Leavenworth Marathon
Leavenworth, United States · October · Independent
Why people love it
- Sunrise start in Icicle Canyon with river and mountain views; fall colour in early October.
- Net downhill of about 400 m (1,312 ft); USATF certified Boston qualifier.
- Aid every 3 to 5 km (2 to 3 mi), with gels at miles 10 and 21.
- Small field of about 300 finishers, so no crowds on the course.
- Oktoberfest weekend and Bavarian village for post-race food.
Watch out for
- Mandatory shuttle bus from 5:45 a.m.; driving to the start gets you disqualified.
- About a third of the course is dirt or sand trail, per one runner.
- Early 14.5 km (9 mi) descent hits quads hard by mile 20 (32 km).
- Oktoberfest weekend means full hotels and higher prices.
- Few spectators in the canyon and on trails; shirt cost $20 extra in 2026.
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 28% of the overall score.
Toughness: Tough
- Racer satisfactionLoved4.3
RaceRaves 4.3 from 23 ratings, MarathonGuide 5.0. Dissent is small: one 2026 runner called it low budget, and some disliked the sand. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.0
RaceRaves production 4.0. Aid, marking and volunteers are praised. Dings: no expo, shirt not included, parking limits and a crowded merge with half marathoners. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly3.6
Many first-timers loved it and the 6 hour cutoff is standard. Against that: a mandatory pre-dawn bus, a quad-hammering descent and late sand. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast3.6
Big net downhill, USATF certified, and one runner PR'd by 18 minutes. Sand late and sore quads offset it. Winner ran 2:35:19 in 2023. · Low confidence
Course
Scenery, road surface, closures, and room to run. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Course scenerySpectacular4.8
RaceRaves scenery 4.7. Sunrise down Icicle Canyon with river, mountains and fall colour, then the Bavarian village. Nearly every reviewer gives it top marks. · High confidence
- Room to runRoomy4.0
Small field of about 310 finishers, so little congestion. Some crowding where half marathoners join the route and on narrow trail. · Low confidence
- Road surfaceMixed2.6
One reviewer put a third of the course on sand or dirt; another had the last 4.8 km (3 mi) on rutted sand. · Medium confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed3.3
Canyon road and trails are low traffic and flagged, but no source confirms full closure. A 2026 half runner noted bystanders crowding a narrow trail. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Course flatnessRolling3.4
Gain is not published. Long descent early, then a flat valley and a hill reported by a 2005 half runner. Treated as rolling. · Low confidence
- Net downhillBig drop4.5
Net drop quoted at 400 m (1,312 ft) or 446 m (1,462 ft), a large fall. Listed as a Boston qualifier. · Medium confidence
Support
Crowds, aid stations, the start, and pacers. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Start logisticsSome waiting3.4
Runners must ride a shuttle from town between 5:45 and 6:15 a.m. for a 7:00 start; driving is not allowed. Works, but unforgiving. · Medium confidence
- Pacers and timingSome pace groups3.3
Chip timing is confirmed. No source mentions pace groups, and the field is small. · Low confidence
- Crowd supportDecent2.6
Small field and a remote canyon start. Reviewers mention good support at the village and finish. Not a big-crowd race. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsGood4.3
Water and sports drink every 3 to 5 km (2 to 3 mi), gels at miles 10 and 21. Volunteers are praised. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 14% of the overall score.
- WindMostly calm4.2
Canyon and river valley route; no reviewer mentions wind. · Low confidence
- Air temperaturePleasant4.4
Race-morning lows of 6 to 11 °C (42 to 52 °F), highs of 17 to 27 °C (62 to 80 °F). Mostly ideal. · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.3
Early October is usually dry, but wildfire smoke and a hot 2022 (27 °C (81 °F), 80 °F) are risks. One start was 4 °C (39 °F). · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints2.7
Remote canyon start with shuttle only, though the village laps and finish give a few chances to see runners. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeLow4.0
Town is about 350 m (1,150 ft); the canyon start is higher, perhaps 750 m (2,500 ft). No real altitude effect. · Medium confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityBook early3.0
Race weekend coincides with Oktoberfest and the town is small. Wenatchee, 37 km (23 mi) away, is a fall-back. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal2.8
Oktoberfest weekend in a tourist town pushes prices up. No runner reports actual prices. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable3.7
Finish at Enchantment Park, a short trip from the Bavarian village. Marathoners shuttle from town to the start, so no car is needed. · Medium confidence
- Travel easeOne connection2.6
Nearest airport is Pangborn in Wenatchee, 37 km (23 mi) away. Most visitors drive about 190 km (118 mi) from Seattle, roughly 2.5 hours. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSome complexity3.2
Mandatory shuttle and early start add steps. One reviewer reported no expo and a short merchandise line. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGreat4.7
Reviewers like the Bavarian village, Oktoberfest atmosphere and finish-line food. A race-cation feel is a recurring theme. · Medium confidence
Entry
How hard it is to get a place, and what you get for the fee. Counts for 8% of the overall score.
- Getting inEasy3.8
Open entry, but the organiser warns the marathon may sell out. Day-of-race entry was offered for the 2027 edition at $175. · Medium confidence
- Value for moneyFair3.0
2027 fees run $110 early to $175 on race day. The medal is a bottle opener, but shirts cost $20 extra in 2026. · Medium confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Leavenworth, Chelan County, United States
- Typical month
- October
- Latest or next date
- 2 October 2027
- Organiser
- Independent
- Field size
- About 310 athletes
- First held
- 2005
- Distances
- 42.2 km (26.2 mi)
- Course type
- laps
- Start time
- 07:00
- Cutoff
- 6 hours
- Boston qualifier
- Yes
- Surface
- Mixed: paved roads and paths, dirt roads, riverside trail; reviewers report sandy sections
- How to get in
- open
- Sells out
- Yes
- Entry fee
- About $150
- Air temperature
- 6–20 °C (43–68 °F)
- Humidity
- Dry autumn mountain air
- Altitude
- 350 m (1,150 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Pangborn Memorial (EAT), Wenatchee, 37 km (23 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Leavenworth village, Wenatchee
- Booking
- Race weekend coincides with Leavenworth Oktoberfest, so rooms in town fill and prices rise. Book months ahead or stay in Wenatchee or Cashmere.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceRaves Leavenworth Marathon & Half MarathonRaced 2025 · aggregator · Positive
Rated 4.3 of 5 by 23 runners, scenery 4.7, production 4.0, swag 3.3. Reviewers agree on a gorgeous sunrise canyon descent, strong volunteers and a friendly small field. Complaints: sandy and unpaved sections, tough on quads, limited swag, shirt extra, and one 2026 marathoner found it low budget with no expo.
“It was BY FAR my favorite course I have done.”
- MarathonGuide Leavenworth Marathon reviewRaced 2023 · aggregator · Positive
Rated 5.0. Called it a standout fall race and a race-cation timed with Oktoberfest. The first 10 miles (16 km) are a gradual descent that left quads sore by mile 20 (32 km). Mild crowding where marathoners meet half marathoners; many first-time marathoners; good finish festivities and volunteers.
“Overall incredible race and weekend!”
- Bob Dolphin on MarathonGuide, inaugural Leavenworth Oktoberfest MarathonRaced 2005 · article · Positive
Report on the first edition with about 280 participants. Two clockwise loops, canyon climb to a turnaround, dirt trails beside the river, aid about every 2 miles (3.2 km) and helpful volunteers. Calm and overcast at 50s to 60s °F (10 to 20 °C (68 °F)), spectacular fall colour. Route has changed since, so treat course details as dated.
“The fall color of trees and shrubs was spectacular.”
- Run Oregon preview of Leavenworth Oktoberfest MarathonRaced 2014 · blog · Positive
Preview of the 2014 race: mixed asphalt and dirt, aid every 2 to 3 miles (3 to 5 km), $100 marathon fee then, six hour limit. A reader comment says he ran it the year before and loved it. Preview, not a first-hand report.
“A stunningly beautiful course in the scenic town of Leavenworth.”
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Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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