This week, we are heading downtown for a 2.5-mile loop that many, many runners have done at some point: the Esplanade Waterfront Loop (No Stairs). Popular with those that frequent downtown and those making a special trip, this loop starts and ends on the east end of the Hawthorne Bridge (by the fire station) and ends on the bridge (before you go down the ramp.) It’s also important to note that on the west bank, this loop crosses under the Hawthorne before looping up and over it, running on the southern pedestrian walkway.
This is a flat route, except for where you have to climb to get back up on the bridge near the end. At the small amphitheater on the west side of the river, where the Portland Spirit dock is near the Salmon Springs Fountain, stay up on the sidewalk and don’t dip down and then back up.
As of June 9, 2016, the course records are:
Women’s: Amy Van Tassel from December 2014, 16:38 (6:24 pace)
Men’s: Dave Davis from February 2016, 14:43 (5:40 pace)
So, can you beat their times and become the leader of this segment? You have until Thursday, June 23 at noon to try and break the record and see your name in “lights” on Run Oregon!
The route from two weeks ago was beat before last week’s segment (Trillium Drive Straightaway), and Chris Kimbrough and Dean A. still hold those segments with their impressive efforts on May 30, 2016 at the ORRC Up the Lazy River.
Strava is an online training and racing log for runners and cyclists. The basic account is free and requires you to create a login. There is also a premium version, but in order to run and record routes as described in this post, you do not need to subscribe to their premium service. Note that this is not sponsored by Strava, nor endorsed or supported in any way by Strava. It’s just a fun thing we’re going to do to give some speedy shout-outs to area runners and pose a challenge to those of you willing to take on their segment.