We are lucky in Oregon, where there are many local running clubs from Ashland to Portland and everywhere in between. We’re also lucky in that there are people out there who put on free group runs, help with races, and support youth and other cause running and racing programs. Molalla Running Club is one of these clubs.
My first experience with the Molalla Running Club was at their Freedom 5k in downtown Molalla. It directly precedes the local Independence Day parade on the parade route which is lined with thousands of spectators. I remember initially going into the race not expecting too much, as it was “Molalla after all”. Now having seen all the races and runs that they put in, I’m ashamed to think that they could have been anything less than awesome.
MRC (as I will now refer to them as), puts on, or helps with, three races each year:
- Goat Mountain Gallup (April)
- Freedom 5k (July)
- Molalla Trail Race (September)
Each one has their act together, so you shouldn’t consider balking at taking advantage of their Run Molalla Series discount for all three races (capped at 50 racers). These are spaced out for a Spring/Summer/Fall routine and finishers will receive a unique medal.
But MRC isn’t just about races, they also do group runs as well. Here’s a little about their mission:
We strive to build a healthier community through inspiring people to walk or run, developing tourism in our town through hosting races, and provide an environment for people to form healthy relationships.
- Motivate thousands of people in our area to choose a healthy lifestyle through running
- Develop a brand of races that would draw people from all over Oregon and the nation in order to bring economic transformation to Molalla.
- Give race profits away to worthy projects in our community
- Organize friendly and fun training runs/walks in the area to help develop community
They meet at at 215 East Main St. every Saturday morning at 8 am and have a variety of different pace groups for all levels of running expertise meet the needs of runners who are just starting out, as well as more advanced runners. They even have a “Strive for 5” group designed help those who are looking to complete their first 5k. I have followed them on Facebook and Instagram, and everyone in their pictures look to be having a great time.
