This year is all about bucket list items for me, and on Sunday, April 12, 2015 at the Bridge to Brews 10k, I’ll mark off one of a handful of remaining races that are (based on fellow runner feedback) annual musts in the Portland metro area. The event is still the only running/walking event with the coveted (and no doubt pricey) permit that allows participants to race over the Fremont Bridge, which for me is one of the most sentimental bridges in all of Bridgetown. The Fremont was the first bridge I crossed as an official Oregon resident, towards an apartment I’d rented, paid for, and had never seen, while the city lights sparkled that midnight in April. I can think of no better way to celebrate the two-year anniversary of my move to Portland than with an iconic local race and beer alongside a couple thousand of my best stranger-runner friends.
Even better, now that I’m finally situated in a regular paying gig, I could finally give back to my new home with my race entry fee by signing up for the VIP squad at Bridge to Brews. What’s that, you ask? For an extra $39 (before March 17) or $49 if you haven’t signed up yet, you can be treated like a Runner King/Queen for the Day all while donating funds to help battle the little-understood, destructive disease known as lupus via Molly’s Fund Fighting Lupus. Here’s what they have to say about themselves:
Founded in 2007, Molly’s Fund Fighting Lupus is a Portland, OR based non-profit that is changing the way people understand lupus, its diagnosis and its treatment. Lupus is a debilitating disease affecting approximately 1.5 million Americans and 90% of those diagnosed are women. Despite its prevalence, lupus is rarely understood and under researched. It can affect any part of the body, resulting in pain, inflammation, and systemic damage. There remains no cure for lupus, and it is estimated that 10-15% of those diagnosed will die prematurely due to complications from the disease.
But you know, maybe while you’re into being a good person, you’re like: “What’s in this for me?” By all means, let me share so you can get in on the goodies, too: one LUPUS SUCKS! t-shirt, a B2B participant tech t-shirt, catered breakfast, heated and covered rest area pre- and post-race, your own beer and bottomless mimosa area, private bag check (otherwise I never check bags because I HATE lines) and– they promise- “more great swag.”
Non-VIP registrants still get a great deal with their entry, including a commemorative tech t-shirt, stainless steel pint cup, tons of free, local beer (21+), post-race food, live music, a post-race party on the waterfront, and fab views of city from the Fremont Bridge. Here are the details that’ll get you there after you REGISTER HERE:
Friday April 10th – Packet Pickup: 11:00am – 7:00pm
Road Runner Sports 29 NW 23rd Place – Portland
Saturday April 11th – Packet Pickup: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Road Runner Sports 29 NW 23rd Place – Portland
Sunday, April 12th – RACE DAY at Waterfront Park
Doors open 7:30 AM
8:30 AM – Packet Pickup
8:15 AM – Kids Half Miler
8:40 AM – 10K/8K Races
$$$
10k
$54 (through Thursday prior to event / shirt not guaranteed)
$64 race weekend (Shirt not guaranteed)
8k
$54 (through Thursday prior to event / shirt not guaranteed)
$64 race weekend (shirt not guaranteed)
KIDS’ HALF MILER (shirt not included) $8 (through Thursday prior to event) or $12 race weekend
VIP EXPERIENCE $49 extra on top of any other adult race entry after March 17th