Wenatchee Marathon

Distances: marathon, half-marathon, 10k, kid's run
http://www.wenatcheemarathon.com/index.htm
This is a first-class effort by the organizers, with chip timing, lots of pre-race communications, medals for finishers, drop bags, great "poly" shirts and blocked hotel rooms with discounted (though still pricey) rates for runners. The event includes a marathon, and 10K and kids' races as well. The event is easily accessible for anyone living in western Montana and should be close enough to return home post-race. (You can postpone hotel checkout till after the race to get a shower before getting back on the road...) Except for a portion on downtown streets at the start, the course follows an asphalt trail and lies mostly within the area's river park system. The route crosses a ped bridge and then another large bridge over the Columbia (on the bridge's sidewalk). Course info has the run at about 600 feet elevation with a 60' gain, though there were several ups and downs. Some in the half-marathon may see it as a problem that the half-marathon starts first and the 10K and Marathon start shortly after with the result that slower half marathoners will be overtaken by the pace bike for the later races, before their turn-around point. Personally, I enjoyed seeing the faster people and the bikers were good about giving warnings before passing. With the river and surrounding mountains, this is a wonderful, scenic run, even on a cloudy day.
****reviewed by a Helena Running Club guest reveiwer****