
North Bend, United States of America · Saturday 12 September 2026
Chasing a Boston Qualifier? BQ Special: $20 OFF This Week – Use Code: CHASINGUNICORNS 1 in 4 Runners BQ here Ranked the #5 Fastest Boston Qualifier Course in the United States by FindMyMarathon Designed for PRs. Built for Boston Qualifiers. Cascade Express is one of the nation’s fastest downhill marathons—engineered for runners chasing a personal best or a Boston Qualifier on a proven, high-performing course. DOWNHILL SUPER SERIES: Part of the Downhill Super Series —featuring some of the fastest Boston Qualifier courses in the United States. COURSE: A controlled early pace followed by sustained downhill creates ideal conditions for negative splits and strong finishes. Pacers are available to help you stay on target and execute your race plan. The point-to-point course follows the Palouse to Cascades Trail with a smooth, consistent downhill profile ideal for sustained pacing and fast finishes. Total downhill: 1,414 ft Net downhill: 1,247 ft No Boston Marathon time penalty WHY RUNNERS CHOOSE CASCADE EXPRESS: ✔️ Smooth, runnable downhill (no steep drops) ✔️ Proven Boston Qualifier course ✔️ USATF-certified & accurately measured ✔️ Scenic Cascade views iconic Snoqualmie Tunnel section ✔️ Fully supported (aid stations, shuttles, drop bags) What Our Runners Say “Cascade express marathon 2025- This race was a gem. The course had some of the most breathtaking views, quiet, scenic, and fast. Big shoutout to Jess and Sabrina for being super responsive with my pre-race questions. Aid stations were spot-on. Volunteers held blue-striped cups for water, which made it easy to pick. Gatorade was available too, but I appreciated the clarity, no guessing, no fumbling...oh the best part - I am going to Boston because of this marathon” -- Biswanath “Smooth packet pickup, nice race shirt medal and bag, good weather, aid stations every 2 miles! Qualified for Boston at Cascade! The people working this event were very kind! Thanks for having me in your great state of Washington!” Courtney
Adjusted Time
1:40:47
Time difference: -4.2 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Cascade Express Marathon & Half Marathon is a half marathon held in North Bend, United States of America, scheduled for Saturday 12 September 2026. The course is run on road surface with 0m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 0m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Cascade Express Marathon & Half Marathon website.
This is a very flat course with only 0m of total elevation gain across the full distance. The course ranges from 0m to 0m above sea level — a 0m elevation range that makes it one of the flatter races available. Runners targeting a personal best will appreciate the minimal climbing.
Cascade Express Marathon & Half Marathon is run on road surfaces, which provide the fastest and most predictable conditions for marathon running. Road courses allow for consistent pacing and are typically the best choice for runners targeting a personal best time.
Our difficulty rating for Cascade Express Marathon & Half Marathon is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based half marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Cascade Express Marathon & Half Marathon against other half marathons to find the right race for your goals.
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