Summer has arrived in the Pacific Northwest, and with it all of the summertime races that we (hope) to enjoy in the sunshine. One of my favorites each year is the ORRC Summer Solstice 5K at the Oregon Zoo. First off, the race starts at 7pm so no crazy alarm clocks needed. Second, race participants and their guests are the only people in the zoo for three hours. I’ll be looking for you red pandas.…
Vernonia Marathon and Half Marathon uses one of my favorite courses in the Pacific Northwest. It is point-to-point, so every step is toward the finish line. And it is net downhill, so most steps are downhill toward the finish line. And the after-party in Banks Middle School has soup and baked potatoes, so those steps end at a warm place with warm food. As a point-to-point events, participants start by getting bused from the finish…
It’s important to understand and appreciate history. For instance, I find the history of the Hagg Lake Mud Runs to be super interesting, knowing its rich past, and all the greats who have both run the course, and run the operation over the last 22 years. For instance, Run Oregon’s own Kelly Barten was once race director, as was Todd Janssen of Go Beyond Racing, who is often seen managing the aid station at the…
Oregon Road Runners Club is a non-profit organization committed to putting on community running events throughout the year and supporting current and future runners and walkers whatever their pace, their goal, or their number of miles. ORRC’s next event will have participants in the beauty of Champoeg State Park for the Champoeg 10K, 30K, and Half Marathon. Oh, and there’s a FREE kid’s run too! Each of the courses includes a variety of forest, field,…
If the weather outside is frightful, that means Hagg Lake Mud Runs will be all the mode delightful. Or at least mud-full. ORRC’s Hagg Mud is a challenging race that brings in runners from throughout the region for the 25K, 25K+, 50K, and double options. While participants get lots of distance choices, the mud will be there for everyone. And so will the fully stocked aid stations and celebratory beer and hot lunch after the…
ORRC is starting 2023 off with a bang with their Annual 2023 Y2K Half Marathon & 10k on Saturday, January 7th. For years, the race has been playing on the distance theme (i.e. 2014 was 20.14k). It started out as 8.6 miles in 1986 and it was the ORRC First Run, shortly thereafter renamed the “Annual Run”. In 1999 it was 9.9 miles and then it became the “Y2K Run” in 2000 as the course…
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to gather with friends and family…and go for a run together. What? Isn’t that how all families celebrate this holiday? Well they should. And here are two excellent Oregon Turkey Trots to choose from. ORRC Turkey Trot Oregon Road Runners Club’s Turkey Trot starts with an out and back in the International Rose Garden, and ends at the Elephant Plaza inside the Oregon Zoo. This 4-mile event is perfect for…
Point-to-point courses are my favorite kind because they leave me with no other option than forward. Best Damn Run, put on by Oregon Road Runners Club, gives participants that point-to-point motivation and adds on a lovely course alongside the Clackamas River. Runners and walkers (ORRC is the best for including all paces) are bussed to the starting line at North Fork Lake with the finish line waiting in Estacada. And at that finish line is…
Update: As of 8/7, this event has been canceled. Oregon Road Runners Club (ORRC) has been offering quality races in the Pacific Northwest for over 50 years. In 2022, they are bringing us all a brand new race in a brand new style. For the Poker Relay, it’s all about your cards at the end of the race. For this new event, participants sign up for teams of one to five participants to complete five…
Can you smell that? Its garlic! Aka the smell of a great summer field trip. The annual North Plain’s Garlic Festival is also the site of ORRC’s Garlic Festival half marathon, 10K, and 5K race. The 5K loops through North Plains, the 10K is an out-and-back course, and the half marathon is two loops around the Pumpkin Ridge Golf Course. So if everyone in the family signs up for a different race, you can share…
