“Since 1969, this 15k Loop has defined the Zena Road Runs. Are you up for the challenge? This is the OLDEST race route in Oregon.”These were the lines on the Zena Road Runs website that had me so excited to signed up for the 15K event. The fact I had a late night event the night before, hadn’t run more than 6 miles in months, and was recovering from a leg injury… “OLDEST race route…
After completing a half marathon in an orange orchard several years ago, I obviously had to learn about a race with a 50+ year history that has participants going alongside vineyards in my beloved Pacific Northwest. With Zena Road Runs, you get to choose from three race distances (3-mile, 6-mile, and 15K). The 15K is a loop course and the oldest race course in Oregon; the first participants crossed that start line in 1969. The…
The Zena Road Runs, held every February in West Salem for the past 45 years, is just a fantastic race. I don’t end up running it every year, but each time I do (four times now) I am left feeling excited, accomplished, and tired – all mixed into one. After almost a half century, there have been a number of changes – mostly with the starting line location, but the 15k route remains constant and…
The Zena Road Runs (15k, 6m, and 3m) are back again (50+ years!) for their annual running in Salem on Sunday, February 20, 2022. This running staple in the Willamette Valley is in inexpensive rural race, complete with local feel and hills aplenty. The 2020 event will follow primarily the same blueprint as in its recent pre-COVID years past. All race distances start and finish at the Noble Mountain Tree Farm in rural West Salem.…
Wow! This was my third consecutive year in a row running the Zena Road Runs, but my first time running the 15K distance. As always, this was a great event put on by the great people at Gallagher’s Fitness and the Willamette Valley Road Runners. This is also the oldest race in Oregon with a long history and many of the traditions are still alive! The quarter raffle is one of those traditions that is…
This is our weekly (usually) post highlighting low-cost races, races that may cost more but for a cause we think is important, and price increases or deadlines. We usually do the upcoming weekend and the one after that, so if you’re feeling good and want to jump in a race without blowing your budget, these are good options! Check the full Run Oregon Race Calendar here. We consider a race to be low cost based…
This year will be the 52nd annual Willamette Valley Road Runners Zena Road Runs. This is the oldest race in Oregon and continues yet again! You’ll be able to choose between a 3 mile, 6 mile, or 15K course that traverses through some of Oregon’s scenic wine country. Some years are sunny, some are snowing, and others are raining. No matter the weather, this race is always well organized, stocked with plenty of post-race food,…
Welcome to the latest post in the 2019 Races on our Radar series, where we report on cool and/or low-cost races, group runs, price and registration deadlines, and other things we think you should know about it. We would like to you hear from you, too. If you’re in the know on a race that you think others need to check out, let us know via email, twitter, or facebook! Super-Cool Event: Meet the new…
Welcome to the latest post in the 2019 Races on our Radar series, where we report on cool and/or low-cost races, group runs, price and registration deadlines, and other things we think you should know about it. We would like to you hear from you, too. If you’re in the know on a race that you think others need to check out, let us know via email, twitter, or facebook! Low-cost Races Coming Up Soon:…
The 51st Annual Zena Road Runs are coming up on Sunday, February 17th. You can read my preview here, but I was holding on for the official course maps – and they have finally arrived! The routes for all three distances have been released, and they look scenic and fun (if hilly), as expected. The 15K course follows the same traditional counterclockwise loop, but the start and finish have changed yet again this year. The…
