In the Pacific Northwest, we are surrounded by lots of great local races but the passion and great cause the 17th annual Albertina Kerr’s Race For The Roses supports has had me excited to do this race for quite awhile.
While running through the streets of downtown Portland, you are also supporting Albertina Kerr’s programs that assist adults and children with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges to lead self determined lives and realize their full potential. 100% of the net proceeds from this event will benefit Albertina Keer which has been a non profit serving our community for over 100 years.
Participants who finish this event will receive lots of great perks too, along with supporting a great cause that helps support our community. Along with the professionally timed event, participants will get a tech shirt, a start and finish at the Oregon Convention center (giving all participants a warm and dry setting to hang out at and with real bathrooms!), celebratory champagne mimosas will await the finishers, along with food, massages, live music, and expo shopping. And that’s not all! Finishers get a free commemorative race photo download, a fresh-cut rose from one of the hundreds of volunteers at this event and all participants will be awarded a hand crafted finisher’s medal created by Port City. Port City is Albertina Kerr’s employment program that provides career and social support for adults with developmental disabilities. Opportunities include urban farming, artistic experiences with screen printing, wood working, production and more.
Last year’s event had nearly 2,000 finishers enjoying this event! The course starts at the comfort of the Oregon Convention Center and all three distances will cross the Broadway Bridge and wind through downtown. The 5K will head north on 9th avenue as the 10K and half will do, but the 5K will return to the waterfront and run or walk on Front Ave to cross the Steel Bridge for the finish line.
The half and 10k will continue to wind through downtown Portland and return to the waterfront around three miles into the race. 10K runners will hang a left on Front for a short out and back loop before heading back to the Steel Bridge for the finish. Half marathoners will turn right and follow Front Ave and beyond the Steel Bridge for more beautiful waterfront running and then entering downtown Portland streets again around mile 5 1/2 (just beyond the Waterfront Park). Just before mile 10, the half marathon participants will continue from downtown to a familiar part of the course they had run on at mile 2. Then participants will continue to Front ave and enjoy one last stretch of waterfront running before crossing the Steel bridge themselves for the finish. Course map pictured at the bottom of this post.
Recommended viewing locations for friends and family are at:
NW 21st Ave. and NW Front St.
SW Broadway between SW Harrison and SW Stark St.
Tom McCall Waterfront Park between Burnside and Steel bridges.
Photo taken from Race For The Roses Facebook page. Credit belongs to Chris Ho Photography from the 2013 event.
Race Details:
Website: Race For The Roses (and Facebook page can be found HERE)
When: April 19, 2015
* Half Marathon start: 7 am
* 10K start: 7:15 am
* 5K start: 7:30 am
Where: Oregon Convention Center (777 Northeast Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Portland)
Registration: Athletepath
Price increase is midnight Feb. 28th but until then, the 5K is $38, 10K $52 and Half Marathon $76.
Course Map:
