For one thing, each seasonal event takes place in a different part of Oregon: Winter was entirely on the golf course at The Reserve Vineyards & Golf Course in Aloha; Spring showed off Heirloom Roses in St. Paul; and Summer will take participants on the Vernonia-Banks trail. Also, unlike the other seasonal events, the Summer one includes a full marathon, for those of you who like that sort of thing. There are also options for a half or a quarter marathon, and I’ll note that, having run this course in 2013, the half marathon offers a great shot at a PR – it starts in the middle of the marathon route, at the highest point of the course, with eight downhill miles followed by five flat ones.
What do you get with registration?
- each finisher gets a finisher’s medal
- post-race food with hamburgers, ice cream, fruit, and more
- bag check
- bus ride from the parking area in Banks to the start of the half or full marathon (quarter marathon starts and finishes in Banks)
- pacing groups
- 1st/2d/3d place age/gender group pins
- 1st/2d/3d place awards for overall and 45+ runners; 1st place award for 65+ runners
- regular aid stations with water and electrolytes
Oregon summers can be hot, so the marathon starts at 7 a.m. with a 6:30 a.m. early bird start available. The half and quarter marathons start at 7:30 a.m. For the full and half marathons, the part of the course on the Vernonia-Banks trail should offer plenty of forest cover and shade.
Oregon Summer Marathon/Half Marathon/Quarter Marathon
When: July 22, 2017
Where: Banks High School, 13050 Main Street, Banks, Oregon (parking)
Register: Online here ($75 for marathon; $60 for half marathon; $50 for quarter marathon; all registrations will include a small processing fee)
Pre-race packet pickup: July 20, 2017 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott 6100 SW Meadows Rd. Lake Oswego, Oregon; July 21, 2017 from 4 6 to 8 p.m. at Courtyard by Marriott in Hillsboro, 3050 NW Stucki Place, Hillsboro, Oregon [NOTE CORRECTED PICK UP TIME FOR JULY 21]