Cowpie Classic offers unique XC race for kids under age 14

NOTE: This race has a price increase on April 1 - read on for details ... I can't wait until my daughter can run a 1k. Because as soon as she's big enough, we're going to turn the Cowpie Classic into a family tradition. The Cowpie Classic is a race started in 2010 by two Cascade School District teachers, Rachel Reagan and Angie Smith. It's a run designed for kids: three distances, separated by age (but with some overlap, since all kids develop differently) - and a fun "cowpie" theme that gets kids giggling.

The shortest distance is a 1k (six-tenths of a mile) for kids age 10 and younger. There’s a 2k for ages 14 and younger, and a 3k for ages 7-14 as the longest event. The races are spaced out, so young athletes can run in more than one if they want – and so siblings and parents can cheer on their runners.

Funds raised from this event are used by the Cascade School District to support their physical education and science programs. There are a huge number of great local sponsors, including the wonderful team at Gallagher Fitness in Salem, who help put the event on.

Here are the details:

When: Saturday, April 26, 2014

What time: 10a

Where: Cascade Middle School in Turner, Ore.

Register: Using this registration form and sending it in with payment. Each race is only $15 if you sign up by 4/1/14, which includes the event t-shirt, finisher medal, post-run cookies, and a raffle ticket. Registration without the goodies is $12. If you sign up after 4/1 the price is $20 with the goodies and $15 without. If your child is running more than one distance, it’s only $5 per extra race. Please use a different form for each child. You can also register day of race.