RaceScout
Browse RacesMy RacesBlogTake the quiz
Sat, Apr 3 · 2027Selah, WASince 2001

Yakima River Canyon Marathon

A point-to-point run through the Yakima River Canyon, where the course is quiet, the field is small, and the road follows the river almost the whole way.

FlatOpen
YAKIMA RIVER CANYON · US
Yakima River Canyon
SAT, APR 3
2027
UNLOCK YOUR FIT SCORE

How does Yakima River Canyon 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. 2001

The Yakima River Canyon Marathon is one of the smaller, quieter races you'll find anywhere in the country. The field is tiny. You start in Ellensburg and run a point-to-point course along the river through the canyon, finishing in Selah. There are no crowds lining the road. It is just you, the canyon walls, the water, and whoever is within sight ahead or behind. The road is mostly paved, the grade rolls gently, and the course is net-flat. That makes it appealing on paper for a Boston qualifier attempt, but the canyon can funnel serious wind, and a headwind here will make you work for every minute. Race by effort, not by the splits on your watch.

The field size means you will not get carried by a pace group or swept along by thousands of runners. You have to run your own race from the gun. Logistically, stay in Ellensburg the night before since race HQ is right there, and expect a cold morning. Registration is open, so there is no lottery stress, just sign up on RunSignup when the window opens. The half-marathon fills faster. If a Boston qualifier is the goal, this is a legitimate shot, but respect the wind and do not bank time in the first half thinking the flat profile will bail you out later.

Field size
~122
122 finishers
BQ rate
12%
Above national average
Time limit
7:00
Generous cutoff
Entry
Open
First-come registration
Course records
Men
2:29:43
Jose Garcia
2002
Women
2:58:06
Mary Hanna
2006

The Course

Total ascent
—
Total descent
—
Net elevation
—
Highest point
1,499 ft
Lowest point
1,174 ft
Course shape
Point to point
Different start and finish

This point-to-point course runs roughly net-flat through the Yakima River Canyon, with the highest point near the start and the lowest point near the finish. The overall drop is modest, only around 325 feet over 26.2 miles, so it is not the kind of dramatic descent that demands aggressive braking. Expect gradual, rolling grade changes as the road tracks the river. Exposure to canyon wind is the main variable. A headwind on race day can neutralize the mild elevation advantage, so monitor the forecast and be ready to run by effort rather than pace. Footing is on paved road with minimal turns.

View official course mapPast results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median
Low
30°F
High
59°F
30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°
What to expect

Early April in the canyon means a cold start, potentially well below freezing at the gun, and a mild afternoon that you will not see because you will be done by then. Throw-away layers at the start line are worth it. The bigger variable is wind. The canyon funnels it, and a headwind can turn a flat course into a grind. Check the forecast the day before and adjust your goal pace accordingly. This is not a guaranteed fast-day venue the way some races are.

Entry

OPEN

Registration is online only via RunSignup. No in-person registration on race day. Marathon is open registration; half-marathon capped at 200 runners.

Register on RunSignup

Logistics

For runners travelling in
Closest airport
SEA
100 mi
from the start
≈ 158 min transferLonger haul
What to expect

The race starts in Ellensburg, Washington and finishes in Selah, near the Yakima Valley. Nearest major airport is Seattle-Tacoma International (approximately 150 miles away, 2.5+ hours drive). Stay in Ellensburg for easy start access (10-minute walk from Days Inn race HQ) or Yakima with provided bus service to start.

Frequently Asked

7 questions
Compare your options

Related races

Browse all races
Sat, Apr 3 — 2027REGIONAL CLASSIC
Albuquerque
Sat, Apr 3 · 2027
Albuquerque Marathon
Flat Albuquerque, NM
Sat, Apr 17 — 2027REGIONAL CLASSIC
Blue Ridge
Sat, Apr 17 · 2027
Blue Ridge Marathon
Hilly Roanoke, VA
Sat, Apr 3 — 2027REGIONAL CLASSIC
Charlottesville
Sat, Apr 3 · 2027
Charlottesville Marathon
Hilly Charlottesville, VA
Apr 2027 — est.REGIONAL CLASSIC
Delaware
Apr 2027 · est.
Delaware Marathon
Rolling Wilmington, DE
Apr 2027 — est.REGIONAL CLASSIC
Eisenhower
Apr 2027 · est.
Eisenhower Marathon
Flat Abilene, KS
Apr 2027 — est.REGIONAL CLASSIC
Garmin
Apr 2027 · est.
Garmin Marathon
Rolling Olathe, KS