Frequently Asked Questions

Listed below are the most frequently asked questions. Please contact the race directors if you have other strong concerns not answered below.

Is There an Early Start?
Yes, 5:30 am. You must have an illumination device (flashlight/headlamp) with you and be ready at the start on time with a race official present.

If I do the early start can I still win an age group award?
There are no awards. Early start is intended to accommodate people that will be spending more then average time on the trail or think they may have trouble with the time limit of 12 hours (6:30pm). It is not intended to get you back to the finish early - please do not abuse the intent of early start, thanks.

As reasonable as the above sounds, unfortunately it was not sufficient. We have had a number of runners who abused the system. So, starting this year, most of the races in the Oregon trail series are implementing a best possible time for early start runners. For this race, those who take an early start can get a best time of 10 hours. For example, if you take the early start and run 9.5 hours your finish time will be listed as 10 hours. If you run 10.5 hours your finish time will be 10.5 hours.

Can I bring my Dog?
You can bring your dog camping with you but you cannot run with your dog per the USFS permit required for this event.

Lilly and her human Brittany helping runners at the aid station.

When will the race results get posted?
We hope to have them up by the week after the run.

Where are the Drop Bag Locations?
See the course web page for all the details but the short answer is mile 6.1, 14.2, 25, 35.6 and 43.7. Drop bags must be turned in the night before, to be given to the Aid Station Volunteers in the morning before the race starts.

Where can I camp?
View the Accomodations web page for all the details, but the short answer is to reserve campgrounds sites on www.reserveusa.com. You must know the name of the campground you want to stay at to make a reservation on this site. Visit www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/recmen2.htm for campground information. The Mt Hood National Forest is an open camping area. If you can get off the road, you can camp there.

Can non-registered runners partake of the finish line food?
No, because of limited supplies we would prefer if only runners used the finish line food. Thanks!

Can non-registered runners pace registered runners?
No. The USFS permits, required for this event, allows 150 runners on the trial.

Is alcohol allowed?
No! By Federal Law. Violators can be arrested and PCT-50M USFS permit can be revoked for the following year.

What is the cutoff time?
12 hours. This is for your safety and the safety of the aid station volunteers. If you will not finish by 6:30pm, you will have to come back with the nearest Aid Station volunteers. The course will have sweepers, that will take you to the nearest Aid Station, if you cannot complete the event by 6:30pm.

How should I mark my drop bag?
You will provide your own bags (capable of being sealed/zipped). Mark your bag by the name of the aid station (see below). A desegregation area to leave your bags will be provided at the event.

Tag you drop bags with these Aid Station names:
Hwy 58 (crossed twice on out and back: mile 9.2 and 19.2)
SFA (Start/Finish Area; crossed once after start and before finish: mile 28.4)
WSM (Warm Springs Meadow: mile 39.3)

Please Note: Drop bags will be returned, after the Aid Stations close to the start/finish area for your pickup. Please do not put items of high value in your drop bags. PCT-50M is not responsible for lost or stolen drop bags. You must pickup your drop back at the finish area.

Shannon McQueeney receives a jacket for her 18th birthday
from Meg Upshaw and Deena