McKenzie River Trail Run
About the race
The McKenzie River Trail run is 31 miles on one of the prettiest trails in America. It traces a route along the beautiful McKenzie River, with two spectacular waterfalls, a lake so pristine it is called Clear Lake, lava flows, old growth forest, numerous log bridges and the aquamarine colored Tamolitch Pool where the river flows from an underground lava tube.
The race offers runners a technically challenging course with only moderate elevation gains and the inspiration of some of Oregon's most breathtaking scenery.
The 2027 race will be the 40th unofficial (39th official) annual running of the McKenzie River Trail Run, making it Oregon's oldest continuous ultramarathon.
Net proceeds from the race are used to support the McKenzie Bridge area non-profits. Our intent is to support local businesses and products as much as possible.
The event is operated by McKenzie River Trail Run under a special use permit from the Willamette National Forest and is an equal opportunity provider.
Age Groups
Entry includes swag and shuttles
Swag is included in your registration:
- A sunshirt from Terignota
- Post-race lunch and drinks
- Pre-race coffee and snacks
- Shuttles
- A Finisher's prize bottle of specialty brewed, award winning Alesong beverage
Cupless aid stations and drop bags
The race is cupless again this year. Aid stations and the finish line will not have disposable cups, so bring your own reusable cup, flask or bottle.
If you forget your cup, a limited quantity is available for $2 cash at packet pick-up and shuttle pick-up.
Aid stations
Aid stations are located every 4-6 miles and offer water, electrolyte drink, gels and typical aid station food.
Drop bags
Deposit drop bags at the shuttle pick-up at the McKenzie Community Track on race morning for delivery to Aid 3 at mile 16.7.
Race day updates
All race day details will be emailed to runners after registration closes.
Updates will be posted on our website (mrtr.org) and Facebook during the year.
Volunteering
Volunteers are part of the race day experience and receive priority registration for the next year (the ability to register during the month of December, before registration opens).
Contact [email protected] to volunteer.
Registration dates and entry
Registration opens at midnight on January 1st and closes at 11:59 pm on June 1st. Registration is first come first served, with a wait-list.
Early registration
If you qualify for early registration (you volunteered last year), you will receive an email with a link to register during the month of December. You will have until 11:59 pm on December 31st to sign up, after which your spot opens to general registration.
Awards and age groups
Awards go to overall first, second and third male, female and non-binary finishers, and to first male, female and non-binary finishers in each age group.
Age groups are 29 and under, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 and over.
Open winners are not eligible for age group awards, so there will be no age group award for the age group from which the open winner comes.
What your entry includes
Cancellation policy
Cancellations received before April 15th receive a 50% refund. Registration is not transferable to another runner or another year. Pregnancy or pregnancy-related cancellations: contact [email protected] to find a solution that works for you.
The course
The run begins at Carmen Reservoir off Hwy 126, just down river from Koosah Falls and Icecap campground. After a short gravel section, the course heads upriver on the Waterfalls Trail, crosses Hwy 126 and goes around Clear Lake to the Santiam Wagon Road and the first aid station. From there it goes through Clear Lake resort, crosses back over Hwy 126 and takes a bridge to the far side of the river. It then follows the McKenzie River Trail downriver to the finish line across from the McKenzie River Ranger Station.
Cut-offs and safety
Our intention is to have runners off the course by 3:00 PM. That allows 8 hours to finish the course (about 15:30 min/mile). Cutoffs will be enforced beginning at aid station #2 at approximately mile 11.5.
If you are cut, give the race official your bib. These cuts are for runner and volunteer safety. Please be respectful of volunteers and race officials if you are cut.
Location
Carmen Reservoir, Blue River, OR, USA Open in Google Maps
City insight: Blue River
Blue River is an unincorporated community in Lane County, Oregon, located on Oregon Route 126 along the McKenzie River between Finn Rock and Rainbow. It sits within the Willamette National Forest, where the Blue River flows into the McKenzie, and the Blue River Reservoir lies about five miles northeast behind a dam. Winters are cool and wet, and summers are dry and mild to warm, so late spring and early autumn are generally the best times to run or race here.
Know from the athletes
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