We all have participated in a myriad of races of different distances. However, the Operation Jack Northwest Run may be one of the more different runs out there. There is technically no set distance, as runners will run as many laps as they wish on the on the 0.94 mile loop at Summerlake Park in Tigard. The course is open for 6 hours, so that distance can incorporate everything from a mile to an ultramarathon. Here’s how the race came to be:
In 2010, Sam Felsenfeld set out to run marathons as way to raise awareness and money for autism research in the name of his son Jack (who is severely autistic). Sam ran 61 marathons and raised about $100,000 for Train 4 Autism (an organization that helps raise money for various autism organizations). The final race of that year was on December 26 in Southern California. His supporters here in the Pacific Northwest held an event on the same day which was a 6.1 hour run (in honor of Sam’s 61 marathons). It’s called the Operation Jack Northwest Run. Now in its sixth year, we continue to raise money for Operation Jack and the fight against autism.
The race is a fundraiser and participants will pay for race registration, but are encouraged to raise money if so desired (perhaps for every loop). The race will be timed by Huber Timing and there will be aid stations as well. Participants will receive a tech shirt (not currently guaranteed, so we recommend emailing 26freak@gmail.com for information) and medal.
Operation Jack Northwest (Tigard)
When: 8am start on Saturday, December 10; Runners can technically start at any time, but the course closes at 2pm)
Where: Summerlake Park
Registration: Online here; $50 for 6 hour event; $30 for half marathon (additional fundraising encouraged); Limited to 100 runners