I need to start this preview of the 2015 White Salmon Backyard Half Marathon (held in..you guessed it…White Salmon, Wa.) with these words…
DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THIS RACE! 🙂
Let me start off with the standard info on this race. On June 20, 2015, the race will begin at the Rheingarten Park at 10 am for runners and 8 am for hikers. Yes, I said hikers, but we’ll discuss that later. Check-in and day of race registration will open up at 7 am, followed by a 9:50 am pre-run meeting at the start line, which will be on NW Lincoln St. Park bathrooms will be available for use before the race begins, which will come in handy for those with long travel times. No dogs or strollers are allowed on the course.
The cost of this race? FREE!!!!!
However, if you can spare a little change, a suggested donation of $20, or less* or more, which will go to the White Salmon Columbia High School Cross Country Boosters, who will be staffing the aid stations, and the Columbia Gorge Running Club student scholarship fund, is greatly appreciated!
Now, for the best part…….THE COURSE!!
The website describes the course as “a challenging climb and descent with gorgeous views of the Columbia River. The course will be marked with flour and orange surveyors tape. The trail portion of the course is about 11.5 miles and is a big loop. The road portion of the course is one mile, each way, out and back to get you to and from the trail. The road portion starts at the corner of NW Lincoln St and N Main Ave. Head East on NE Lincoln St then South on NE Church Ave then East on NE Tohomish St then North on NE Park Ave down past the gun range. You will be returning from the trail about midway up NE Park Ave at the gun range. There will be 3 aid stations with an additional “light” aid station at the start of the steep climb.The first full aid station is about 40 minutes to over an hour from the start depending on how quick you are. For most of us the first aid station will be a little over an hour away. so make sure to bring a water bottle. Especially if it’s HOT!!”
I ran this course last year having no idea what the course was like or what to expect, and I can tell you it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had on a course. Yes, it was challenging. A lot of it felt more like hiking than running, but who cares! It felt like a real adventure….as if I was running toward some amazing treasure, which came in the form of stunning scenery. You would be seriously missing out on a hidden gem of a race if you didn’t give this one a try…
Did I mention it’s FREE!! 😉
Give yourself the satisfaction of completing this challenging, yet remarkable course, as well as helping to support the next generation of runners!
COST: Free (donations appreciated)
DATE: June 20, 2015
LOCATION: Rheingarten Park, White Salmon, Wa.
WEBSITE: http://www.columbiagorgerunningclub.com/wsbackyardhalf.php
