Left to right: Lindsay Ferrin, Mel Ortiz (Bacon), Bola Majekobaje, Cindy Morical
Photographer: Tim Fraser
Pre-Race Planning
Several of my friends suggested I sign up for the Bridge to Brews Run since I have never done it before and the thought of being able to run over the Fremont Bridge was very enticing. I signed both my husband and I up and started to plot what costume to run in. At first I thought I should get or make a beer costume but something told me I should dust off my bacon costume from the New Year’s Run. I remember it was lightweight and easy to run long distances in it so bacon it was.
Left to right: No Meat Athlete and Mel Ortiz (Bacon)
Photographer: Tim Fraser
The Day of the Race
My husband and I drove to Lilis-Albina Park on North Flint Avenue and Russell early that morning to get a coveted parking lot. Once we parked, I threw on my bacon costume and walked to the Registration table. Many were already yelling “bacon” from afar to get my attention. The photo below is a vegan runner who wanted to have a photo with bacon. At this moment I was glad I went with bacon. We waited for the rest of our friends to arrive and walked together to the start line and then we were off. It was a little wet from the rain that morning but temperature wise it was perfect. My bacon costume was very light and since my head was not covered, I could breathe. I swear I heard “bacon” being called at least 20 times. Running over the Fremont Bridge was amazing and seeing the cars zip past us and honking at us for support. People were great and would high-five me whenever we would do the turnarounds. I even ran into a client of mine who ran up to say hi to “bacon” and was surprised to find out it was me. My husband ran ahead to the finish and I was seconds after him with the chants of “bacon…bacon” calling me in. To top it off I didn’t have to purchase any additional beer tickets since I kept getting free tickets from all the bacon lovers at the beer garden…another plus on wearing bacon again for runs.
I am definitely wearing this costume again and may do so for my next half marathon which is the Portland Rock N Roll. One thing I have learned is Portlanders love their bacon and to see one running alongside them makes them want to run faster.
