Thunder River

Thunder River is a trail event in Cascade Locks, Oregon, on November 7, 2026, put on by Daybreak Racing. You can choose between a 50K (31 miles) and a 25K (15.5 miles) in the Columbia River Gorge, where the trails are known for steep climbs, big views and a lot of moisture in November.

The 25K is a strong option for runners with a trail half marathon behind them who want more climbing, while the 50K is best for those who have already tackled a mountain 50K or are finishing a well-structured first-ultra build. Because the Gorge is wet and technical in late fall, your training should include hill repeats, descending practice and a few long runs in rain to test jackets, gloves and shoes. Plan on 16 weeks for the 50K with back-to-back weekend runs, and expect a slower pace than on the road.