Summary: The Gorge Waterfalls 100k, put on by Daybreak Racing, is an out and back course along the Columbia River Gorge, passing waterfalls along the way over varying terrain including rocky trails, smooth single track and some pavement. Two sizable climbs, several intermediate climbs and lots of rolling ups and downs. Due to the Eagle Creek Fire in 2017, this race was postponed for years, with 2022 being the first year back under new race management, Daybreak Racing, and with a new start/finish area along the banks of the Columbia River at Marine Park in Cascade Locks

Lessons Learned from Race Reports

Save something for the second half – lots of people go out too fast and have a really slow slog back to the finish line
The course is continuously rolling and therefore exhausting over time
Lots of rocky sections, so tough on the ankles, and lots of moss covered rocky sections, so quite slippery
Some rocky sections, some smooth, some paved, and generally rolling to hilly elevation changes
Weather is very volatile so there’s almost no telling what kind of weather you’ll get
Knowing you’ll likely be slow on the way back, aid stations feel like they get further and further away. 9 miles is a long time if you’re going slow, so keep that in mind with regards to what you carry between each one.
Since so much has changed since the original course with Rainshadow Running, be sure to do your homework on the new course!

Gorge Waterfalls 100k Elevation

Total gain/loss: 11,000/11,000

Total climbs:

1x 1500’ climbs

3x 400-1000′ climbs

Lots of rolling ups and downs of 100-200 feet

Aid stations

Total aid stations: 7

Furthest distance apart: 9 miles

Locations:

No Name – mile 6 & 56
Yeon – mile 13 & 49
Cascade Locks – mile 22 & 40
Wyeth – mile 31, the turn-around and halfway point

What’s available: All fully stocked (with the exception of No Name the first time through at mile 6 which will be water and electrolyte only) with water, electrolyte drink, gels, fresh fruit, peanut butter and jelly wraps, chips, candy, and first aid supplies.