One of my favorite events of the summer is the Salem Summer Solstice 10k / 5k held in the evening on the longest day of each year. The event seems to get bigger every year and Minto Brown Island Park, a large area itself, seems to become smaller and more intimate as the Willamette Valley running community comes out in droves.Both distances start at the same spot on a paved path. BEWARE – Don’t expect to start very fast unless you are at the front of the line. The 5k features a quick out-and-back on the narrow path and can cause A LOT of chaos as the 5k runners do a quick turnaround, while the 10k runners continue on the path further. If you are not heading for a PR, I’d suggest just taking it easy and not getting bent out of shape. However, after this turnaround, it’s pretty smooth sailing, with beautiful landscapes, for the remainder of the race!
The 5k returns near the starting line and then heads further north on paved paths before finishing up with a lovely run along the banks of the Willamette River. The 10k weaves through tall trees, a filbert orchard, and through the slough before rejoining with the path and completing the wonderful river backdrop to the finish.
The entry fee is low and doesn’t include a shirt. However, it does include a post-race ice-cream sundae courtesy of the Willamette Valley Road Runners. Nothing screams summer like a run and ice cream to me.
Start of the 2013 Salem Summer Solstice. – Photo by Oregonpixels.com
When: June 21st at 7p
Summer Solstice Shuffle (Redmond)
