5K, 10K, Half & Full Marathons

This race is huge! In fact, it’s the largest race in Oregon and in 2018, about 30,000 people will participate in the event. The run starts at Waterfront Park and winds through downtown. At the finish line, there is a large party filled with beer, soup and music. The lead sponsor of the race is Adidas, so the swag includes a sweet t-shirt. The entry fee is $44 per person. Many children attend the event for the “Leprechaun Lap,” which is $15. Runners are also invited to attend the Fitness Fair pre-race. And don’t forget to wear your green gear.

Rip City Race for Roses starts at the Oregon Convention Center and winds through downtown Portland. Runners will get to cross the Broadway Bridge. It is flat and fast and takes place on the road. In 2018, about 5,000 runners will participate, so it is a decent size race. Registration is hefty at $70. At the finish line, folks will receive food, drink, commemorative medal, and a t-shirt. The drinking portion also includes a mimosa, so that is a solid treat after a good run. Teams and fundraising are encouraged. Proceeds go to Albertina Kerr to assist those with developmental disabilities.

The Starlight Run is considered a “fun run” so it’s not exactly for the most serious runners. There are no timing chips, winners, or clocks. It takes place in the evening right before it turns dark, which is unique. In addition, many of the runners wear costumes and are incentivized to do so, since a contest is involved. 3500 runners are anticipated to participate in the coming year, though there will be an incredible 250,000 spectators. The races starts and finishes at Lincoln High School, and winds through downtown Portland. There is a large dance party pre and post race.

The Oregon Road Runners Club hosts several organized races throughout the year, and the Hagg Lake Run is especially popular. The race is beautiful and comes at the perfect time of the year. There are a few rolling hills on the course, but they are hardly noticeable given the gorgeous scenery. The race takes place around the lake. Participants get a colorful Hagg Lake buff, which is basically a scarf of sorts, that can be works in multiple ways during the winter. It should also be noted that this is the third event in a series of events by the Oregon Road Runners.

Hop Hop, the race with the cutest name, is a 5k over Easter Weekend. It is a popular Oregon race in Portalnd. The course is flat and participants will see both the Columbia River and Mt. Hood. The course is a combination of surfaces including road, gravel, and dirt. Peeps are included along the course for those in need of sugar. Finishers gets brunch, Mimosas, beer, and Easter Egg Medals. Several participants opt to dress up and there is a contest for best-dressed. It’s not the most serious of races, but it is fun. The price is steep at $78.

Bridge to Brews in Portland is a popular 10k. It is the only organized running race that takes participants over the Fremont Bridge. There is a party at the end filled with, of course, beer, but also cider, wine, and spirits. The scenery is also beautiful, as the celebration takes place on the waterfront. In addition, live music and food are provided. Participants receive a t-shirt and a medal that doubles as a bottle opener. An Do not be surprised to find folks dressed up in costume on the course. The cost is $54 for adults and $25 for kids.

The Bridge of the Goddess is a female-only run. It starts in Cascade Locks and primarily takes place on the Columbia River Highway Trail after going over the Bridge of the Gods and ending in Marine Park. Past participants note the beauty of the race with every bit being full of green scenery. And of course, this isn’t a surprise, as it crosses multiple U.S. Service Forest trails, including the Pacific Crest Trail. Runners should note, however, that it’s not an easy course. It’s full of hills and includes stairs. There is a costume contest for those that dress up as a Goddess.

The Grin and Bear It Run in Bend, Oregon, is a relatively small run in the central part of the state.  It starts and ends at the Les Schwab Amphitheater and weaves in and out of neighborhoods around the Deschutes River and Farewell Bend Park.  It is very family-focused and includes a one-mile race, which is great for kids, and includes a ribbon. The race supports Healthy Beginnings, an organization that provides health and development screenings, and many medical-based companies are supporters. A health expo is also part of the race-day activities. The cost is affordable at $35 per participant.

The Happy Valley Fun Run is a race with a long history, as it has been around for 39 years. It is organized by the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) at the Happy Valley Elementary School and the community takes great pride in it. Participation is impressive given the relatively small size of the community. Registration is $26 for adults and $16 for students and all participants receive a t-shirt. A kids dash takes place the same day and it is a family-friendly event, as all participants receive a ribbon. Proceeds from the race support activities at the school.

The Seaside Beach Run in Seaside, Oregon has a long, long history. It started in 1966 and has been going strong ever since. The course starts and ends on 12^th Avenue and North Prom. The entire race takes place on sand, so it is not easy unless one has trained for it. The event is family-friendly and includes a kids sand dash and treasure hunt, both of which are free. The event benefits fitness programs for students. Registration fees include a tee shirt and picnic lunch. The race is great source of pride for the town and has solid participation.

This race is no joke and participants take it seriously. Of course, there is a huge rivalry between the Ducks and the Beavers in the state, and competition is fierce. The race starts at Road Runner Sports Tualatin and winds through the city on paved trails. The course is flat and many have been known to set personal records. School gear is a must. Teams are scored like a cross country race, where the team with the lowest points win. There is a party at the finish that includes music, prizes, beer, and alcohol. It is similar to a tail gate.

The Hippie Chick race is part of the popular Hood to Coast race series and takes place in Hillsboro, Oregon. It is a female-only race and takes place over Mother’s Day Weekend. Racers start at Ron Tonkin Field and the course winds through Washington County. The course is flat and full of greenery. Finishers receive a necklace rather than a medal and a tee shirt. The finish line also includes a pancake breakfast with mimosas and live music. Hippie costumes are encouraged, so bust out the tie-dye.  Registration starts at $50 for early birds and gets to $120 on race day.

The Dundee Hills are home to gorgeous vineyards and the Fueled by Fine Wine race goes through many of them. The course is difficult with “rollers”, gravel, and soft soil. The race is limited to 1,200 participants, so runners are often spread throughout the course. Of course, the best part of the race is the end, as there is plenty of local wine to drink. In fact, 25 wineries will be present Participants should note that lodging in the area is limited, so booking early is recommended. Travel from downtown Portland takes about 45 minutes. Registration is steep at $85.

The Oregon Summer Half Marathon is part of the Oregon Marathon Race Series. Each season there is a half marathon that leads up to the full. This particular race in the series takes place in the western part of the state, starting at Stub Stewart Park, and goes through the Banks Vernonia State park. It has a net downhill, with the first eight miles being downhill, which means it is a super fast race. The male record is 1:10. It is ranked as “one of the top four most beautiful courses in Oregon.” A hamburger bar is part of the finish line celebration.

The name of this race is more than misleading. It starts at Boring Station Trailhead Park and most of the race takes place on the Springwater Trail, which is beautiful. It’s relatively flat with a total ascent of 284 feet, with the elevation gain coming after the second half of the race. Currently, the registration fee is $40. Unless, of course, you are from the sister city of Dull, Scotland, in which case, your entry fee is free. The number of participants is limited in this race, so there is spacing between racers. The event benefits high school track and cross country teams.

The Run Like Hell Race in Portland, OR is a popular one. It has a Halloween theme and many participants run in costume, as there is a contest. At the finish line there is a beer and cider provided. The course has music at ever mile and pacers are provided for those who like them. The course has “rollers” and goes to about 350 feet in elevation at certain points. Throughout the course, there are views of the mountains and river. The race is family friendly and has a kids zone with rootbeer. Don’t wait to register, as the cost of the races shoots up to $109.

The Portland Marathon is the “top rated and best marathon in the northwest.” It has a 46 year long history and last year, about 7,000 people participated. The course includes live music and many neighborhood residents cheer on racers. Parts of the course are along the waterfront, so the views are beautiful. The Red Lizards, which is a local running group, sends out pacers and they are spectacular in regard to their timing and encouragement. The average temperature for the race is 55 degrees. The race fee is $125 and this includes the Expo, a t-shirt, medal, and seedling to plant. The tagline for the Eugene Marathon is “fast and flat,” so it’s a popular one. The race has a rich history and it has been named a “perfect race” by Runner’s World Magazine. It is scenic, as it is green, full of trees, and passes the Willamette river. Finishers cross the line at Hayward Field where they can feel the spirit of the likes of Steve Prefontaine and Bill Bowerman. The race is family friendly and there are various ways for children to participate before and after the race. The entry fee is $110 and this includes the health and fitness expo. The tagline for the Eugene Marathon is “fast and flat,” so it’s a popular one. The race has a rich history and it has been named a “perfect race” by Runner’s World Magazine. It is scenic, as it is green, full of trees, and passes the Willamette river. Finishers cross the line at Hayward Field where they can feel the spirit of the likes of Steve Prefontaine and Bill Bowerman. The race is family friendly and there are various ways for children to participate before and after the race. The entry fee is $110 and this includes the health and fitness expo. The tagline for the Eugene Marathon is “fast and flat,” so it’s a popular one. The race has a rich history and it has been named a “perfect race” by Runner’s World Magazine. It is scenic, as it is green, full of trees, and passes the Willamette river. Finishers cross the line at Hayward Field where they can feel the spirit of the likes of Steve Prefontaine and Bill Bowerman. The race is family friendly and there are various ways for children to participate before and after the race. The entry fee is $110 and this includes the health and fitness expo. The tagline for the Eugene Marathon is “fast and flat,” so it’s a popular one. The race has a rich history and it has been named a “perfect race” by Runner’s World Magazine. It is scenic, as it is green, full of trees, and passes the Willamette river. Finishers cross the line at Hayward Field where they can feel the spirit of the likes of Steve Prefontaine and Bill Bowerman. The race is family friendly and there are various ways for children to participate before and after the race. The entry fee is $110 and this includes the health and fitness expo. The tagline for the Eugene Marathon is “fast and flat,” so it’s a popular one. The race has a rich history and it has been named a “perfect race” by Runner’s World Magazine. It is scenic, as it is green, full of trees, and passes the Willamette river. Finishers cross the line at Hayward Field where they can feel the spirit of the likes of Steve Prefontaine and Bill Bowerman. The race is family friendly and there are various ways for children to participate before and after the race. The entry fee is $110 and this includes the health and fitness expo. The tagline for the Eugene Marathon is “fast and flat,” so it’s a popular one. The race has a rich history and it has been named a “perfect race” by Runner’s World Magazine. It is scenic, as it is green, full of trees, and passes the Willamette river. Finishers cross the line at Hayward Field where they can feel the spirit of the likes of Steve Prefontaine and Bill Bowerman. The race is family friendly and there are various ways for children to participate before and after the race. The entry fee is $110 and this includes the health and fitness expo.

The tagline for the Eugene Marathon is “fast and flat,” so it’s a popular one. The race has a rich history and it has been named a “perfect race” by Runner’s World Magazine. It is scenic, as it is green, full of trees, and passes the Willamette river. Finishers cross the line at Hayward Field where they can feel the spirit of the likes of Steve Prefontaine and Bill Bowerman. The race is family friendly and there are various ways for children to participate before and after the race. The entry fee is $110 and this includes the health and fitness expo.

Eugene has a rich running history, and the Pacific Northwest Marathon adds to this reputation. The race has a net downhill and runners go along the Willametter River and through farm land to Harrisburg. Neighbors come out along the course to cheer on participants, giving it a great vibe. Leading up to the race, participants are encouraged to train together and there are prizes for doing so. The cost is very affordable at $65 until May 2^nd, which includes entry to the expo. This includes a medial and race shirt. The race is a Boston Qualifier The weather is cool at the starting line.

The Charleston Salmon Run is relatively new, as 2018 will be its second year in existence. The course is difficult and includes the “Seven Devils Road”, which is seven miles of climbing. That said, the elevation gain is not crazy with only 575 total feet. One spectacular point on the course is Cape Arago, which is home to hundreds of seals and sea lions. In addition, much of the course is along the coast, and it has sandy components, so training should take that into account. The course is not a Boston Qualifier. The entry fee is $79 and includes a medal and tee shirt.