RaceScout
Browse RacesBlogTake the Quiz
Browse · Pacific Crest Marathon
Sat, Jun 13 · 2026Sunriver, ORSince 1995

Pacific Crest Marathon

Run through the ponderosa pine forests and high desert plateau of central Oregon, where the air is thin, the course is flat, and the June morning starts cool before the sun takes over.

FlatOpen
PACIFIC CREST · US
Pacific Crest
SAT, JUN 13
2026
UNLOCK YOUR FIT SCORE

How does Pacific Crest stack up for you?

Answer 6 questions, and we’ll score this race honestly and compare it against every other marathon in our directory.

Take the 2-min quiz

Race Overview

EST. 1995

The Pacific Crest Marathon runs through the ponderosa pine forests around Sunriver in central Oregon. The course is a loop, essentially flat, sitting at about 4,000 feet. The surroundings are quiet and open, with long stretches through the trees and along roads in the high desert. It's a small race with a low-key feel. There's no roaring crowd, but the setting is genuinely calming in the early miles.

Here's what you need to know before you sign up. The altitude will get you if you're not from the area. Even though the course is flat, running at elevation takes more out of you than the profile suggests. Don't go out too fast thinking the flat terrain means an easy day. Weather in June can swing a lot: the morning start is cold and you'll want throwaway layers at the gun, but by the time you're deep into the second half the temperature can climb into the 70s. Hydrate from mile one. Entry is open registration, so getting in is simple enough. It fills up, so register early in the fall if you have a target date in mind.

Field size
—
BQ rate
—
Not a BQ race
Time limit
—
Entry
Open
First-come registration
Course records
Men
2:45:13
Brendon Lunty
2012
Women
3:16:00
Karla Hoffard
2014

The Course

Total ascent
—
Total descent
—
Net elevation
—
Highest point
4,000 ft
Lowest point
4,000 ft
Course shape
Loop
Start and finish in one place

The Pacific Crest Marathon runs entirely at roughly 4,000 feet elevation, with no net gain or loss on a loop course. At altitude, effort runs harder than sea level pace suggests, so runners targeting a specific finish time should expect the thin air to affect them, especially in the back half. The flat profile means no meaningful climbs or descents to manage, but there is no downhill to bank time on either. Pacing discipline from the gun matters here. Surface and exposure through the high desert can add a wind or heat factor as temperatures rise through the morning.

View official course mapPast results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median
Low
43°F
High
76°F
30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°
What to expect

June mornings in Sunriver start cold, often in the low 40s, so bring a throwaway layer for the start. But the temperature can climb fast once the sun is up, and afternoons can reach the mid-70s. You're racing a flat high desert course with limited shade, which means the back half of your run can turn into heat management. Don't let the cool gun temperature fool you into skipping hydration early.

Entry

OPEN

Registration opens September 1 with special flash sale pricing. Online registration available through TriSignup.

Register on race site

Frequently Asked

5 questions