4th of July Mini-Marathon (2.6 miles)

The 4th of July Mini-Marathon is a 2.6-mile point-to-point run in Oregon’s Monmouth-Independence area, held on Independence Day parade day. It starts near Monmouth City Park and finishes on Main Street in Independence, with runners departing at 11:30 a.m. and following the same route as the Monmouth Independence 4th of July Parade. The “Mini-Marathon” name is literal: 2.6 miles is one tenth of a full marathon. The course is mostly downhill, dropping 47 feet from start to finish, making it short, direct, and suitable for walkers, kids, first-timers, and casual runners. The time limit is determined by the parade itself; participants must finish before the parade catches up. Finishers receive medals, top age-group runners can earn ribbons, and the route features neighborhood encouragement instead of a large-race atmosphere. Dogs are not permitted except service animals, and headphones are allowed if participants remain aware of their surroundings.