It was only about two weeks before the holiday that we officially decided to head to Central Oregon for the 4th of July. Once the trip was greenlit, there was still plenty to figure out—where to stay, what to pack, how many pies to eat—but one decision was easy: we were signing up for the Red, White & Blue 3-miler, put on by the always-awesome Run Sisters Run.
Run Sisters Run is a local race company that puts on a few well-loved events throughout the year in and around Sisters—our favorite high desert town. (And if anyone’s got a lead on a reasonably-priced house rental for future visits, seriously hit us up.) Along with this summer staple, they also host the GiddyUp Ranch Run in October on a stunning 400-acre property complete with mountain views, goats, horses, and arguably the best post-race vibes in the state. They’ve also got fun events around the holidays—so keep an eye out.
Back to the Red, White & Blues race: this one turned out to be even better than expected. Starting and finishing in Village Green Park, the race drew a big, fun crowd—from walkers and families with strollers to high school cross country runners and local endurance beasts. While the race was mostly untimed (there was a clock, but no chip timing), the energy was high.
We started with a westward cruise on closed-off streets near downtown before making our way into one of the newer neighborhoods on the west side of town. A lollipop loop delivered some great Cascade Mountain views—truly a “stop-and-snap-a-photo” moment if you weren’t chasing a PR. From there, we came back near the start before heading east through the FivePine area and the campground before finishing strong back at the park.
The volunteers were on it—helping guide traffic and cheer us on—even if there wasn’t much traffic to speak of at 8am in Sisters. The course offered a nice mix of long straightaways and neighborhood weaving, and a rare-for-July drizzle kept things refreshingly cool. (Not saying you should pack a raincoat for next year, but we weren’t mad about it.)
After crossing the finish line, the Sisters 4th Fest in the park was already rolling. After a quick shower back at our place, we returned for the pie-eating contest (as spectators, not participants), explored the vendor booths, and just enjoyed some good ol’ family time. The race was the perfect kickoff to the day—and the whole holiday weekend, really.
So, if you’re going to be in Central Oregon—whether you’re a resident or just passing through—consider supporting a great local race company like Run Sisters Run. Their events are well-organized, community-driven, and always full of good vibes. We’ll be back for sure.
