Race Preview: Uberthons’ Scholarship Run — apply now!

Although last year's terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon was about 3000 miles away from us in Portland, there were many Oregon runners there, including Run Oregon's Joe Dudman, and, like runners everywhere, people here wanted to help in whatever way they could. Run Oregon teamed up with local race organizer Uberthons to put together Run for Boston, a 5K race at Champoeg Park. It was a great event, with somber reflections by Boston participants, a celebration of running, and a deep feeling of community. (Read my recap of Run for Boston here.) This year, to commemorate the Boston Marathon weekend, Uberthons is putting together a two-race event called the Scholarship Run.

That’s right, two races! The first is a 5K at Champoeg Park on April 19, 2004, at 4 p.m., and the second is a 5K at Salmon Creek Park in Vancouver, Washington on April 21, 2004, at 7 p.m.

What makes this race unusual is that it’s a scholarship fundraiser. The net proceeds from the events will go to fund scholarships. Who can earn these scholarships? Any high school seniors who’ve run or who’ve had a parent run in an Uberthons race can apply by completing the application form. A committee of runners selected by Uberthons will judge the applications and select the winners, who will be announced on the respective race days.

Champoeg Park is a terrific venue for a race. It’s pretty flat and tends to be fast. I’ve raced there twice and PR’d both times.

Scholarship Run (St. Paul, OR and Vancouver, WA)
When: 4/19 at 4 p.m. (Oregon); 4/21 at 7 p.m. (Washington)
Where: Champoeg Park and Salmon Creek Park
Register: Online here (Champoeg); here (Salmon Creek); $30 includes race medal.