Event Overview

Welcome to the Cape Mountain Trail Runs! These 50K, 25K and 10K loop courses soar high above the Pacific Ocean on one of the Oregon Coast’s defining headlands, Cape Mountain. Just 15 minutes north of Florence, the mountain’s hidden gem trail network offers miles and miles of exceptional singletrack through moss-draped old growth rainforest, enchanting creek canyons, and rare coastal headland meadows.

Since 2003, this special event has been a local fundraiser for the Siuslaw High School Cross Country program in Florence and we are proud to continue supporting them as the event’s beneficiary.

Background

Oregon’s Cape Mountain headland projects straight out of the Pacific Ocean from its base at Sea Lion Point (famous for its caves!), rising nearly 1500’ above sea level at its summit. Within the mighty Siuslaw National Forest (pronounced sigh-YEW-slaw), Cape Mountain’s massive size, volcanic origins and location define the Central Oregon Coast as the northern geographic boundary of the Oregon Dunes and the Siuslaw River Valley, home to some of the most scenic coastline anywhere in the United States. Meadow and summit views extend for dozens of miles on clear days, having been stewarded by fire for thousands of years by the native Siuslaw peoples, who’ve hunted deer and elk here for countless generations. The Siuslaw tribe’s name for the mountain is Hu’wiina, the “high dark place at the north end of the sand dunes”.

Oregon Coast Trail Series

Cape Mountain is the second of three races in the Oregon Coast Trail Series! To learn more or participate in the OCT Series, head over to the info page HERE.

Land Acknowledgement: We honor and recognize that we gather for this event on the traditional lands of the native Siuslaw peoples, who have occupied and stewarded these lands for millenia. We respect their right to self-determination and their sacred connection to these lands and waters.

Registration

Laughs, smiles, hugs and high fives are free. The registration fee includes a beautiful, fully marked race course (by the Race Director), cool staging venue, parking, timing and results, full service aid stations, medical support and communications, post race food and beverages, custom finisher awards, professional photography and several other essential services and requirements we don't need to mention. 

The registration fee does not include a race shirt, hat or other add-on sales. Please review the Daybreak Racing Cancellation Policy if you have questions about withdrawing from the race. 

Event Timeline

Friday, May 31, 2024

• Optional Bib Pickup, campfire and s’mores: 6:00PM-7:00PM @ Horse Creek Campground. BYO chairs and beverages, we provide s’mores and roasting sticks.

Saturday, June 1, 2024

• Bib Pickup Opens: 7:00 @ Horse Creek Campground

• 50K Race Start: 8:00AM

• 10K Race Start: 9:00AM

• Final Cutoff: 4:00PM at Finish Line (See 50K info for aid station cutoffs)

Sunday, June 2, 2024

• Bib Pickup Opens: 7:00 @ Horse Creek Campground

• 25K Race Start: 8:00AM

• Event Conclusion: 1:00PM at Finish Line (See 25K info for aid station cutoffs)

Event Sponsors

Getting Here

The event is staged 15 miles north of Florence, Oregon at the Horse Creek Campground in the Siuslaw National Forest, about an hour’s drive west of Eugene on the Oregon Coast.

Traveling on Hwy 101 from the north or south, turn east (inland, away from the ocean) between milepost 179 and 180 onto Forest Road 58, then follow Forest Road 58 for 3.5 miles up Cape Mountain to get to the Horse Creek Campground. For added reference, Sea Lion Caves is 1/4 mile north of the Forest Road 58 entrance on Hwy 101.

DRIVING: Approximated drive time to Horse Creek Campground from the following cities:

• Florence: 20-25 minutes

• Eugene: 1.5 hrs

• Portland: 3 hrs

AIRPORTS: Nearest major airports are Eugene (EUG) or Portland (PDX).

Accommodations

OFFICIAL LODGING: Our official lodging sponsor is Driftwood Shores, a lovely beachfront resort north of Florence, and the closest hotel lodging to the race venue. Call them at 541-997-8263 to book a discounted reservation by mentioning you are running Cape Mountain with Daybreak Racing! They offer all ocean view rooms, beach access, a pool/spa, restaurant/bar and a great little market with fresh foods, snacks and other provisions.

STAGING AREA: There are a handful of campsites available at the race location (Horse Creek Campground) and all sites are first come first served— no reservations are available. Campers are responsible for paying the daily camping fee at the campground fee site, currently $13/night (bring cash). The campground does not have running water or electricity, so plan accordingly.

CAMPGROUNDS from nearest points north of the race staging area:

• Cape Perpetua Campground - 16 miles/30 minutes

• Rock Creek Campground - 9 miles/20 minutes

CAMPGROUNDS from nearest points south of the race staging area:

• Alder Dune Campground - 7 miles/15 minutes

• Sutton Campground - 10 miles/20 minutes

• Honeyman State Park - 17 miles/32 minutes

Parking

Event parking has no fee and is available using the unoccupied Horse Creek Campground sites, but mainly along the road shoulder of Forest Road 58 outside the campground entrance. Please carpool if possible, as parking is limited. A site map will be provided in pre-race email communications to all registered participants. Oversized vehicles and trailers are strongly discouraged and allowed ONLY if you are camping on site at Horse Creek Campground, as campground space and roadside areas is very limited and primitive.

Race Day!

Weather

Check the latest local weather HERE. June temperatures generally see daytime highs in the upper 50’s into the 70°F range and morning lows in the 50°F range. It can be a turbulent time of year here, which can bring all sorts of weather in a single day, including sun, clouds, wind, fog and/or rain showers…It’s the coast, come prepared!

Bib Pickup

Race day check-in is required from 7:00am-7:55am on race morning, OR come Friday evening from 5pm-7pm to check-in. Runners pick up their race bibs and swag at the race staging area at Horse Creek Campground. 25K runners are welcome to pick up their bib anytime on Saturday from 8am-4pm.

Results

Official results will be posted to Ultrasignup shortly after the event concludes.

Post Race Celebration!

Stay and enjoy the forest campfire vibes while we cheer on all the race finishers! A post race meal and beverages are available for all participants and volunteers at the finish line area. Family and friends are welcome to eat and drink for a $10 cash contribution per person. 

Awards

Every participant receives a custom award as they finish their race. A raffle of some awesome sponsor swag will be held while runners are out on the course! Prizes will be given to raffle winners as they finish their race.

General Info

Youth Initiative

The Cape Mountain 10K race is proud to be a part of the USATF Mountain, Ultra, Trail Running Youth Initiative – a program in cooperation with the American Trail Running Association (ATRA) designed to increase 14 to 18 year old kids participation in trail races and lay the groundwork for American excellence in elite trail running competitions.

Youth get a discounted registration fee. The Youth category (Age 14-19 on race day) also has a limited number of free entries. Email the Race Director for more information.

Beneficiary

The event beneficiary is Siuslaw High School’s Cross Country and Track & Field programs in Florence, Oregon. Daybreak Racing’s Race Directors, Jeremy and Aaron were born and raised in Florence, learned to run here and are Siuslaw Alumni. We’re honored to give back to where it all started!

Photography

We are proud to have James Holk taking all official event photography this year!

Race Swag

Our race t-shirts and hats are from Territory Run Co., using the race logo created by designer Johnny Bertram, all based in Portland, Oregon! Race shirts and hats are not included in the race entry fee and can be purchased during registration. Swag must be picked up at the race. All unclaimed swag will be sold on race day. 

Pet/Dog Policy

Friendly, leashed dogs are allowed at the event staging area, aid stations and on the 10K and 25K course, but not the 50K.

Social Media

We post updates and photos and other race-related info on Daybreak Racing’s Instagram pretty often.

Cancellations

See the Daybreak Racing Cancellation Policy.

This event is granted by a Special Use Permit through the Siuslaw National Forest, U.S. Forest Service. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.  The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.