Race Preview: 2016 Beaverton Sun Run 5k and 10k

Hosted by the Beaverton Rotary, this year's Beaverton Sun Run 5k and 10k has a new course. If you ran the Joe Dudman 5.0 Birthday Run two years ago, you'll recognize the route as it's pretty much the same course, with slightly different start/finish and turnaround points. As the organizer of Joe's 50th birthday celebration run, I can tell you that this is a GREAT route. As a matter of fact, the organizers of the Beaverton Sun Run volunteered at Joe's birthday run, and I'm glad this excellent route is going to once again be part of a timed event! Those registered by July 3 will receive a tech shirt with their registration. The race itself is capped at 300 participants, and as of June 28, it's already more than half full. Given the metro area trend of last-minute sign-ups, I recommend you register online soon and don't leave it to chance! Proceeds for this event go into the Rotary's scholarship fund, so you can feel good about where your registration fees are going. First, the details: When: Sunday, July 24, 2016 What time: The 10k will start first at 8a, followed by the 5k at 8:10a, and then the kid's dash at 9a

Where: 9923 Arctic Drive, in front of ADAPT Fitness; please find street parking or park as directed by event volunteers

Register: You can register online here for the 5k for $30 and the 10k for $35. There is also a free kid’s dash.

The 5k course starts by running south towards SW Allen Blvd. on SW Arctic. At Allen, the route takes a left and heads west to the intersection of Allen and SW Scholls Ferry. A hard right puts you on the Fanno Creek Trail, which is a wide, shaded, paved path with many curves, little bridges, and few inclines. The 5k turnaround is on the path before it reaches SW 105th.

The 10k course is a bit more challenging. It starts on the same route as the 5k course, but instead of turning around before reaching SW 105th, participants will keep heading south to SW Denney Road and make a right to go up and over the 217. It’s not a huge hill; but it has the potential to slow things down if you’re not prepared. After flying over the highway, the course has a nice downhill, and then takes a left and gets back on the Fanno Creek Trail and running all the way to SW Hall before turning back. Upon reaching Denney again, the route crosses Denney and makes a short out-and-back on SW 111th before turning around and coming back to Denney. From there, it’s back up over the 217 and to the trail and the finish line.

Want to help out? Just email info@beavertonsunrun.com and let them know you can volunteer!

There are a number of local businesses sponsoring this event, including CostCo, ADAPT Fitness, the City of Beaverton, Play-Fit-Run, ProFocus, LCD, Hearthstone at MurrayHill, Schmidt & Johnson LLP, Koeber’s Interiors, and Luopold Optics, and Premier Community Bank.