon

Hood River, ORSunday, October 19, 2025

Description

The hilly and challenging Columbia Gorge begins on the banks of the Columbia River; The course then winds up and through the Columbia River Gorge on the old scenic highway - past waterfalls, amazing vistas and colorful fall foliage.

Pace Band

Other Marathons in October

Other Marathons in Oregon

Race Registration Race Hotels/VRBO

Pace Band | Race Details | Rankings | Course Elevation Chart | Race Hotels | Time Converter | Reviews

Want to run your best Columbia Gorge Marathon?

Don't waste months of training only to run the wrong pace.

Columbia Gorge Marathon Pace Bands are adjusted for the specific terrain of the course, your goal time and pacing strategies.

Only $9.99

Race Information

Race Dates

2025: Sunday, October 19, 2025 2024: Sunday, October 20, 2024

Course Information

Profile: Very Hilly Type: Mostly Out and Back Surface: Road/Pavement Boston Qualifier?: No World Marathon Major Qualifier?: No

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 52°F (11°C) Average High: 63°F (17°C) Average Low: 40° F (4°C)

PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 95.57 Course Score: 95.57

Race Size

2024: 278 Finishers2023: 235 Finishers2022: 154 Finishers2021: No Results2020: No Results2019: 284 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2024: N/A2023: N/A2022: N/A2021: N/A2020: N/A2019: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

How does the Columbia Gorge Marathon Rank?

Columbia Gorge Marathon Elevation Chart

Max Elevation: 757 feet (230m)Min Elevation: 88 feet (26m)

Elevation Gain: 1869 feet (569m)Elevation Loss: 2120 feet (646m)

Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Columbia Gorge Marathon

View available accomodations around the Columbia Gorge Marathon Finish Line and Course. Book your Reservation now before the best places are sold out.

For a better mobile or desktop experience: Click for Full Size Hotel Map

How Fast Can You Go?

If you ran the Columbia Gorge Marathon in 5:47:00, what would your time in other marathons be? See how your race times would compare on other marathon courses with our time conversion tool.

Recent Columbia Gorge Marathon Reviews

GW's review of 2016 Columbia Gorge Marathon.

Review

Beautiful scenery. Challenging, hilly course. Nice support. Small field of under 300.

Race Tips

Easy start because there's a 3 mile hill climb starting at mile 19.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

VV's review of 2016 Columbia Gorge Marathon.

Review

Love the small town feel. Sights during the run were the best I've seen in over 20 marathons. Really tough stretch from mile 18-21 (all up).

Race Tips

Patience. Lots of downhill and uphills in the beginning can get you anxious. Just race to enjoy the sights in this one.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Subscribe to our Newsletter

It's here! Our annual list of the year's
best marathons to help you qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Nearly 500 marathon courses.
Ships same or Next Day

Hood River, OR
Sunday, October 19, 2025

2025: Sunday, October 19, 2025
2024: Sunday, October 20, 2024

Profile: Very Hilly
Type: Mostly Out and Back
Surface: Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: No
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: No

Mean Temp.: 52°F (11°C)
Average High: 63°F (17°C)
Average Low: 40° F (4°C)

PR Score: 95.57
Course Score: 95.57

2024: 278 Finishers
2023: 235 Finishers
2022: 154 Finishers
2021: No Results
2020: No Results
2019: 284 Finishers

2024: N/A
2023: N/A
2022: N/A
2021: N/A
2020: N/A
2019: N/A

Max Elevation: 757 feet (230m)
Min Elevation: 88 feet (26m)

Elevation Gain: 1869 feet (569m)
Elevation Loss: 2120 feet (646m)

Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the
Columbia Gorge Marathon

For a better mobile or desktop experience:

If you ran the Columbia Gorge Marathon in 5:47:00, what would your time in other marathons be?

See how your race times would compare on other marathon courses with our time conversion tool.