Hurricane Creek Half Marathon

The Hurricane Creek Half Marathon is a scenic, high-elevation road and trail event held in Joseph, Oregon, on the edge of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Scheduled for Saturday, May 23, 2026, the event is organized by Runners of the Sage to promote healthy lifestyles and support the Wallowa County Farmers Market. The courses start at the Joseph City Park and offer participants constant views of the Eagle Cap Wilderness and the Seven Devils Mountains.

The event is hosted in Wallowa County, where outdoor recreation demographics often mirror the local rural population. In Oregon's rural endurance events, participation is approximately 86.4% White. Other participant groups include roughly 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 3.8% Asian, and 1.2% Black. In Wallowa County specifically, the general population is approximately 90% White and 0.7% Black, with Indigenous communities (including the Nez Perce heritage) representing about 1.1%. These figures indicate that while trail and road racing in the Wallowas is a cornerstone of local culture, representation from non-White groups remains lower than the statewide averages for urban endurance events.

Event Logistics and Participant Information:

• -- The Course: The Half Marathon is a challenging out-and-back that climbs 900 feet in total elevation. It consists of 6 miles of maintained dirt road sandwiched between 6 miles of paved road.
• -- Packet Pickup: Early pickup is available on Friday, May 22nd, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Quickhatch in Joseph. Race-day pickup starts at 6:30 AM at Joseph City Park.
• -- Aid Stations: For the Half Marathon, stations are located at Mile 3, Mile 6.5 (Hurricane Creek Trailhead), and Mile 10.
• -- Awards: Top 3 male and female overall finishers in the Half, 5 Mile, and 5k will receive awards. All finishers receive a commemorative medal.
• -- Cutoff and Post-Race: A 4-hour cutoff is enforced for the Half Marathon. Afterward, participants are invited to the Wallowa County Farmers Market for the season kickoff.
• -- Early Start: A 7:30 AM early start is available for the Half Marathon, though these runners are not eligible for overall placement awards.
• -- Registration: Online registration closes on Thursday, May 14, 2026. While day-of registration is available at the park, shirts are not guaranteed for late registrants.

The Hurricane Creek Half Marathon combines physical challenge with the community-focused atmosphere of a small-town Oregon festival, offering a premier early-summer racing experience.