Nothing compares to the beauty of running outside of civilization. On top of that, the Oregon coast is a naturally beautiful area. Tillamook is no exception and the Bay run offers a 5K and 10K option on August 15th. The fresh air is like nothing else as it blows right off the ocean. Views will be nothing short of amazing as participants traverse a wide variety of surfaces along the course.
You can register for either event up until August 9th for $30. That is a heck of a deal that includes a tech shirt, micro brew, chowder and trail bars. While I don’t recommend consuming all of these items at the same time, especially the shirt, that is a nice haul for the price. The site also mentions cash prizes, medals, and gift baskets. Sounds like an event that really likes to take care of its participants.
The official start location is Bayocean Spit, just west of Tillamook. Gun time is 10 am, which makes getting up a little early for those averse to early mornings. Parking is limited, so carpooling is encouraged, and there may be a shuttle option.
It is rarely a bad time to visit the Oregon coast during the summer and this would be a great way to start the day. This scenic and unique course will definitely be change from most people’s training runs and the distance options means that you have a choice between tempo or a more relaxed pace. Considering the race offerings, this is a reasonable price for the experience and the late start time is a bonus from those traveling from out of town. August 15th sounds like the perfect day to make the trip and enjoy some cross country running!
