Articles by Brian Bernier

Race Preview: 2020 Volkslaufe 25K/5K (Medford)

January 11, 2020 // 0 Comments

Medford is a great area to run, and the Volklaufe 25K/5K on January 18th would be a prime way to enjoy it. Hosted by the Southern Oregon Runners group, this race is also a USATF Oregon 25K Championship race. Registration is currently online at [read more...]

Race Preview: 2019 Jingle Dash 5K (Keizer)

November 15, 2019 // 0 Comments

Sometimes races are about getting up early on a Saturday morning and preparing to reach the limits. Other times they are about wearing themed clothes and having a good time in the evening. The Keizer Jingle Dash 5K on December 14th is one of [read more...]

Fast Guy Problems: When to Hold and When to Fold

October 26, 2019 // 0 Comments

For a highly competitive personality, dropping out of a race is a tough call to make, even in the face of an injury negatively affecting performance. Feeling the race number pinned to my shirt and knowing there is a clock ticking creates a fierce [read more...]

Race Preview: 2019 McDonald Forest Trail Runs

October 12, 2019 // 0 Comments

Luckily enough, the Willamette Valley area is a temperate rain forest that puts the fun in cross country. Traversing single track trails and logging roads in OSU’s McDonald Forest, the McDonald Forest Trail Runs offer true cross country [read more...]

Race Recap: 2019 Beaverton Half Marathon

September 28, 2019 // 2 Comments

Typically in my training regimen, Sundays are long days, even paced runs that work on endurance and aerobic effort. When the opportunity was presented to enter the Beaverton Half, timed at the cusp of fall and perfectly placed to be my longest run [read more...]

Race Preview: 2019 Champions Run For Heroes (McMinnville) – THIS WEEKEND

September 12, 2019 // 0 Comments

McMinnville may be a bit off the beaten path, but located about 30 minutes south of Sherwood on 99W, there are a couple fun races in this city. One of the best, benefiting local causes and put on by the nonprofit See Ya Later Foundation, is the [read more...]

Race Preview: 2019 Tigard K9-5K

August 31, 2019 // 0 Comments

For those of us that race regularly in the greater Portland area, Cook Park should be a familiar location. Expansive, with greenways along the river, forest, and meadow as well as near the typical playgrounds and ball fields, it’s a nice place [read more...]

Race Preview: 2019 Canby Dahlia Run

August 15, 2019 // 1 Comment

The central Willamette Valley may be one of the nicest areas to run, generally with moderate temperatures and scenic views along with the freedom from hassles that go with less population density. Canby is no exception, a smaller town south of the [read more...]

What RunOregon is Wearing: Reebok Floatride Run Fast

July 29, 2019 // 0 Comments

In full disclosure, I have not picked up a pair of Reebok shoes or worn them since high school, more than a few years ago. While I prefer to train in lightweight shoes that can double as racers, it is very helpful to have dedicated race shoes. I [read more...]

Race Preview: Oregon Brewery Running Series at Ecliptic Brewing (PDX)

July 1, 2019 // 0 Comments

While I have never been a beer drinker, I definitely understand the fun, social aspect of the brewery runs. Labeled as a ‘5K-ish’ event, with no official timing or medals, the Brewery Running Series is a great way to get together with [read more...]

Fast Guy Problems: The toughest part is letting go

June 30, 2019 // 0 Comments

Being an 80’s baby, I am a fan of hair bands, tending more towards Def Leppard and Guns and Roses. Another well known group, Cinderella wrote a song called ‘Don’t know what you got (till it’s gone)’. Written as an ode [read more...]

Race Preview: 2019 Mt. Ashland 5K

June 13, 2019 // 0 Comments

I’ve made it no secret that personally I think that Southern Oregon is one of the best places to run in the state. With clean air, relatively mild weather and great views, the Mt. Ashland 5K scheduled for July 6th is likely to take advantage [read more...]

Race Preview: 2019 Silvan Ridge Twilight 5K (Eugene)

May 30, 2019 // 0 Comments

It is almost a given fact that races start in the morning, generally at 7 or 8 am. The Silvan Ridge Twilight 5K switches things up with a 6 pm start time at the Silvan Ridge Winery, just outside of Eugene. The course is described as an out and back [read more...]

Race Preview: 2019 Alien Abduction Dash 5K (McMinnville)

April 29, 2019 // 0 Comments

With a slightly more odd theme than most, the Alien Abduction Dash 5K occurs during the Alien Days festival in my hometown of McMinnville, Oregon. The race is on Saturday May 18th, 9 am at Linfield College. Registration is open, at $25. The course [read more...]

Race Preview: 2019 Tough as Nails Trail Runs (Medford)

April 16, 2019 // 0 Comments

In my 23 years of running I have had the pleasure of enjoying the hobby in about 10 states. By far my favorite area is definitely southern Oregon. The trails in that region are beautiful and the weather is nice for most of the year. The Tough as [read more...]

What Run Oregon is Wearing: rabbit running apparel ready for warm temps

April 9, 2019 // 0 Comments

It’s no secret that ‘true’ Oregonians look askance at Californians. As Brian is a California born runner, he found it amusing to be given a chance to wear some gear from rabbit, a company based in that state. He hopes he has [read more...]

Race Preview: 2019 HOTV Spring Six (Corvallis)

March 30, 2019 // 0 Comments

Some races are fun to do just to earn an instant PR due to an ‘odd’ distance, so for many of us that don’t have a 6 kilometer best, the HOTV Spring 6 in Corvallis on April 27th is the place to be. With a course that explores the [read more...]

Race Recap: 2019 Lincoln City Half and 10K

March 14, 2019 // 0 Comments

The Lincoln City Half has made it’s way onto my ‘must-do’ list a few years ago. Occurring on March 3rd this year, the small but fun race at the coast stood out with the coolest race bibs I have ever seen. With a light blue color [read more...]

Race Recap: 2019 Heart Breaker 10K (Hillsboro)

March 7, 2019 // 0 Comments

Honestly, when it comes to racing around here in February, it’s a mixed bag. We can see temperatures from the teens to near 50 and any form of precipitation. The only thing we can do as runners is pack the right gear and hope for the best. [read more...]

Race Preview: 2019 Lincoln City Half Marathon and 10K

February 5, 2019 // 0 Comments

There are all different types of races for various lengths, catering to runners of all abilities and preferences. Personally, I find the greatest enjoyment in a half marathon off the beaten path, enjoying nature while moving along in a low gear [read more...]

Race Preview: 2019 Oregon Winterfest Royal Run

January 8, 2019 // 0 Comments

Bend OR is a well known playground in the Pacific Northwest that caters to outdoor enthusiasts. With the Oregon Winterfest, a 3 day celebration starting on February 15th, they have numerous activities, including the Royal Run 5K and a special Hot [read more...]

Run Oregon Bookshelf: Racing Heart

December 3, 2018 // 0 Comments

As a lifetime reader, and a runner for nearly is long, it’s funny to think that I rarely read books about running or runners. Whether this is a planned habit or merely chance, my often daily escape to the written world rarely touches upon my [read more...]

2018 Mid Valley Turkey Trots: Corvallis Turkey Trot and Gobbler’s Revenge (Albany)

November 7, 2018 // 0 Comments

Thanksgiving is generally about food and good company, family or otherwise. Being a runner, I used to sneak away as the sun came up to get in a relaxed longer run before the chaos began. It was only a couple years ago that I discovered Thanksgiving [read more...]

Race Recap: 2018 Columbia Gorge Half Marathon

November 1, 2018 // 1 Comment

Like most people, I prefer to sleep in my own bed, especially prior to a race. But there is one race on my yearly schedule that is about a two hour drive from home that is worth changing the routine. Located in Hood River Oregon, on the Columbia [read more...]

Run Oregon is Kickin’ it in the Salomon Sonic RA PRO

October 3, 2018 // 0 Comments

Stride. Turnover. Cadence. Running is really the simplest form of sport, with the essence being the efficiency of those three actions. Seeing as the only part of our body that touches the ground is our feet, the gear we shod ourselves with is of [read more...]

Would you run Run the Woods [Miller Woods 10K]? You should! (McMinnville)

September 26, 2018 // 0 Comments

Photo courtesy of UltraSignUp True cross country races that don’t traverse any pavement can be somewhat hard to find, and the Run the Woods 10K at Miller Woods outside of McMinnville is a bit of a rarity. Even in the green regions of Oregon, [read more...]