Race Day Questions
Please check back periodically for updated event information or visit the FAQs page for additional topics.
Can I bring a bag? NO.
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
We will provide a “Sweat Bag/Gear Check” Service for your jackets, sweatshirts, etc. See note below for more details.
What is the event route?
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 Maps page for a visual representation of the course. The Great Columbia Crossing 10K is USATF Certified: #OR12025LB
What is the schedule on event day?
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. We ask that you familiarize yourself with our Schedule of Events Page and arrive on time. You risk missing the race if you arrive too late on race day.
How does electronic Chip Timing work?
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, to provide electronic chip timing for participants who pay the $5 chip timing upgrade fee. The chip is attached to the back of your bib -- 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, you must wear your bib on your front and on your top layer of clothing. 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!
Will there be an award ceremony?
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; the top 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.
Where is clothing storage (sweat bag bus) and pick-up?
The Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce provides a “Sweat Bag/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 will shuttle the sacks across the river, and they will be available for pick up next to the water tables near the finish line. These items must be turned in by 8:10 a.m. as the gear check truck will need to depart before the bridge is closed to traffic. These sacks are provided by our gear check team. Participants on late arriving shuttle buses may arrive after gear check has closed as they must depart by 8:15 a.m. to get across the bridge and in place at the finish line.
What do I need for packet pick-up?
Upon registering for the race, participants will be required to select a packet pick-up time slot between Thursday and Saturday, or, for an additional fee, you may choose to have your packet shipped to you or pickup on Sunday morning. If you did not opt to have your packet shipped, you are required to attend the time slot you signed up for. You can pick-up your packet during your designated time slot Thursday to Saturday at the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce Admin Building, located at 111 W. Marine Dr. Astoria, OR 97103. Sunday pickup location is near the shuttle loading area at Basin Street in Astoria.
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.
If possible, we recommend picking up your packet on Thursday or Friday, when lines are shorter. This helps ease the strain on our staff and volunteers on Saturday, our busiest day 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. 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.
Where do I get the snack and water?
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/Finish Line area in Astoria and is open on event morning. Use their walk up window to purchase your morning caffeine or snack.
How many bathrooms will be at the event?
There are 12 portable restrooms at the the finish line area/Basin Street shuttle stop. You will find 39 portable restrooms at the starting line at Dismal Nitch. There is also 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.
Will a shuttle bus return me to the parking lot after the race?
Yes. Shuttle buses returning to the parking areas will load from the parking lot off Basin Street (near Finish Line) starting at 9:30 a.m. and end at 11:30 a.m. Note, the bridge reopens at 11 a.m. so the first shuttle to return to Chinook will leave at that time.
Are dogs allowed on the course?
No pets are allowed.
Can I buy an event shirt afterwards?
Shirts are an optional item that are first made available to participants and then sold to the general public. Shirts are available while supplies last at the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce and at the Chamber booth near the finish line.
Where can I buy professional event photos?
We will have a professional event photographer taking photos on the course. We will provide a link on our homepage to the event photos once they are available.
When do I get my race results?
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, as everyone has a timing chip on their bib.
When should I mark my calendar for the upcoming Great Columbia Crossing 10K events?
The race is typically held the second Sunday in October.