Yakima River Canyon Marathon
The Lowdown
Yakima River Canyon Marathon is a USATF-certified, Boston-qualifying point-to-point race through the Yakima River Canyon on State Route 821, running from Ellensburg to Selah in central Washington. Organized by the Yakima Hard Core Runners Club since the early 2000s, the marathon has grown into a community fixture even after a brief pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. The course follows the Yakima River downstream past canyon walls and basalt cliffs, netting roughly 250 feet of downhill overall despite two significant climbs, including a steep hill near mile 23 before the final descent to the Selah finish. Field sizes stay small and intimate, with the accompanying half marathon capped at 200 runners for shuttle logistics while the marathon itself remains uncapped. Entry includes a T-shirt, finisher medal, finisher certificate, and race-day transportation, with a seven-hour course-closure limit.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Moderate rolling hills
Participants
Field Size
Intimate field
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Moderate spectator support
Boston Qualifier
This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event. Achieve your qualifying standard here on a verified course.
Yakima River Canyon basalt cliffs and canyon walls
Yakima River
Selah Civic Center (race headquarters and finish-area bus hub)
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Ellensburg to Selah, Washington, USA
US
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- No known age minimum enforced beyond general event liability waiver; estimate only
Required Documents
- Photo ID
Entry Methods
- Online registration via RunSignUp
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Entry fees are non-refundable per the official registration page
Course is USATF certified and a recognized Boston Marathon qualifier.
Point-to-point course starts on Canyon Road in Ellensburg and finishes in rural Selah near the canyon's mouth.
The accompanying half marathon is capped at 200 runners because participants are bused to the 13.1-mile start; the marathon has no field cap.
Race weekend includes Friday packet pickup at the Selah Civic Center.
2025 marathon field had 123 finishers (84 male, 39 female); recent editions have ranged roughly 65-125 marathon finishers.
Founded in the early 2000s by the Hardcore Runners Club of Central Washington (organizers Bob and Lenore Dolphin); the 2020 edition was cancelled due to COVID-19.
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Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
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