gorge waterfalls 100k
2019 race cancelled due to trail damage from eagle creek wildfire
We know people are excited for this beautiful race to return! Our permitting agencies typically approve or deny event permits in October or November for the following calendar year, so we will not know the status of the 2020 Gorge races until that point this fall. That being said, parts of the race course are still unopened to the public since the 2017 fires and other parts sustained significant damage (slides, washouts) this spring due to unstable trails (also a result of the fire). We have our fingers crossed Gorge Waterfalls will be back soon and we promise to update this page and our social media accounts as soon as we know one way or the other about the permit. We appreciate your patience!
Race Cancellation
After experiencing an incredibly damaging forest fire in 2017, the Gorge Waterfalls course was cancelled in both 2018 and 2019. The trails have not healed to the point that they can sustain a trail race and some of the trails on the course are still closed to the public. We will continue to apply for the permit each year and we hope that with enough time, the race will be able to make a come back.
Volunteers
For those who earned a lottery bypass for 2018, we will keep your names on a spreadsheet until we can put the race on again. If you would like to use your lottery bypass you earned at Gorge for a different race, please email Elizabeth at info@rainshadowrunning.com.
The volunteer discount credits, as always, are good for any of our other races (excluding Orcas 100).
If you cancelled your Gorge registration and received a roll over credit, please email Elizabeth at info@rainshadowrunning.com to work out an alternate credit.
Trail Work Volunteers Needed
There will likely be a significant amount of trail work that is needed to fix the trails. If you would like to be involved in the repair of the Gorge, we recommend checking out one of these sites:
Friends of the Columbia River Gorge
Trailkeepers of Oregon
Pacific Crest Trail Association
Washington Trails Association
Please do not attempt to hold your own trail work party or plant trees. These are all great gestures, but the best way to help is to get involved with one of the organizations above.
Trail Closures
The forest service wants to stress to hikers and runners to please stay up to date on trail closures in the area and DO NOT enter those areas until they are officially open to the public. Some of these burn areas will likely be closed for months. We understand people are excited to pay homage to some of their favorite trails, but please respect the closures. Your presence do could do more harm to the trail and also put your safety in jeopardy.
You can find more info on trail closures on the Forest Service webpage and there will likely be closings posted at the trailheads.
Forest Service Fire Closures
Ways to Help
Friends of the Columbia River Gorge is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conversation of the Gorge. They are responsible for securing the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act in 1986 and now with over 6,000 members, they continue the conservation efforts year round.
You can donate at any time, but currently they are accepting donations for the Hood River County Search and Rescue for their efforts in rescuing over 140 hikers when the fire broke out. 100% of the proceeds go directly to these heroes.
For more information and ways to donate/help the Friends of the Columbia River Gorge, please click here.
Click here to donate to Wildland Firefighter Foundation
Race Cancellation
After experiencing an incredibly damaging forest fire in 2017, the Gorge Waterfalls course was cancelled in both 2018 and 2019. The trails have not healed to the point that they can sustain a trail race and some of the trails on the course are still closed to the public. We will continue to apply for the permit each year and we hope that with enough time, the race will be able to make a come back.
Volunteers
For those who earned a lottery bypass for 2018, we will keep your names on a spreadsheet until we can put the race on again. If you would like to use your lottery bypass you earned at Gorge for a different race, please email Elizabeth at info@rainshadowrunning.com.
The volunteer discount credits, as always, are good for any of our other races (excluding Orcas 100).
If you cancelled your Gorge registration and received a roll over credit, please email Elizabeth at info@rainshadowrunning.com to work out an alternate credit.
Trail Work Volunteers Needed
There will likely be a significant amount of trail work that is needed to fix the trails. If you would like to be involved in the repair of the Gorge, we recommend checking out one of these sites:
Friends of the Columbia River Gorge
Trailkeepers of Oregon
Pacific Crest Trail Association
Washington Trails Association
Please do not attempt to hold your own trail work party or plant trees. These are all great gestures, but the best way to help is to get involved with one of the organizations above.
Trail Closures
The forest service wants to stress to hikers and runners to please stay up to date on trail closures in the area and DO NOT enter those areas until they are officially open to the public. Some of these burn areas will likely be closed for months. We understand people are excited to pay homage to some of their favorite trails, but please respect the closures. Your presence do could do more harm to the trail and also put your safety in jeopardy.
You can find more info on trail closures on the Forest Service webpage and there will likely be closings posted at the trailheads.
Forest Service Fire Closures
Ways to Help
Friends of the Columbia River Gorge is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conversation of the Gorge. They are responsible for securing the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act in 1986 and now with over 6,000 members, they continue the conservation efforts year round.
You can donate at any time, but currently they are accepting donations for the Hood River County Search and Rescue for their efforts in rescuing over 140 hikers when the fire broke out. 100% of the proceeds go directly to these heroes.
For more information and ways to donate/help the Friends of the Columbia River Gorge, please click here.
Click here to donate to Wildland Firefighter Foundation
Course Description
The Gorge Waterfalls 100k is unique in the number of waterfalls this course includes - Quite possibly more waterfalls than you'll be able to count! Wahkeena Falls, Fairy Falls, Multnomah Falls, Oneota Falls, Dry Falls, and far more, including Ponytail Falls, which you'll run right underneath. And, as this is an out-and-back course, you'll see each waterfall twice, so even if you miss some of them in the dark at the start, you'll have a chance to appreciate them on your way back! This course is as beautiful as it is challenging. With approximately 12,000 feet of elevation gain and a course that is very rocky, this is not an entry or beginner level 100K. We recommend having run a 50 mile race or longer prior to signing up for this race.
For inspiration, check out Project Talaria's 2014 Gorge Watefalls video and Ethan Newberry's 2014 Gorge Waterfalls 100k Video.
The Gorge Waterfalls 100k is unique in the number of waterfalls this course includes - Quite possibly more waterfalls than you'll be able to count! Wahkeena Falls, Fairy Falls, Multnomah Falls, Oneota Falls, Dry Falls, and far more, including Ponytail Falls, which you'll run right underneath. And, as this is an out-and-back course, you'll see each waterfall twice, so even if you miss some of them in the dark at the start, you'll have a chance to appreciate them on your way back! This course is as beautiful as it is challenging. With approximately 12,000 feet of elevation gain and a course that is very rocky, this is not an entry or beginner level 100K. We recommend having run a 50 mile race or longer prior to signing up for this race.
For inspiration, check out Project Talaria's 2014 Gorge Watefalls video and Ethan Newberry's 2014 Gorge Waterfalls 100k Video.
| Gorge Waterfalls 100K Map |
Elevation Profile
Results, Pictures, Videos, and Race Reports
Click here for 2017 race results
Click here for Glenn Tachiyama's 2017 race photos
2016 results here, and all previous years' results can be found via UltraSignup.
Scroll down for links to 100k race recaps and race photos from Rainshadow race photographer, Glenn Tachiyama!
2016
Glenn Tachiyama - Official Race Photos
Race recap by 3rd place male, Jeremy Humphrey
Race recap by 4th place male, Ryan Ghelfi
Seven Hills/Gorge 100k Prediction Contest Winner: Jessie McClurg!
Race recap by Robert Sholtis
Race recap by Annie Weiss
Race recap by Glenn Jasechko
Race recap by Rob Russell
Race recap by Tara Holland
Race recap by Hilary Matheson
Race recap by Sawna Gaudarrama
Race recap by Jonnah Perkins
Race recap by Dana Notman
Race recap by Eric Lee
Race recap by Ryan Delany
Race recap by Zach Szablewski
Race recap by Michael Miller
Race recap by Cyndi Wyatt
Race recap by David Li
2015
Glenn Tachiyama - Official Race Photos
Race recap by Bob Shebest
Race recap by Van Phan
Race recap by Chris Denucci
2014
Glenn Tachiyama - Official Race Photos
Paul Nelson Photos
Ginger Runner 100k Race Video - GREAT introduction to the course, if you've never run to this part of the world (and even if you have!).
Race recap by Alicia Woodside [Women's inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 100k winner!]
Race recap by Luke Distelhorst
Contact
Questions? The race director for this and all Rainshadow Running races is James Varner and Elizabeth Reese.
Click here for 2017 race results
Click here for Glenn Tachiyama's 2017 race photos
2016 results here, and all previous years' results can be found via UltraSignup.
Scroll down for links to 100k race recaps and race photos from Rainshadow race photographer, Glenn Tachiyama!
2016
Glenn Tachiyama - Official Race Photos
Race recap by 3rd place male, Jeremy Humphrey
Race recap by 4th place male, Ryan Ghelfi
Seven Hills/Gorge 100k Prediction Contest Winner: Jessie McClurg!
Race recap by Robert Sholtis
Race recap by Annie Weiss
Race recap by Glenn Jasechko
Race recap by Rob Russell
Race recap by Tara Holland
Race recap by Hilary Matheson
Race recap by Sawna Gaudarrama
Race recap by Jonnah Perkins
Race recap by Dana Notman
Race recap by Eric Lee
Race recap by Ryan Delany
Race recap by Zach Szablewski
Race recap by Michael Miller
Race recap by Cyndi Wyatt
Race recap by David Li
2015
Glenn Tachiyama - Official Race Photos
Race recap by Bob Shebest
Race recap by Van Phan
Race recap by Chris Denucci
2014
Glenn Tachiyama - Official Race Photos
Paul Nelson Photos
Ginger Runner 100k Race Video - GREAT introduction to the course, if you've never run to this part of the world (and even if you have!).
Race recap by Alicia Woodside [Women's inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 100k winner!]
Race recap by Luke Distelhorst
Contact
Questions? The race director for this and all Rainshadow Running races is James Varner and Elizabeth Reese.