Half Marathon

The Rogue Gorge Half Marathon is a scenic, fast mostly out-and-back course, and is 98% singletrack trail! The route travels along the rim of the Upper Rogue Wild & Scenic River for the entire route, involving 13.4 miles with 900 ft. of ascent and 900 ft. of descent. There is one aid station at the turnaround along the course. 

The course is composed of mostly gently rolling and flat terrain with a few punchy short climbs and dips. The trail surface is primarily smooth dirt trail with intermittent rocks and roots, along with a few technical basalt lava rock sections.

Race Day Timeline

• RACE DATE: Sunday, October 20, 2024

• START/FINISH: Union Creek Day Use Picnic Shelter

• CHECK-IN: 7:00-7:50AM

• START TIME: 8:00AM

• CUT OFF: 10:00AM at Woodruff Bridge Aid Stn (Mile 7.3)

• FINISH CUT OFF: 12:00PM at Finish Line (4 hrs/3.6 mph to finish).

Please understand that the event timeline must be adhered to both for runner safety and tracking, but also to respect the valuable time of our volunteers.

Course Map & Profile

• MAP: Click on the course map image to open a high resolution copy. 

• INTERACTIVE MAP: Click HERE to view.

• GPX DATA: Click HERE to download.

• ELEVATION CHANGE: The course has 900’ of ascent and 900’ of descent.

Aid Stations

The Half Marathon has one aid station just over halfway through the race, supported with enthusiastic and experienced volunteers!  Be sure to express your appreciation for their support. Medical support personnel will be present along the course. 

The aid stations will be stocked with water, electrolyte drink, soda and an assortment of items including Spring Energy gels and basic first aid supplies. All Daybreak races are cupless, so be sure to bring your own cup/vessel for liquid at aid stations. 

Course Detail

Start to Aid Station 1 (Woodruff Bridge): Runners start at the Union Creek Day Use picnic shelter, then depart on a narrow gravel service road up to a short segment of trail connecting with the Rogue Gorge day use area, then turns left onto the Rogue Gorge Trail with amazing views of the river churning through the deep chasm. The Rogue Gorge Trail follows the east bank of the river downstream through gigantic old growth forest for three miles of gently rolling trail, then crosses a wooden footbridge over a lively whitewater section of the river gorge and onto the Upper Rogue River Trail (URRT). The course then continues downstream on the URRT, makes a solid ascent then quick descent along the western bank of the river over one mile before reaching the Natural Bridge viewing area, where the entire river gets swallowed into an underground lava tube and springs back up to the surface a hundred yards downstream! After crossing a second major footbridge back to the east side of the river, runners then turn right and continue downstream along the URRT for 3 scenic miles to Woodruff Bridge Aid Station. You’ll find the the river’s character shifts constantly from loud and raging one minute, then silent and gently flowing the next. The trail does the same, with a fast, buttery dirt single track flowing intermittently, mixed with brief technical basalt lava rock sections.

Aid Station 1 (Woodruff Bridge) to Finish: Turning around, returning upstream on the Upper Rogue River Trail, runners head back up to Natural Bridge, but turn right at the trail junction to stay on the east bank of the river. This brief paved path leads to the Natural Bridge Day Use area and onto the Rogue Gorge Trail (do not return across the big footbridges over the river). Runners continue upstream past the Natural Bridge Day Use area and campground on the Rogue Gorge Trail for a bit over a mile and will stay to the right past the other big footbridge they crossed over the river earlier in the race (again, stay right and do not cross the footbridge). The trail follows the river for another 1.5 miles, then enters the Union Creek Campground. At the Union Creek footbridge, the course veers right (do not go over the footbridge) and travels upstream along the south bank of Union Creek through the campground on the Union Creek Trail for just over half a mile. The Union Creek Trail then pops out at the Union Creek day use picnic shelter and amphitheater for the finish, right back where the day started!

Crew

Crew and spectators are welcome at Woodruff Bridge aid station. Please be sure to park respectfully in the day use parking area or on available roadside areas that do not block the race course, emergency vehicle access or other vehicles.

PLEASE PRINT THESE DIRECTIONS IN ADVANCE, as there is no internet or cell service in the area and we do not have the capacity to field ongoing questions from crew.

Turn by turn directions from Union Creek to Woodruff Bridge Aid Station (approx. 12 minute drive):

• Drive SOUTH on Hwy 62 for 4.6 miles (toward Medford)

• Turn RIGHT onto Forest Road 68/Abbot Creek Road for 1.8 miles

• Park at Woodruff Bridge Day Use. The aid station is on the large opening north of the roadway.

Weather

Check the latest local weather here.

Cancellations

See the Daybreak Racing Cancellation Policy.

This event is located on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. 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.  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.