Snake River half marathon will close Wawawai Road

Palouse-area runners are gearing up for the Snake River Canyon Half Marathon Saturday at Wawawai. Some motorists could face travel delays or road closures in the area of the half marathon route. The river road from the Wawawai Park to Steptoe Canyon Road is slated to be closed from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. while runners complete the 13.1-mile course.

The run, put on by the Palouse Road Runners, is scheduled for a 10 a.m. start time. The flat course starts at the Wawawai Landing on the Snake River and goes upstream to the Steptoe Road intersection.

This year marks the 37th annual Snake River Canyon Half Marathon. The race has 750 people registered.

Runners will turn around near Water Canyon to make their way back to the finish line at Wawawai Landing.

Participants in the half marathon can pick up race packets at Birch & Barley in Pullman from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Packets can also be picked up at the morning check-in at Wawawai, which opens at 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

Birch & Barley will also offer a pasta dinner special to runners Friday night, and Saturday all runners who show their race bibs will receive a 10 percent discount on food and drinks after the race. Also available at packet pick up and race day will be Snake River Canyon Half Marathon Pint Glasses for $5.

The Wawawai Road will re-open as usual after the half marathon.