Racing is back! I probably don’t need to keep mentioning this with each race I participate in, but its just so exciting to do partake in racing nowadays. The most recent race I completed was just this past weekend at Breakaway Promotions‘ Willamette Valley Marathon & Half (and 10k) in Salem, the first live long-distance race in the area in quite some time. Being a Salem-ite, it’s great to have a local race, and this…
The Willamette Valley Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K is back for 2021! After an almost empty race year and a cancellation for 2020, the Breakaway Promotions WVM is back for its 3rd race and ensuing wine festival! This year, the races will be held on Sunday, May 23rd. There is a marathon, half marathon, 10K, and half marathon relay for runners to take advantage of. As always, the races will start in front of the…
The time was about 930pm on the day before race day of the 2nd annual Willamette Valley Half Marathon. I was out with my wife at our third spot for drinks on a long-overdue date night when a clouded mind asked her, “what would you say about me running a half marathon tomorrow?” And thus, my 56th half marathon was off and running. This event is obviously new-ish to the Salem area, but in just…
When thunderclaps woke me up from a slumber in the morning of the inaugural Willamette Valley Marathon & Half, I was a little concerned. It felt that all my longer races in 2018 came complete with precipitation, and I was looking forward to have the race showcasing my city be dry and sunny. Overall, the storms stayed away and the weather, while a tad muggier than usual, was almost ideal for running. The day, and…
For a plethora of reasons, I hadn’t run a half marathon in 3 1/2 years. Willamette Valley Half Marathon was my return to that distance and what a great choice for my long overdue 18th half marathon! You would never guess this was a first-year event. The turnout was great, the course showcased the best of Salem, the route was well-marked and staffed, and overall it was just a well-organized race. The race started out…
A new local marathon (and half marathon) is making its debut on Sunday, May 6th. The Willamette Valley Marathon in Salem boasts some incredible scenery and looks to be fairly flat. Starting in front of the Oregon State Capitol, both the full and the half marathon will run through downtown Salem to the Willamette River before taking runners through 3 different parks: Riverfront Park, Wallace Marine Park, and Minto-Brown Island Park – each with its…
