The sport of trail running is relatively young in this country but it is growing in popularity. Trail runners tend to cover long distances on the same routes hikers use, but at distances typically more on par with cyclists. With its combination of singletrack and beaches and its frequent trailheads and beach access points, the Oregon Coast Trail is well-suited to both short- and long-distance trail running. Loop routes including beach and adjacent trails often allow you to skip shuttles, though bus and rides from friends are another option.
Routes
NORTH COAST
In addition to miles of easily accessible beach sections, the north coast has many state parks with miles of singletrack trail, some of which connect with beaches to create large loop possibilities. They include Fort Stevens State Park, Ecola State Park, Oswald West State Park, and Cape Lookout State Park.
One great loop option starts at the OCT’s north trailhead, follows the beach south to the Peter Iredale shipwreck, and loops most of the way via park trails; extend your run by adding additional beach miles to the south, as you choose.
CENTRAL COAST
North of Florence, Cape Perpetua Scenic Area stands out for its large trail system that provides lots of loop options between the shoreline and the forested upland, as do the contiguous trails and beaches in Carl Washburne State Park and Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint.
South of Florence, Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area offers some 40 miles of dune-backed beach interrupted by the Umpqua River; pay attention to the tide, as some rivers and creeks (both north and south of the Umpqua) can be crossed only at low tide. Trails adjacent to the beach allow you to create a number of loop options of varying distances, including the Tahkenitch Dunes/Threemile Lake loop, Tahkenitch Creek trails, and Oregon Dunes Loop trails.
SOUTH COAST
Most of the trail running opportunities on the south coast lie within the state parks here and the beaches that connect them. By far the most expansive and relatively contiguous trail network on the south coast is the section of Oregon Coast Trail that runs through Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, between Gold Beach and Brookings.
Other substantial trail running locations, some of which combine singletrack and beach to create loops, include the Sunset Bay, Shore Acres and Cape Arago State Park complex; Bullards Beach State Park; undeveloped Floras Lake State Natural Area between Floras Lake and Cape Blanco State Park; Humbug Mountain State Park; and Cape Sebastian State Park.
EVENTS
Trail running races are a good way to experience some of the most scenic portions of the Oregon Coast Trail and adjacent trails in a supported way.
Daybreak Racing offers a three-part Oregon Coast Trail Series that takes place on the central coast in the Yachats—Florence area, with distance options ranging from 10K to half-marathon.
All Terrain Adventures offers running events on the south coast, including the Secret Beach 100K/50K based in Gold Beach, as well as shorter runs.
Ardor Adventures offers a variety of running events throughout the year in the Newport area.
Bivouac Racing offers multiple trail race distances at their Battle to the Pacific event out of Fort Stevens.
Southern Oregon Running Club offers a variety of races across the Coos Bay region, including a variety of distance options at their annual Sunset Bay Trail Runs.
