Queen of the High Road
The Queen of the High Road women’s half marathon in Wilsonville has been around for five years, and this year race organizers are adding a 10k run into the mix as well. The race evolved from a small field of around ten runners in the fall of 2009, and ever since then numbers have increased. It tends to sell out at its maximum of 500 runners and walkers.
What’s unique about the race is that it is the culmination of a free half marathon training program that starts each year in late January or early February. Every Saturday morning women meet for their long run of the week, and runners and walkers of all speeds take to the road. Training run locations were available in Wilsonville, Sherwood, West Linn, Tigard, Oregon City, and Beaverton. The training program is open to all women (12yo and up), and you can register for the event whether you trained with the group or on your own.
Queen of the High Road half marathon route
This year’s half marathon route is very similar to previous years’ route. Runners start in Wilsonville’s Memorial Park, start with a nice uphill to Town Center, take sidewalks and running paths throughout the town to the turnaround at Graham’s Oak Nature Preserve, then run back mostly the same way and finish again at Memorial Park. There are aid stations just after the 3 mile mark (same station at mile 9.5) and at the turnaround spot at 6.5 miles. The race course is measured to be reasonably accurate, but it is not certified, and it is self-timed.
The 10k route starts out the same as the half marathon, but runners/walkers turn around at the aid station at mile 3, and then finish miles 9-13 of the half marathon, making this “10k-ish” run closer to 7 miles.
At the finish participants are greeted with a finisher’s tiara and a pancake breakfast. Friends and family will be able to purchase food as well. Proceeds from the event benefit YoungLife of Wilsonville.
Queen of the High Road details:
When: Saturday, May 16th, 9am start (check-in 8:00-8:30am)
Where: Memorial Park, Wilsonville, OR
What: Half Marathon and 10k
Registration: Online here
Registration cost: $45; includes tech shirt, aid stations with water and race fuel, finisher medal, and post-race meal.
