FAQs

The 2023 Great Columbia Crossing 10K will take place in-person on the morning Sunday, October 8, 2023. The race starts at 8:45 a.m. Participants will need to be in line for the shuttles by 7:00 a.m. on Race Day. Shuttles will run from locations in both Astoria, Oregon and Chinook, Washington to the Starting Line at Dismal Nitch, Washington.

The event is typically held the second Sunday in October. Anticipated upcoming dates are:
Sunday, October 8, 2023
Sunday, October 13, 2024
Sunday, October 12, 2025

We keep a very tight schedule on race day to ensure our event starts and finishes on time, per our agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Washington State Department of Transportation. We ask that you familiarize yourself with our Race Day Schedule and arrive on time. You risk missing the race if you arrive too late on race day.

Participants start at Dismal Nitch Rest Area in Washington. They head southwest on State Route 401 toward US-101/Oregon Coast Hwy. Participants turn left onto US-101/Oregon Coast Hwy, cross the Astoria-Megler Bridge and make a left onto US-101/W Marine Drive. They turn left and head through the parking lot near Basin Street and follow arrows west to the Riverwalk. Participants stay on the Riverwalk and then turn right onto Hamburg Street, right on Gateway and then go straight to the Finish Line at the foot of Basin Street!

Check out the Course Map for a visual representation of the course.

The Great Columbia Crossing 10K course is USATF certified: # OR22006JH

Please check on our Registration Page for more updated information about cost, what is included with your registration and how to register. Registration opens the summer prior to the event.

All registrants must sign-up using our online application hosted by GetMeRegistered.com.

Registration will close on the Wednesday prior to the event, or when we sell out at maximum capacity.  Maximum capacity is 3,500 in-person participants.

We are limiting in-person registration to 3,500 participants. A Great Columbia Crossing virtual 10K option is available.

Virtual 10K participants can run their own course at their own pace, and post their times to the results page during the week of the in-person event.

Show-off your well-earned Finisher medal on Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #GreatColumbiaCrossing.

Virtual 10K participants do not qualify to win overall or age group awards.  A bib from the virtual 10K will not grant access onto the bridge for the in-person race.

Please visit the Virtual 10k Page for more information.  Virtual 10K registration closes a month before the in-person event to allow time for shipping these materials to our virtual participants.

We will recognize the top three overall male and female finishers; the top overall male and female Masters finishers; and top three male and female finishers in each age group.  Age groups will include: 14 & under, 15-19; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70-74; 75-79; 80 & over.

The race bib you are provided is unique to YOU based on the information you provide when you register.  Do not switch your race bib with someone.  All paid in-person race participants will be timed individually by Eclectic Edge Racing.

This is very Important:  The race bib you are provided is unique to YOU based on the information you provide when you register.  Do not switch your race bib with someone.

We contract with Eclectic Edge Racing, out of Eugene, Oregon, to provide electronic chip timing for all of our paid participants. The chip is attached to the bottom of your bib, on a perforated tear tag. As soon as you cross the start line, your time starts! The chip records your finish time once you step across the finish line. We will have a line of volunteers at the finish line who will take the perforated tear tag off your bib.

In order to get accurate timing (and easy photo lookup), you must wear your bib on your front and on your top layer of clothing so that it is clearly visible on the front of the torso and pinned in all four corners.

Chip timing doesn't mean you have to run or walk at a certain pace. Participants can run, jog, walk, skip, stroll, etc. Go at whatever pace works for you!

The Great Columbia Crossing 10K is a fun option for the entire family. It is an event enjoyed by both amateurs and skilled athletes. All ages are welcome to register for the event.

Children under 10 (as of race day) may register for free without chip timing. All in-person participants of any age must register in advance.

To include chip timing, in-person race participants must register and pay the registration fee, regardless of age.

Because each registered participant gets the same perks, registration is the same cost for everyone 10 years of age and older.

Every minor (age 17 and under) must be accompanied by an adult guardian at all times during their participation in the event.

There are significant costs to hosting a race of this size and our registration fees are determined based on the inherent cost-per-participant, therefore we cannot offer discounts. Event planning  post-pandemic continues to be challenging. The services and supplies that we rely on to bring you an enjoyable and safe experience have also been impacted and in many cases are more expensive than were previously.

The Great Columbia Crossing 10K is a fundraiser for the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce, allowing us to continue hosting this event year after year and continue providing the services we offer year-round.

Additionally, this event directly gives back to our community in two ways:
1) By employing/hiring/utilizing chamber members and local businesses for event logistics, supplies and services and
2) By giving donations to area nonprofits in exchange for services provided during the event. This really is a community-focused event.

Parking is available for the event in both Astoria, Oregon and Chinook, Washington. Follow traffic signs and traffic control personnel to the correct parking lot on race morning.

We have four locations in Astoria for participants to catch a shuttle to the starting area and one in Chinook, Washington. See descriptions and a coordinating map on this dedicated page, to choose the option best suited to you.

From these designated locations, a shuttle with transport you to the starting line at the Dismal Nitch and a return trip will be offered from the finish line area.

DO NOT attempt to drop off participants or watch participants begin the race at the starting line at Dismal Nitch Rest Area. All participants MUST take the shuttles to the starting line.  Space is limited at the rest area, and we need to keep the road open for buses transporting 3,500 participants.

Yes. Shuttle buses returning to parking lots will load from the parking lot off Basin Street.

Shuttle buses returning to East Mooring Basin and Astoria High School will operate from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Shuttle buses returning to the Port of Chinook (Washington) will leave at 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. (after the bridge reopens)

More info about shuttles on this page.

The Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce provides a “Gear Check” service! When you arrive at the starting line, you can find the “Gear Check” truck located at the east end of the Dismal Nitch Rest Area, past the portable restrooms. Look for the "Gear Check" sign! You can put your sweatshirts, jackets and anything else you don't want to carry during the race in a plastic sack (provided by "Gear Check") labeled with your unique bib number. We are not responsible for any lost items.

We will shuttle the sacks across the river, and they will be available for pick up next to the water tables near the finish line, look for the same sign and truck.  These items must be turned in before 8 a.m. at the starting area as the gear check truck will need to depart before the bridge is closed to traffic.

Any gear not picked up at the finish line by 11:30 a.m. will be transported to our visitor center office (111 West Marine Drive, Astoria).  Items not claimed within 30 days will be donated to a local charity.  Our lost and found items from the event course will be grouped with gear check, too.

NO BAGS ARE ALLOWED ON THE SHUTTLE BUSES OR THE RACE COURSE. This includes fanny packs, backpacks, running belt pouches, diaper bags, purses, camel backs, shopping sacks. NO BAGS are allowed. You can carry loose items in your pockets (keys, water bottles, etc.). This policy was created with local law enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security. This policy is in place for your safety.

Leave the drone at home!  NO DRONES/UAS ARE ALLOWED.  

This restriction is in place for both participants AND spectators. The majority of the course is located in a FAA NO DRONE ZONE.
We also want to keep all participants safe from potential falling hazard as the wind and weather conditions can be unpredictable on our course.

Failure to comply with any of our rules or course official instructions will result in expulsion from future AWACC events.

No pets are allowed.  Service animals are trained working animals, NOT pets. Please contact us to make arrangements if you will be accompanied by a service animal.

If you or a loved one needs special accommodations on the shuttle due to a disability, wheelchair, etc., please call ahead to let us know. We want to ensure you have the best possible Great Columbia Crossing experience, but we need your help to do so.

DO NOT attempt to watch participants begin the race at the starting line at Dismal Nitch Rest Area. Space is limited at the rest area and the area is secured in anticipation of the 3,500 participants gathering at the start of the race.

There are bleachers at the finish area. Spectators can walk into the finish line area to view the end of the course after 8:30 a.m. (no parking on site)

Your patience on race morning is greatly appreciated. There will be heavy traffic crossing the bridge early in the morning, as our shuttles to the starting area begin at 6:30 a.m. from three locations in Astoria, OR and one in Chinook, WA.  Return trips to parking areas will operate until 11:30 a.m.  More info here.

Starting at 8:30 a.m., the Astoria-Megler Bridge will be CLOSED to all vehicle traffic, to allow the race to start promptly at 8:45 a.m. The bridge will reopen to regular traffic at 11:00 a.m.  Washington HWY 401 will also be closed during the start of the race while participants leave the starting area heading for the bridge.

Members of the local community should plan ahead and make alternate travel plans for race morning. If you need to cross the river that day, consider changing your trip schedule to cross the bridge prior to the closure or after the closure. We appreciate the assistance and coordination from the many agencies that provide traffic control, security and safety for the event.

The Astoria-Megler Bridge is only open to participants from the race start at 8:45 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. This means participants have roughly two hours to travel about 5.2 miles of the 6.2-mile race course, as the final mile of the event takes place on city streets after exiting the bridge.

If you cannot cross the bridge within the two hour time limit, you will be picked-up by a “sweeper bus" at 10:45 a.m. This is necessary to ensure the bridge can reopen to vehicle traffic promptly at 11 a.m. The finish line will stay in place until 11:30 a.m. All participants MUST finish the event course by that time.

Those who sign up for this event should be able to sustain a walking pace of 3 mph (1 mile in 20 minutes) for the duration of the course.

The uphill portion of the bridge is a little more than 3,250 feet, which is about .61 of a mile. The hill starts about 3.9 miles into the race. The bridge crest is about 4.5 miles into the race. The grade of the hill is 5.62%, or a little less than a 4° slope.

Once you register for the race you will have the option to either pick-up your packet at the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce during the days leading up to the race or have your packet shipped to you for a fee (registrants wishing to have a packet mailed outside of the U.S. will be contacted with the International Shipping options and invoiced the balance for the increased postage).

Participants are responsible for providing the correct USPS mailing address during online registration. Please note that we are not able to bundle shipping fee for multiple packets sent to the same address. Packet mailing is per registrant, not per order.

We expect to have all packets mailed out of our office no later than September 22, 2023. If you opt to have your packet shipped to you, your packet will arrive by the 1st week of October to the mailing address you provided at the time of registration.

You will be charged an additional fee if you pick-up your packet on race day.

See the schedule page for additional information about packet pick up times.

More information regarding packet pick-up times and location will be provided upon registration.

Upon registering for the race, participants will be required to select a packet pick-up time slot between Thursday, October 5 and Saturday, October 7, 2023, or, for a fee, you may choose to have your packet shipped to you or pick up on race morning.

You can pick-up your packet during your designated time slot between Oct. 5-7 at the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce Admin Building, located at 111 W. Marine Dr. Astoria, OR 97103.

Each Great Columbia Crossing paid participant has their own packet, which must be picked-up prior to the race in order to participate. The packet includes their unique bib number, safety pins and 5 Clam Bucks. Participants that selected to ship their packets, or those that chose a Thursday or Friday time slot will be given 5 extra Clam Bucks for 10 total. Participants who purchased a t-shirt with their registration will also be given their t-shirt during packet pick-up.

Children under age 10 who registered as a free participant will also pick up their "kid bibs" at packet pick-up. These bibs are not affixed with a timing chip.

We recommend picking up your packet as early as possible, when lines are shorter. This helps ease the strain on our staff and volunteers on Saturday and Sunday, our two busiest days for packet pick-up.

You may pick-up a packet for friends and/or family members. If you are part of a group, please send one representative into the building to pick-up packets for all group members to reduce crowding. We will ask you for the following information for each of the group members:

- Correct spelling of the participant's first & last name (used during registration).
- City where the participant lives (used during registration).
- Your name (to make note of who picked up the packet on the participant's behalf).

Participants without a bib, included in your packet, WILL NOT be allowed on a shuttle bus and WILL NOT be allowed to participate in the 10K. If you are caught with a fraudulent bib, a bib from the Virtual 10K, or without a bib, you will be cited and banned from future Great Columbia Crossing events.

When you register online through GetMeRegistered, you should receive a registration confirmation via email after you have successfully registered for the event. You can select to have your confirmation email resent on the registration page or CLICK HERE.

Every registered in-person participant will receive 5 wooden tokens known as Clam Bucks, each worth $1 and can be spent just like cash.  Redeem your Clam Bucks at a variety of participating chamber member businesses in our area during race week!

A list of participating businesses and instructions on how to use Clam Bucks is on this page and will be provided to registered participants.

The Great Columbia Crossing is a fundraiser for the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce, allowing us to continue hosting this event year after year. Additionally, we give back to our community in two ways:
1) By employing/hiring/utilizing chamber members and local businesses for event logistics, supplies and services and
2) By giving donations to area nonprofits in exchange for services provided during the event. This really is a community-focused event.

Yes, however, only collapsible strollers are allowed, due to space constraints on our shuttles.

Strollers will be accommodated on all shuttles, but you must be able to collapse it to fit in the seat next to you. If you have an oversized stroller, please make your way to the Basin Street Shuttle Stop to use the cargo hauler shuttle. More info on shuttles here.

Strollers are encouraged to start in the back of the pack to keep the course clear for competitive runners. Please line up appropriately for your realistic pace and stay single-file to the side of the course to help everyone have a better race.

No vehicles or sport devices of any type are allowed.

Participants who need an assistive device such as a wheelchair or cane may bring them.

If you or a loved one needs special accommodations on the shuttle due to a disability, wheelchair, etc., please call ahead to let us know. We want to ensure you have the best possible Great Columbia Crossing experience, but we need your help to do so.

There will be volunteers at each mile marker cheering you on, but since everyone is starting at a different time, mile marker volunteers cannot provide accurate information regarding your time. Once you cross the finish line, however, you can request your exact time from our timing company, Eclectic Edge Racing.

We understand that many runners enjoy listening to music while they run, so earbuds/headphones are allowed at the race. However, keep in mind that you will still need to hear race course announcements for your safety, so please keep the volume of your music low enough so you can still hear what is happening around you.

We will have emergency medical technicians placed along the race route and at all of the mile marker locations on the bridge. There are also several law enforcement officers patrolling the route during the entire event who can respond to any emergency situation with lights and sirens. One ambulance is staged at the ODOT headquarters at the base of the Astoria-Megler Bridge in Astoria and one ambulance is staged at the foot of the bridge in Washington.

Overall

• Every paid participant gets electronic chip timing so your race starts when you physically cross the starting line, not at the "gun". This means there’s no need to crowd together at the starting line. You’ll get an accurate accounting of your individual race time regardless of whether you’re the first or the last person to cross the start line.
• To reduce crowing at packet pick-up you may select the option to get your packet mailed to you (for an additional fee).
• A virtual 10K option is available to accommodate those not able to join us in-person

Packet Pick-up

• To reduce crowding at packet pick-up, for an additional fee, you may choose to have your race packet mailed to you.
• If you opt to pick-up your race packet in-person, during the registration process you will be asked to select a date the time to come to the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce to pick-up your race packet. This will help us mitigate long lines and more evenly spread people out.
• Groups or families can send one person to pick-up all of their packets. (Your designated 'packet picker-upper’ will need to know the name, age and city of residence provided during registration to claim your packet.)

A light snack and water is available at the end of the race (Port of Astoria), straight ahead after you cross the finish line. Look for the WATER and SNACKS banners. A water station is also set up at the starting line (Dismal Nitch Rest Area). Look for the WATER banner.

Water is not provided along the race route because it occurs along a state highway that promptly re-opens to traffic following the race, leaving no time to clean up water station garbage.

Journey's End Espresso is located near the Basin Street shuttle loading area in Astoria and is open on event morning. Use their walk up window to purchase your morning caffeine or snack before you get in line for the shuttle or after you cross the finish line.

There are 12 portable restrooms where you load the shuttle buses at the Port of Astoria (which is also the finish line area).

You will find 39 portable restrooms at the starting line at Dismal Nitch.

There will also be a portable restroom at the top of the bridge, for mid-race emergencies. We are not allowed to place any more portable restrooms along the race course, due to the strict time constraints of our event and the need to reopen the highway to vehicle traffic on time.

Yes!  We have bling for you!  Finisher medals are given out to in-person race participants at the Finish Line on the day of the race.

If you register for the Virtual 10K, your finisher medal will be mailed to you.

2023 event shirts will be FOREST GREEN long sleeve and available in two fabric choices:

100% Cotton Shirt is a classic heavyweight 6-ounce ultra cotton with rib knit cuffs. (same brand/style we've offered at previous events.)

100% Polyester shirt is a different brand/style than we've had in recent years. Lightweight 3.8-ounce, roomy, highly breathable, moisture-wicking

Sizing is adult/unisex with one youth shirt size option available. Shirt selection may vary based on availability.

Click here to view size chart for the shirts.

The same shirt is available to virtual and in-person event registrants.

The initial results are posted on our Results Page within 24 hours. The final results will be corrected within 7 days. These results will display all of our participants whether you choose to run or walk, as everyone has a timing chip on their bib. (except for children under 10 who registered for free)

A short awards ceremony will begin promptly at 10:45 a.m. near the finish line. We will recognize the top three overall male and female finishers; overall male and female Masters finishers; and top three male and female finishers in each age group. If you are not at the ceremony, you will be responsible for picking-up your award after the event at the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce office, located at 111 W. Marine Drive in Astoria. If you would like your award mailed to you, there will be a $5 shipping charge.

Age groups and categories for men and women will include: 14 & under, 15-19; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70-74; 75-79; 80 & over.

The weather in October can be fickle. Some years, we've had the pleasure of running and walking under brilliant blue skies and sun. Other years, we've experienced downpours and heavy winds. Plan for the worst and hope for the best, but know that the race will still take place, rain or shine, as long as it is deemed safe for our team and participants.

You can find a list of area lodgings on our tourism website.

Lodging near shuttle stops include:

Basin Street Shuttle Stop - The closest hotels -- all within about 5-10 minutes walking distance:
Astoria Riverwalk Inn, Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa, The Lloyd Astoria Bayfront Hotel, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, , and Motel 6.

10-15 minute walking distance:
Atomic Motel, and Astoria Rivershore Motel

20-25 minute walking distance to downtown Astoria properties to Basin Street.

East Mooring Basin Shuttle Stop - The closest hotels -- within about 5-10 minute walking distance: Comfort Suites Columbia River, Hampton Inn Astoria, Pier 39 Astoria, and Benjamin Young Inn

Check out our tourism website for area information, or peruse our event calendar for ideas. Make plans to spend your clam bucks at participating local businesses.

If you find that you cannot make it to the in-person race, you have the option to transfer your in-person registration to another runner/walker until mid-September when bib #s have been assigned.

We do not keep a waitlist, so you must identify the person you are transferring the registration to. You can switch to virtual as another option.

Email our Event Coordinator at events@oldoregon.com to make your request and see if this can be accomodated.

Yes, but not directly.  You’ll need to sign up separately for virtual and transfer your live registration to someone else (see above).

Unfortunately, no.  We have a standing and clear “no refund” policy, as does nearly every other race like ours. We do understand that plans change, injuries happen, and various situations arise, but, we feel it is most fair to apply a uniform policy to all, instead of a subjective line of who should receive a refund and who doesn’t. All purchases and sales are 100% final, no exceptions. Refunds will not be issued based on weather conditions. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.

Great Columbia Crossing, even more so than most races, has a vast majority of our costs up front, before the race even begins.  As a nonprofit we do not have a pool of funds standing by to absorb those expenses and just “take the loss”.

A cancellation doesn’t benefit the chamber in any way, which is why we work so hard to make it as safe as possible each year.  there are significant upfront costs to hosting a race of this size and your registration fees get spent on those costs as soon as your registration is processed.  A cancellation does not create a windfall for the chamber -- just the opposite.  So we, like you, definitely don’t want that to happen and we will do everything we can to make sure the race goes on safely and as planned.