Fort Vancouver 12k and 5k occurring Sunday, March 1, 2015.
WooHoo!! Energy Events has revealed the Fort Vancouver Run course maps! I love course map reveals … Dorky, huh? I don’t care.
Fellow Run Oregon Blogger, Geli, recently highlighted the March 1st Fort Vancouver Run event. Check out her preview here.
Having grown up in Vancouver, I still have a soft spot for running in my “hometown”. I also enjoy running anywhere near “The Fort”, as we affectionately called in back in the day. The area is steeped in history, and the buildings and views within The Fort are absolutely spectacular. If you haven’t checked it out, this race will be a good way to take a tour through the historical Fort, and get your exercise in – yay for multi-tasking!
For the 7th annual event, Energy Events has added changed things up a bit. For 2015, the course choices are a 5k and 12k course, as well as a kids race. Also, there is a brand-spankin’ new start location, which will be the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (1001 E. 5th St. in Vancouver).
The Fort Vancouver Run is iPod friendly (be smart, keep them low enough so you can hear what is going on around you), and baby stroller friendly (please start at the back).
Soooooo … are you ready for the big course narrative?! I’ll keep it short and sweet, but I could narrate a long time on them. For those of you selecting the 5k run or walk, your course will be fairly flat. After crossing the lovely pedestrian bridge over the highway, you’ll see the sights along the Columbia River multi-use paths, zip under the I-5 bridge, travel past the gorgeous Esther Short Park to the 5k turnaround point, and follow the course back to your finish line near Pearson Air Museum. For the 5k, you will have one water station located at 6th and Grant, about the 1.5 mile mark.
The shirt for the Fort Vancouver 12k and 5k has been revealed! Long Sleeve Shirts in a Heather Charcoal. Wonderful!
12k participants (that would include me!) will get to see some of the course that the Vancouver USA Marathon and Half Marathon follows. This would be an excellent pre-marathon/half-marathon training run for you to get a pretty awesome glimpse of some major aspects of the course. Also, 12k finishers receive a finisher medal! Woohoo! Runners will travel from The Fort along 5th Street to East Evergreen Blvd. There will be hills on the 12k. After crossing the bridge going over Hwy. 14, you’ll have a nice decent into the Wintler Park area. You’ll then follow along the Columbia River and be awarded to spectacular views for your efforts on the hills. After passing the Vancouver Water Resources Education Center, you will continue past Marine Park and onto SE Columbia Way. This stretch is very flat so you can make up some time if needed. You’ll then drop back onto the multi-use paths along the Columbia River, over the pedestrian bridge to take your back to The Fort, and the finish line will be near Pearson Air Museum. The 12k will offer two water stations: Wintler Park (about mile 3) and Beaches/McMenamins (about mile 5.5).
Stick around after your race for the Kids races at 10 a.m., followed by the awards ceremony at 10:45 a.m. The Kids’ Zone is open beginning at 7 a.m. Your registration fee includes post-race snacks, timed race, a race shirt, participant goodie bag (love these), and an after party with music, ENERGY (it’s an Energy Events race, after all!), and lots of fun!
A portion of the proceeds from the Fort Vancouver Run will be given to the Fort Vancouver Trust! I really hope you see you out there! And make sure to get registered in advance to secure your spot, or register day-of-race beginning at 6:45 a.m. race day, Sunday, March 1!
Date: Sunday, March 1, 2015
Distance: 12k, 5k, kids race (registration required)
Start Time: 8 a.m. for the 12k, 8:20 a.m. for the 5k run/walk, and kids run at 10 a.m.
Cost: $40 is registering between Feb. 1 and Feb. 24, 2015. $50 day-of-race registration.
Register: Click here to register
