County conditionally approves ORRC Winona Marathon and Reach the Beach permits; safety conditions noted

Columbia County commissioners on Feb. 26 authorized a permit for the Oregon Road Runners Club (ORRC) Winona Marathon in Vernonia and gave conditional approval for the Reach the Beach road and trail bicycle event, with the latter contingent on receipt of insurance documentation.

Engineering technician Sarah Smith told the board the ORRC Winona Marathon is planned for Sunday, April 13, 2025, and "they're expecting approximately 600 participants, a 50 volunteers, and 15 support vehicles," using Vernonia streets and county roads. Smith said staff solicited comments from local agencies and did not receive concerns since last year's event; staff recommended approval and requested authorization for Public Works Director Mike Russell to sign the permit.

The Reach the Beach bicycle event is planned for Saturday, May 17, 2025, with an expected 450 participants, 40 volunteers and two support vehicles. Smith said the route uses a combination of city streets, county roads and a section of the Crown Z (Crownsey) Trail between Dyke Road and the Scappoose-Vernonia Highway. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office raised safety concerns about narrow, curvy stretches of Scappoose-Vernonia Highway and the larger number of cyclists. "They do believe it's going to be a safety risk," Smith said, adding that event organizers have proposed mitigation including caution signage, flaggers at a key intersection and motorcycle and support-vehicle assistance.

Scappoose Fire and Rescue expressed concerns about ambulance access on portions of the trail; Smith said organizers contract private ambulance support and also station motorcycle support, radio-equipped ride command and ham radio operators at rest stops. Scappoose Public Works asked for additional signage on the trail to warn regular trail users; organizers agreed to add extra signs.

Staff recommended conditional approval of the Reach the Beach permit pending submission of insurance documents and placing the indemnity agreement on consent once insurance is provided. The board approved the Winona Marathon permit and conditionally approved the Reach the Beach permit with the insurance condition; the indemnity agreement will be signed after required insurance is received.

Commissioners noted prior permitting problems the first year the Reach the Beach route returned and said they expect public complaints on some highway segments; no injuries were reported to staff from last year's events.

Both permits are localized to Vernonia and Scappoose areas and require coordination with city jurisdictions for trail sections under city control.