The Dam Marathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k and 4.5 mile hike take place on Saturday, June 13, 2015 in Oakridge, Oregon.
“The most beautiful health event in the world”. “The most beautiful run of the west”. “The most picturesque run in all of Oregon”. These are just a handful of quotes used to describe The Dam Run, which occurs in Oakridge, Oregon on Saturday, June 13, 2015.
All races (except the marathon) start at Green Waters Park in Oakridge. If you are not familiar with Oakridge, it is located just south of Eugene. Five rivers run together in Oakridge, and there are ample lakes, trails and Willamette National Forest land to explore. For the 2015 event, participants may chose from the The Dam Marathon, The Dam Half Marathon, 10k run/walk, 5k run/walk or the Mountain Hike (4.5 miles). Choices abound, and there is an event for everyone!
Here is some background on the five events. The Mountain Hike will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Green Waters Park. This is also the same start time as those participating in The Dam Half Marathon. Dogs are welcome on the hike. Hikers will cross over the Willamette River foot bridge, then proceed to the trail head, which is located at about 1,168 feet elevation. During the 4.5 mile hike, you’ll reach the top of Larison Rock, the finish line, at an elevation of 3,619 feet. This will be a steep, challenging, and exhilarating hike! You can hike back down off Larison Rock when you are finished, or, there will be a van shuttle to bring you back down. Erica M. Photography will be onsite at the top of Larison Rock to capture your photo at the summit!
10k and 5k runners and walkers! Your race begins at 11 a.m., also at Green Waters Park. The 10k is a double loop of the 5k course. Your journey will take you under an 1906 train bridge (it was reassembled in 1948). After passing the train bridge, you will run back through the park and across the Willamette River foot bridge, to reach the amphitheater for the finish line. You’ll be greeted at the finish line with vendors, food, fun and live music!
Now, calling all half marathoners! I’ll be there racing in this distance! The Dam Half Marathon begins at 10:30 a.m. at Green Waters Park. All finishers will receive a finisher medal (woohoo!). First and second place overall male and female winners will receive a trophy. This will be an out-and-back course, with the turn around point located at the half-way point of the half marathon distance. I am a huge fan of out-and-back courses, they are so much fun! The first mile of the event will take you over the river and through the woods. Mile 2 follows the Willamette River and the site of aid station 1. Mile 3 is uphill on the westside of the Dam continuing along Hills Creek Lake. Aid station 2 will be at the 3 mile mark. Aid station 3 will be located at approximately the mile 5 mark. At the turn around (approx. 6.55 miles) you will find aid station 4 waiting for you with water and energy “boosters”. After making the turn around, you will proceed back to the start/finish line on the same course. Medical staff will be located at the 3 mile mark, with restrooms at mile 5 and 7 on the course.
Views from Oakridge! Gorgeous!Now, marathoners! It just rolls off the tongue … “The DAM Marathon” … if you have ever completed a marathon before, at some point during the 26.2 mile journey you will likely use that word (DAM). The marathon officially begins at 8 a.m., but please arrive prior to 7:45 a.m. at Green Acres Park so you can catch the shuttle to the start line. Here’s the deal, the start is at Hills Creek Dam. The gates are never opened for just anyone. As a marathon participant of The Dam Marathon, you will get the experience of running across the Dam. Holy moly! And, as the race directors say, ” … this is a lifetime experience … don’t be late, the gates have to be closed immediately after the last runner gets through … An honorable thanks to the Army Core of Engineers for giving The Dam Marathon runners this experience.” Lucky you! I’m jealous. There will be 13 aid stations located on the course for marathoners. Restrooms will be located at the 13.9 and 21 mile mark on the course. Medical support will be available along the course. The finish line will be at Green Acres Park, and will welcome you with live music, humm kombucha, food, and fellow participants, family and friends!
Erica M. Photography will be onsite taking photos at all the distances, and photos will be available for free after the race. Race proceeds will be given to Cystic Fibrosis Healthy Life Foundation.
I’ll see you out there on the half marathon course, I hope you will join me! This will be my first time participating in The Dam Marathon series of events. I’m super excited! Can’t wait to wear the event shirt, which says “I just ran the Dam Marathon” on the back, too.
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2015
Distance: Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k & 5k run/walk, 4.5 mile hike
Start Time: 8 a.m. for the marathon, 10:30 a.m. for the Half Marathon and 4.5 mile hike, and 11 a.m. for 10k/5k participants
Cost: $69 for marathon, $59 for half marathon, $20 for all other events
Register: Click here to register
