Columbia County approves permits for 2025 Vernonia marathon and Reach the Beach event

The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners convened on February 26, 2025, to discuss and approve permits for two upcoming road events: the 2025 Oregon Road Runners Club (ORRC) Winona Marathon and the Reach the Beach Road event.

The meeting began with Sarah Smith, an engineering technician from the Public Works Department, presenting the first item on the agenda—the ORRC Winona Marathon scheduled for April 13, 2025. The event is expected to attract around 600 participants, 50 volunteers, and 15 support vehicles, utilizing a mix of city streets in Vernonia and county roads. The marathon will commence at Camp Cedar Ridge at 6:30 AM, with the race starting at 8 AM and concluding by 3 PM. Smith reported that no concerns were raised by local agencies regarding the event, and the board unanimously approved the permit, authorizing Mike Russell to sign the necessary documents.

Following this, the commissioners reviewed the permit for the Reach the Beach Road event, planned for May 17, 2025. This event anticipates approximately 450 participants, 40 volunteers, and 2 support vehicles, and will take place on a combination of highways, city jurisdictions, and county roads. The event will begin at Topaz Farms in Portland at 6 AM and is expected to end by 1 PM.

Concerns were raised by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office regarding safety on the narrow and curvy Scappoose Vernonia Highway, which could pose risks due to the number of cyclists. Smith noted that the event organizers have strategies in place to mitigate these risks, including spreading out participants and placing caution signs along the route.

Additionally, Scappoose Fire and Rescue expressed concerns about medical access along the route. The event organizers assured the board that they have contracted with MetroWest Ambulance for medical support and have established communication protocols for emergencies. Scappoose Public Works also requested additional signage along the Crown Z Trail to alert other trail users of the event, which the organizers agreed to implement.

The board acknowledged the previous challenges faced during the event's inaugural year but noted improvements made in the following year, including the installation of reader boards along the route. No incidents were reported from last year's event, contributing to the board's confidence in approving the permit for this year's Reach the Beach Road event.

In conclusion, both permits were approved, with the board emphasizing the importance of safety measures and community communication as the events approach. The next steps include finalizing the indemnity agreements for both events, which will be addressed in the upcoming consent agenda.