Race Preview: 2016 Lake Oswego Lake Run (5K, 10K)

The Lake Oswego Lake Run has got to be one of the longest running(!) races in the Portland metro area, seeing as how this year's will be the 40th edition. It's a scenic run around Oswego Lake on Mother's Day weekend, with 5K and 10K distances, plus a kid's dash. The 5K doesn't quite follow the shoreline of the lake; rather, it cuts through the top spur and then parallels the north shore for not quite half the distance before turning back to finish in Millennium Plaza Park. For the true experience of running around the lake, you will need to sign up for the 10K which covers the lake like a bag around a crocodile. (Oswego Lake looks like a crocodile with its mouth opening up.) This race is put together by the Lake Oswego Women's Club, and 100% of the proceeds from the run go to benefit Clackamas Women's Services, Children's Center, and Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA).

I ran the 5K four years ago and found it a challenging course, because the uphill portions are gradual but long, while the downhill portions are short and steep. But I could tell this race was a local institution because there were plenty of local residents who were sitting outside their homes to cheer passing runners.

Note that there isn’t much direct parking available. The shops at the plaza have a parking lot, but I don’t know if that’s open for non-shoppers on Saturday morning. In 2012, I parked north of Country Club Lane and walked about six blocks to get to the race, and I usually get to races only about 15-20 minutes before race time, so I don’t get the best parking spaces.

 

Lake Oswego Lake Run

When: Saturday, May 7, 2016, at 8:00 am (10K), 8:15 (5K), 10:00 (kids’ dash)

Where: Millennium Plaza Park, 200 1st St, Lake Oswego, OR 97034

Register: Online here ($42 for 10K, $32 for 5K, $15 for kids’ dash – all include race shirt and swag bag) – register by April 22 to guarantee race shirt