Just outside the city of Portland, Oregon, located in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, the mighty Columbia River separates Oregon and Washington State for a portion of its 1243 mile traverse from British Columbia to the Pacific Ocean. Over thousands of years the river has carved a deep canyon through an 80 mile stretch of the Cascade Mountain range, known as the Columbia River Gorge, resulting in steep canyon walls and elevations that range from sea level to 4000 vertical feet across various diverse climates, creating hundreds of waterfalls throughout the Gorge. Lewis and Clark scouted this area in the early 1800’s as they explored the western territory of North America. Strong winds, lush forests, and rapidly changing weather make this area stunningly beautiful and unpredictable.
This unique location sets the stage for the 2017 Gorge Waterfalls 100k race, directed by Rainshadow Racing. With bragging rights and tickets to the Western States 100 on the line, a strong field of ultra athletes will vie for victory as this years event promises to be a great showdown. Leading the credentials of this year’s field is Jim Walmsley, the 2016 ultrarunner of the year, seeking to return to the Western States 100 to avenge his 2016 experience where he lead the race on a course record pace for over 90 miles before a wrong turn ended his chance at victory. Walmsley, who is from Flagstaff AZ, is just a few weeks out from breaking the fastest known time for the Rim 2 Rim 2 Rim in the grand canyon. Today we will learn if Walmsley, one of the infamous Coconino Cowboys, has what it takes to win this event and return to Western States in 2017 to avenge last year’s devastating experience. So sit down, buckle up, and let's see what unfolds in the 2017 Gorge Waterfalls 100k.