**GIVEN THE UNCERTAINTY OF THINGS DUE TO COVID-19, PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE PREVIEWING THIS RACE AS IF IT IS STILL OCCURRING . WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO FOLLOW THESE RACES ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR THEIR WEBSITES TO DETERMINE IF CHANGES ARE BEING MADE** The Shotgun Trail Blast put on by Level 32 Racing is sure to be a fun one especially for those looking for an early spring 50K Ultra Marathon this year. For those…
If you have had the distinction of running the Canyon Rumble, you know all about the infamous “M” hill. The massive M stands for Madras, of course, and like one might see in many towns across the country, it represents the local high school. I love trying to spot a massive white letter on a yonder hill, whenever I travel, as it often reminds me of the youth and the runners in those local schools.…
Last year, Super Dave Thomason, of SuperFit Productions, (re)introduced Bend to a new set of trail races. Formerly known as the Down & Dirty Half, the Storm King Half was met with great feedback following its inaugural year. More than just the half, the 5K and 10K distances also proved to be winners, as young and old took part in what is sure to become a favorite fall race. The course is a mix of…
Just west of the town of Sisters, the mountains beckon. Capped in snow, they call out to those who dream of running or hiking their trails. In the middle of these mountains there is Hoodoo Ski Area and Hoodoo Butte, a 5,600 foot cinder cone that sits just north of Mt Washington and North Sister. For those that know of these majestic mountains, there is a sense of awe, as they rise out of the…
For many runners, the season tends to end when the weather changes from warm to cold, from dry to wet, or from ideal to disgusting. And yet, every year there are dozens of solid local races where the elements become the biggest part of the race. Now in its 7th year, the Canyon Rumble Frozen Half is just such an event. In the past 6 races, there have been ideal conditions, such as clear skies and mid-50’s…
For those of you who know SuperFit Productions and the sweet races they put on, youknow that Dave Thomason pours his heart into every detail. For the past several years, the Down & Dirty Half has been a late season staple (also known as the Dirty Second Half, following the traditional Dirty Half that takes place in June each year). Earlier this year, SuperFit started toying with the idea of making some changes to the…
Bander-who? Bander-what? I’m still not sure what a Bandersnatch is, but the Bandersnatch 5k and Lewis Loops 10 miler, new for this year, is a small local race held in Ashland the past 2 years and is billed as an introduction to trail running for new runners and something different for seasoned trail runners to try out! Both races start in lovely Lithia Park in downtown Ashland – this park is a 100-acre vista of…
Since I started running back in January, people have been telling me how I should run on Mt. Tabor. “It’s great for training!” they say. Well having looked up the trails and elevation changes, I can believe it! And I’m not ready for it yet – maybe next year! But maybe you are and if so, you should definitely sign up for the Mt.Tabor Tar ‘N’ Trail Run! Put on by the The Friends of…
Trail running fans, Run Wild’s Willamette Mission Trail Challenge is just around the corner. This April 29th race includes both a 5K and a 10K option with the promise of muddy trails and scenic views. Held at Willamette Mission State Park just north of Salem, this annual trail run is the last of Run Wild Adventure‘s trail races until fall. The courses are mostly flat and on both single and double track trails. The park…
I haven’t had great success at long trail races, so the prospect of running the Spring Fling Half Marathon on the trails of the Alsea Falls Recreation Site in the wooded hills southwest of Corvallis might have seemed daunting. But something about running through the forest seemed to draw me to this event, and though there were 10k and 5k options, I decided to sign up for the half. Maybe it was a reaction to…
