Painted Hills Half Marathon
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Painted Hills Festival Half Marathon, 10K and 5K
The event takes place in Mitchell, Oregon on September 5, 2026. It offers three distances and runs from the Painted Hills Unit of the John Day National Monument into the historic town of Mitchell along remote backroads.
- Half marathon
- 10K
- 5K
The half marathon begins in the Painted Hills unit and follows a mix of gravel and paved roads toward Mitchell. The course includes an early section with 2 to 3 inches of gravel that later smooths to a better surface. The 10K includes roughly half gravel and a notable elevation gain. Elevation change is about 800 feet for the half marathon and about 600 feet for the 10K. Organizers note this is not a course for personal records.
Starts are staggered by distance. All runners board a shuttle at the Mitchell gym and are driven out to their respective starting points; the shuttle services each distance in sequence. Water and support stations are placed along the course.
Packet pickup is at the Mitchell School Gymnasium in the same parking area as Mitchell City Hall at 202 SE High St, Mitchell, OR 97750. Race shirts require registration by August 18 for guaranteed availability; any remaining shirts may be available at the Country Store in the park after the event.
Local lodging options and a nearby campground are listed by the organizer for participants traveling to the area. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.