Sometimes a race is a perfectly wonderful poor life choice. I feel like this could be my running life motto. Definitely fits for when I decide to complete a 10K and a half marathon in one weekend. My half marathon for this adventure was the Bridge of the Gods Half Marathon from Breakaway Promotions. I completed this same race years ago and had one memory: hills. The course begins on the Washington side of the…
Every year, new races pop up all over the place while some go away. This fall, there’s a trail race happening in the Columbia River Gorge, being put on by a new race director, that is sure to get your attention … if you like hills. The 25K has 4,300 feet of gain, while the 50K has 7,300 feet of gain. And while runners of ultras know that hills are often part of the bargain,…
Sean’s Run is a fundraiser for Autism Research and Resources of Oregon and has been a summer staple since 2007. This fun community event welcomes runners and walkers of all abilities to participate in a 10k, 5k or children’s fun run. The race is held at the Bridge of the Gods trailhead in Cascade Locks, so participants are encouraged to park at Cascade Locks School and walk toward the parking area underneath the Bridge of…
If you know your Beatles music, you know the lyrics to this song. Interestingly, one of the best lines (in my opinion) is in the first verse. John Lennon writes “Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see…” In the world of running, especially off road, running with your eyes closed would surely find you face first in the dirt. As John rattles on, looping back to the chorus, singing about how “nothing…
As most of you probably know, running in Oregon in January can be a bit frosty, especially in the gorge where the wind is known to have teeth. However, we aren’t going to let frozen eyebrows and ice-cold fingertips slow us down, right?! The fine folks at Northern Wasco Parks & Rec Department agree, which is why they are hosting their annual Freeze Your Gizzard Blizzard runs in The Dalles. There are 3 race distances to choose…
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 River Gorge, this half and full is a destination race, with a great location and friendly vibes all around. I believe this was my fourth time at…
Ralph Painter, a long-time resident of Columbia County and most recently Chief of Police for the city of Rainier, Oregon, was an avid runner for many, many years. He was always a top contender in any race he ran in high school and earned honors as an All-League Athlete. Even after joining the Rainier Police Department in 1988, Ralph continued his passion for running. In 1990, he ran in the Police & Firemen’s Olympics in Canada, finishing 2nd in…
Maupin is a sleepy little town that sits in a canyon along the banks of the Deschutes River, just 40 miles south of The Dalles. The area has been well-known for guided rafting trips for many years but outside of that, this berg of 420 people remains fairly quiet. However, on New Year’s Day, X-Dog Events puts on the Deschutes River Half Marathon that follows and then finishes alongside the river. The spotlight of this…
I’ve hiked up the trail to the top of Multnomah Falls several times throughout my life and each time, I have been super worn out by the time I reach the top. I have never once thought “Hey, I’d love to run up this trail! Let’s have a race here!” but maybe you have. Did you know there is a race that goes up and around the falls? Now you do! And if you are…
Rare is it to find a race that is fundamentally flawless. Returning for my third year to the beautiful town of Hood River, making a couple hour drive to run 13 miles, this is one that has always been worth the trip. I was first introduced to this run through my work, as they sponsor employees to do several races a year and this one piqued my interest. The Gorge is a unique and gorgeous…
