The Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce announced Friday afternoon that they have reached the maximum capacity of 3,000 registered participants for the annual Great Columbia Crossing 10K run/walk across the Astoria-Megler Bridge

This year’s event will take place on Sunday, Sept. 30.

New registration will close at midnight Saturday.

People can register before the cutoff online at greatcolumbiacrossing.com or in-person at the Chamber’s Visitor Center, located at 111 West Marine Drive in Astoria.   

Registration opened on July 1 and reached max capacity in record time, 10 days earlier than in 2011.  Participants are coming from several states including Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California and Texas plus Canada. 

The 3,000-person maximum capacity was determined to ensure all participants can be shuttled to the starting area in a timely and safe manner.

The Great Columbia Crossing is one of two major fundraisers for the chamber.

The event is sponsored by Pacific Power. The Great Columbia Crossing 10k run/walk has been certified by the USA Track & Field Association.  In addition to new electronic chip timing (sponsored by the CMH Cardiology Clinic), participants can now use their finishing time to qualify for a competitive marathon.

Registered participants may stop by the Chamber Office (111 West Marine Drive in Astoria) between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily to pick up their race packet starting on Sept. 21 for walkers and Sept. 26 for runners. 

On Saturday, Sept. 29, the chamber will be open later – until 7 p.m. –  for packet pick up.

On event day, the remaining packets will be brought to the foot of Basin street (near the shuttle boarding area) and available to pick up from 6-7am. 

For more information, check out the event website at www.greatcolumbiacrossing.com.