Articles by Kelly Barten

About Kelly Barten (1138 Articles)

I started the Run Oregon blog in February 2007, because I felt like running in Oregon and SW Washington deserved more positive coverage. I also wanted to level the playing field so that small, non-profit races could compete with big events; and to support LOCAL race organizers. I'm a Creighton Bluejay (undergrad) and an Oregon Duck (Sports Marketing MBA), and I live in Tigard with my husband and two kids. My "real job" is working for an incredibly awesome math textbook company doing marketing and production.

Rackle Shoes are awesome – and local

August 6, 2020 // 0 Comments

Since moving to a work-from-home situation, I haven’t gotten “dressed up” a single day. Instead, I’ve been wearing shorts and tank tops, sundresses, and jeans on the occasionally chilly day. I’ve also been running a [read more...]

Support Tommy Rivs in his fight against cancer

August 5, 2020 // 0 Comments

Some runners know Tommy Rivs (Tommy Rivers Puzey) from his success in long-distance running, but many know him as a successful and energizing coach. You might look at the name and put together that his brother is Oregon-based Jeff Puzey. The [read more...]

Gone Rogue and Back Run/Walk Challenge – an August Series from Run With Paula

August 4, 2020 // 0 Comments

Run With Paula is back with another unique virtual race series that just kicked off on August 3. It’s a series of four races, each of which are to be run within their designated week, and involve two of my favorite things: running and Rogue [read more...]

How PRC is doing social distancing

July 18, 2020 // 0 Comments

I have been running fairly consistently this year, and last week was ready to buy another new pair of shoes to add into the rotation. I have been a solid Brooks Adrenaline women’s size 8.5 for the past … 10 years? … so I knew I [read more...]

Ladybug Run for CDH Awareness Virtual 5k/10k

July 14, 2020 // 0 Comments

The Ladybug Run for CDH Awareness is one of the most successful, longest-running local events put on entirely by volunteers with all proceeds going directly to a non-profit organization. This event, typically run in Cook Park, raises funds for the [read more...]

Run Oregon Bookshelf: Feel-Good Fitness by Alysia Montaño

June 26, 2020 // 0 Comments

If you’re already reading Run Oregon, chances are you already have some interest in running or walking, but how would you rate your fitness? Are you out of service after your long run or feel incredibly sore after attempting hill repeats? And [read more...]

ORRC Virtual Challenge: Run the Oregon Coast

June 26, 2020 // 0 Comments

ORRC is joining with many other race organizers and offering a virtual race. As with all other in-person races, because of Coronavirus, the club cancelled all events since early March. ORRC is proud to present Run The Oregon Coast Virtual Challenge. [read more...]

Oregon Food Run Virtual Challenge: 30, 60, 90, and 120-mile options ending August 2

June 20, 2020 // 0 Comments

Could you run 30 miles in 42 days? 60 miles? How about 90 or stretching to aim for 120 miles? How about if you knew it was to provide support for Oregon food banks? You’ve got just over a month to sign up for and submit your miles to the [read more...]

Low-cost, Team-scored Virtual Stumptown Quarantine Summer Series Kicks Off June 28

June 19, 2020 // 0 Comments

Team Red Lizard is putting on the Stumptown Quarantine Summer Series next Sunday. The Series is comprised of three races: a 10k, a 5k, and a “Grade-Adjusted Uphill Mile.” (Don’t worry, we’ll explain.) What makes this series [read more...]

Stumptown Quarantine 5k Illustrates how a Virtual Race can be Competitive

June 19, 2020 // 1 Comment

For runners that enjoy swift competition, the Stumptown Quarantine 5k, organized by Team Red Lizard, was a big draw. Not only does the club have a reputation for attracting fast runners, but it offered a two-week window in which people could sign [read more...]

Stars, Stripes & Shelter Virtual 5k – Raise funds for Beaverton students & families

June 17, 2020 // 0 Comments

The Stars, Stripes & Shelter Virtual 5k will raise funds for two Beaverton non-profits. Family Promise of Beaverton provides social services and shelter to families experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their housing, and Planting Seeds [read more...]

Belcorva Running Bottoms – 10% off with code

June 13, 2020 // 0 Comments

Going for a run these days is more than just lacing up and heading out. I always bring my phone with me (just in case something happens … or I decide to finish my run at Starbucks and walk back home), and when I’m running from work or at [read more...]

Portland Bridge Loop Challenge Going on Now!

June 12, 2020 // 0 Comments

Run with Paula has organized a series of virtual races of varying distances making use of Portland’s popular bridge-loop running routes. The Portland Bridge Loop Series races have set courses to be run on your own time, with a week for each [read more...]

Run Oregon Bookshelf: Fast Girls

June 12, 2020 // 0 Comments

Fast Girls, an amazing new novel by Elise Hooper, is based on the lives of three women from the 1936 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team. The stories of Helen Stephens, Louise Stokes, and Betty Robinson describe the challenges of being an amateur [read more...]

Run the PCT Virtual Race

June 11, 2020 // 0 Comments

Run the PCT is a virtual race organized by local company Go Beyond Racing, the same team that created the My Favorite Place 50k. Run the PCT offers four distance options, and while of course you could record miles on the actual Pacific Crest Trail, [read more...]

FREE Spartan Virtual Race this weekend

May 28, 2020 // 0 Comments

If you’re a lover of obstacle course races (I am looking at Run Oregon blogger Annette Vaughan), set aside time this weekend to take on the free Spartan Virtual Race. Organized by the team that puts on the popular and very challenging Spartan [read more...]

Go Beyond Racing’s Favorite Place Race Going on Now

May 20, 2020 // 0 Comments

Go Beyond Racing has a really cool way to stay motivated, show off your favorite running routes, and earn a coaster medal during the Coronavirus pandemic. The Favorite Place Race is a run-at-your-own-pace & place 50k, to be completed between now [read more...]

Stumptown Quarantine 5k Starts Today – Free Virtual Race

May 9, 2020 // 0 Comments

My favorite thing about running races is the friend aspect: carpooling, hanging out together afterwards, and maybe even racing together. Recently, local races have switched to virtual races due to COVID-19 restrictions, and races are no longer a way [read more...]

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month – Run Safe from the Sun

May 6, 2020 // 0 Comments

I’m here to tell you to wear sunscreen when you’re out running during the day, especially between 10a and 4p. I don’t care if you “tan easily” or have never had a bad burn … it’s those little micro-doses of [read more...]

Dumb Runner blog provides much-needed laughs (especially right now)

April 23, 2020 // 0 Comments

Have you ever met the Dumb Runner? Perhaps you know him by his real name (Mark Remy) or know him from his time as the Executive Director at Runner’s World. Either way, the Dumb Runner is part of the Portland running community – a fact [read more...]

Time-trial Challenges are a Great Way to “Group Run”

April 21, 2020 // 0 Comments

A time trial is a run/race format where each person runs a designated route on their schedule and then times are compared to determine a winner. There are no mass starts, and aside from a runner passing (or being passed by) another participant, [read more...]

Update: Run Around the World nearing goal, but you can still sign up

April 19, 2020 // 0 Comments

Last week, Matt wrote about the Run Around the World Camaraderie Challenge to raise funds for CDC’s emergency COVID-19 relief, which is sponsored by Nathan Sports, Merrell, and Trail Sisters. Well, as of this weekend, they only have around [read more...]

Run Northbest Stronger Together Virtual 5K, 10K & Half Marathon this Saturday

April 9, 2020 // 0 Comments

Our friends at Run Northbest are hosting a virtual race with all proceeds to be donated to Feeding the Frontline PDX & Feeding America. Run Northbest is known for their summer race series – a low-cost lineup of weekly 5k races with beer at [read more...]

Keep sweat out of your eyes with Treadbands

April 1, 2020 // 0 Comments

Some people wear hats. Some can pull off the 70’s-style terrycloth headband. And others just don’t know the feeling of working out and sweat not dripping in your eyes. Then there’s the “what works” factor: Headbands [read more...]

What Run Oregon is Wearing: Running bras from Brooks

March 24, 2020 // 0 Comments

TL;DR version Dare Crossback Running Bra Pros: Super soft material, good amount of stretch to make it easy on and off, lightweight, breathable Dare Crossback Running Bra Cons: You’ve got to try it on and go for a run in it to get the right fit [read more...]