COVID-19 Update:

Health concerns arising from the spread of the coronavirus have prompted race organizers to cancel the Yakima River Canyon Marathon in 2020. Organizers have taken this step out after much consideration and consultation, and they did so with the safety of the runners, volunteers, spectators and overall public in mind. The Yakima River Canyon Marathon will return on March 27, 2021, and entries for this year’s race will be carried over to next year through the registration platform at Databar.com. Those unable to do next year’s race may seek a refund, also through Databar.com. We hope to see everyone again in 2021.

Yakima River Canyon Marathon & Half Marathon 2020

WHEN:

SATURDAY April 4, 2020

Marathon Start Time: 8:00 a.m. (course closes at 3:00pm)
Half-Marathon Start Time: 9:30 a.m. (course closes at 3:00pm)
(both events are USAT&F Certified. See Certifications below)

WHERE:

RACE HEADQUARTERS: Selah Civic Center, 216 South First Street, Selah, Washington.
CLICK HERE FOR MAP AND DIRECTIONS

ENTRY FEES:

ENTRY FEE (both events): $80.00 until 2/29/20. From March 1, 2019, until midnight on April 1, 2020, the fee will be $95. At packet pickup on April 3, 2020, it will be $110.

Entry Includes: The (Non-Refundable) Entry includes T-shirt, race-day transportation (if needed), finisher medal, one awards ceremony/meal ticket, chance for drawing prize and a finisher’s certificate.

REGISTRATION & PACKET PICKUP:

REGISTER ONLINE (No mail-in registrations accepted):
click below to register

CONFIRMATIONS:

Marathon: Click Here
Half-Marathon: Click Here

PACKET PICKUP at the Race Headquarters:
Friday, April 3 – 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Selah Civic Center

ABOUT THE EVENT - A RUNNER TESTIMONIAL

Runner Testimonial…

A marathon that you really should consider for the whole weekend’s experience is the Yakima River Canyon. It simply beats any other marathon experience PERIOD. At the end of the carbo loading dinner the night before, everyone know everyone. Getting on the buses and on the beautiful course the next morning it’s old home week with new friends. At the afternoon baked potato salad bar awards dinner it is simply a hoot. I always stay two nights.

If not ready for a marathon, who cares? There are many, many slow runners and walkers and they are as well embraced, perhaps more so, than the front runners.

You’ll rub elbows with many wide-eyed first timers and many knurly veterans that will astound middle of the packers, back of the packers, all equals at the end of the day.

Well, that’s my take, other locals and those who travel across the country each year and don’t need another WA State feel the same. COOL!

Thanks….Jim Boyd, Aberdeen, WA

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

ACTIVITIES AT RACE HEADQUARTERS:

FRIDAY, April 3rd:
• Packet Pickup and Late Registration – 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• 100 Marathon Club Reunion Meeting – 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Pasta Feed – 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Adults $10.00 – Children $5.00)
SATURDAY, April 4th:
• Shuttle Bus Service to Ellensburg Start Line (Early Start) – 5:00 a.m.
• Marathon Shuttle Bus Service to Ellensburg Days Inn – 6:00 a.m..
(Packet Pickup for Marathon 6:00 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. – Ellensburg Days Inn Conference Building)
• Half Marathon Shuttle Bus Service to Start Line – 8:00 a.m.
(Packet Pickup for Half-Marathon 6:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – Selah Civic Center)
• Shuttle Bus Service from Finish area to the Selah Civic Center and the Best Western Ahtanum Inn between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
• Shuttle Bus Service to Ellensburg – At 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. from finish area.
• Awards Ceremony/Meal – Awards Ceremony at 4:00 p.m. followed by a baked potato feed and prize drawings for those in attendance. One ticket for the meal will be included in the entry fee. Athletes are encouraged to purchase additional guest tickets for friends and family when registering. Limited extra tickets will be sold on a first-come first-served basis.

Special Program at the Friday Night Pasta Feed -

Guest speaker will be Henry Reuden who has completed 1500 marathons!

IT'S NOT REALLY MARATHON MADNESS...1500 PLUS AND COUNTING!

Henry Rueden started running in his youth, and has never stopped since! As an adult, Henry continued and evolved his passion for running while serving in the military while on active duty in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserve from 1972 to 2000! He was recalled to active duty in 2004 and for a year of service related to the Iraq war. Henry has resided over the years in his hometown Hobart, and made his living as an Accountant for a U.S. Federal Government Agency. He retired in 2015. In 1988, at the age of 38, Henry ran his very first marathon, the Chicago Marathon! Thirty some years later and with over 1500 marathons or ultras later, he is still running. It's interesting to note that like most first time marathoners Henry has a special place in his heart for his very first marathon, the Chicago Marathon, as he has done it every year since then, except for three years when he was serving in the military on deployment overseas, completing Great Lake Series and a marathon considered one of the largest 25 based on number of finishers.

It would be an understatement to say that Henry Rueden is truly an amazing marathon man extraordinaire! Some of his many marathon unique accomplishments and achievements over the last 30 plus years include...completing a marathon in all 50 States twenty times...doing a marathon on all Seven Continents on Planet Earth...completing a marathon in every Providence and Territory in Canada, Australia ...doing an inaugural marathon in all 50 states...completing an ultra-marathon (31 miles or more) in all 50 states...doing a marathon or ultra-marathon in over 400 different locations! After turning age 60, Henry did 50 marathons in 50 states in one year! In 2015, at age 65, Henry achieved a personal most marathons/ultras done in one year best by completing 115 marathons or ultras! Worldwide, Henry is listed among the top 20 runners of most completed marathons/ultras! He has completed the Great Lake Series (series of marathons) around the Great Lakes. As of August, 2019, Henry has completed over 1500 Full or Ultra-Marathons!

COURSE RECORDS, CERTIFICATIONS, MAPS & DESCRIPTIONS:

COURSE RECORDS (Marathon & Half Marathon) – Click Here
COURSE USAT&F CERTIFICATIONS
Marathon – Click Here
Half Marathon – Click Here
MARATHON COURSE INFORMATION & MAPS
START MAP – Click Here
COURSE MAP – Click Here
COURSE PROFILE – Click Here
FINISH MAP – Click Here

MARATHON RACE START
Use Exit 109 from I-90. Go south past the Buzz Inn and Flying J Truck Plaza. Take the first left onto Berry Road…to the race start headquarters at the Days Inn, 901 Berry Road. The starting line is on Canyon Road .2 mile south of the Berry Road intersection. (see map) For safety reasons running in the right lane is recommended, but not mandatory.

MARATHON COURSE DESCRIPTION: This point-to-point Marathon course is exceptionally scenic as it offers spectacular views of the Yakima River Canyon. It starts on Canyon Road .2 mile south of the Berry Road intersection in Ellensburg, Washington. After two loops, it proceeds directly south to the canyon. There are two major hills and many curves as the course follows the Yakima River downstream on the asphalt surfaced highway. The long downhill just before the finish in rural Selah, Washington, near the canyon’s mouth contributes to the net elevation loss of a few hundred feet as it brings the runners to the Yakima Valley orchard and ranch country.

PERSONAL GEAR:
Drop bags to go to the Finish Area may be left at the designated vehicle in front of the Days Inn on race morning before 7:45 a.m. Do not place cash or expensive items in the bags. The bags will be supervised, but we will not be responsible for lost or stolen items.

COURSE SUPPORT:
Aid stations will be located every 2-3 miles to provide water, Powerade, and medical aid of band-aids and petroleum jelly. Medical personnel and restrooms will be available throughout the race.

RACE FINISH:
Use exit 26 from I-82. Take Highway 821 north about 3 miles. (see map)
There will be bus transportation from the finish area to the Selah Civic Center and to the Best Western Ahtanum Inn.

COURSE CLOSURE:
The course will be open for 7 hours. Runners and walkers who have not finished by 3:00 p.m. will be given rides to the finish area. Early starts are allowed only with special permission. Only official and local vehicles are allowed on the race course. Spectators may view the race at the start, finish, and Thrall Road intersection with Canyon Road. There are no accessible intersections in the canyon. No bicycles or baby joggers are allowed on the course.

HALF-MARATHON INFORMATION
START MAP – Click Here
COURSE MAP – Click Here
COURSE PROFILE – Click Here
FINISH MAP – Click Here

HALF MARATHON RACE START TIME & LOCATION:
The 9:30 a.m. start is at the 13.1 mile marker of the Marathon. All participants will be bused to the start. At 8:00 a.m. three buses will leave the Selah Civic Center, 216 South First Street, Selah, WA and one will leave from the Best Western Ahtanum Inn, 2408 Rudkin Road, Yakima, WA. There will be no early starts.

HALF MARATHON COURSE DESCRIPTION: This Half-Marathon course will start at the 13.1-Mile mark of the Marathon Course for a point-to-point. The course is exceptionally scenic as it offers spectacular views of the Yakima River Canyon. The Half Marathon Participants will be bused to the start (no need to reserve bus). Three buses will leave the Civic Center at 8:00 a.m. for the starting area, and one bus will leave the Best Western Ahtanum Inn (2408 Rudkin Road, Yakima) at 8:00 a.m. SPECIAL NOTE: NO EARLY START

Personal Gear to be taken to the Finish Area:
Drop bags may be left on a designated bus at the start.

Course Closure:
The course will close at 3:00 p.m.

BUS SERVICE

MARATHON – Buses will leave at 6:00 a.m. from the Selah Civic Center and the Best Western Ahtanum Inn to take participants to the Days Inn gathering area in Ellensburg.

HALF MARATHON – Buses will leave at 8:00 a.m. from the Selah Civic Center and the Best Western Ahtanum Inn for the starting line at the 13.1 mile marker of the half marathon.

AWARDS & DIVISIONS:

Awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers and to the first three finishers in the age divisions (male & female 19 and under, then five year increments to 85+). All entrants will receive a T-shirt, and all finishers will receive a finishers medal.

LODGING, ACCOMMODATIONS & WEATHER:

YAKIMA, WA:
Sun Country Inn, 1700 N. 1st Street, 1-800-559-3675
*Sun Country Inn is under new management with a new name!
Best Western Ahtanum Inn, 2408 Rudkin Rd., 1-800-348-9701
*There will be race day bus service from the Best Western Ahtanum Inn to the starting areas and from the finish area
*Marathon Bus - 6:00a.m. Half Marathon Bus - 8:00a.m.

ELLENBURG, WA:
Days Inn, 901 Berry Road, 1-888-889-9870
Comfort Inn, 1722 Canyon Road, (509)925-7037

OR CONTACT:
• Yakima Valley Visitors & Convention Bureau – 1-800-221-0751, (509)575-3010, or yvvcb@visityakima.com
• Yakima Chamber of Commerce – (509)248-2021 or http://www.yakima.org

WEATHER
For April 4, 2020 the average low temperature is 29 degrees and the average high is 56 degrees.

Current weather
Race Start		Race Finish

ARCHIVED RESULTS

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ARCHIVED RESULTS – YEARS 2001 – 2018

THE GREAT RACE AND DEDICATED RACE DIRECTORS - RACE REVIEWS

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!

TEAM DOLPHIN BOSTON MARATHON FUND

The Team Dolphin Boston Marathon Fund was established by the five children of Bob and Lenore Dolphin, co-directors of the Yakima River Canyon Marathon (YRCM), in honor of Bob’s 400th marathon/ultra run at the YRCM on March 31, 2007. A minimum amount of $400.00 is shared annually by a male and a female runner who have qualified for Boston at the previous year’s YRCM, and preference is given to those who have never run at Boston.There is a link to the websites of the Marathon Maniacs, 100 Marathon Club North America, Hard Core Runners Club etc. to publicize this fund and the opportunity it presents for applicants and contributors.

Contributions from supporters are held in a bank savings account under the control of the treasurer of the Yakima River Canyon Marathon and the president of the Hard Core Runners Club. Members of the YRCM committee assist these two people in selecting the individuals who will receive the award. The checks are presented after the designated winners provide a copy of the confirmation of the race entry indicating registration and acceptance of the next Boston Marathon by the Boston Athletic Association.

Criteria for the committee to consider in making the selection: