By Susan Rich

The Assignment: Find an event that walkers and their families, friends, and maybe even the family dog can work into a long weekend here in the Pacific Northwest or schedule as an out-of-town extended vacation.
The Goal: Events that are walker-friendly, maybe even kid-friendly too. An offering of marathons and half marathons, youth events, and 5ks so that everyone — regardless of age or training experience — can join in and have some fun.
The Result: Destination Events: Do ‘em anywhere but near.

Hoofing it in the Nation’s Most Walkable City
Prefer to stay in town and walk? What a great idea! Prevention magazine recently dubbed Portland the most walker-friendly city in the US.

The Portland Marathon is one of the reasons why. With a course that is open nine hours, plenty of aid stations, and live entertainment, the event is a perfect pick for first-time marathoners and a joy for those repeating the experience.

Portland Marathon
October 1, 2006
Marathon only
www.portlandmarathon.org

Walk the Strip
This is the second year for the New Las Vegas Marathon, and it has already gained a reputation for offering the kind of glitz and glamour the city itself is known for: It’s not uncommon for participants to prance the streets dressed as showgirls.

For the more serious walkers the New Las Vegas Marathon is on track to attract 25,000 participants this year. And walkers are welcome too, says Bernie Yuman, race chairman. Opening the event to walkers was the number one request received after last year’s inaugural event.

The marathon begins with a pre-dawn display of fireworks in front of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. The course follows the entire Las Vegas Strip, with participants loping past hotels such as New York–New York, MGM Grand, Bellagio, The Venetian and the new Wynn Las Vegas.

New Las Vegas Marathon
Marathon, Half Marathon
December 10, 2006
www.lvmarathon.com

Memory-making Marathon
The Lake Tahoe Marathon offers a smorgasbord of options for walkers and their families.

Walkers have a choice of a full marathon, a half, a 20-mile power walk, and a 10k.

Family and friends can take advantage of this week-long event that offers the chance to run, walk, bike, paddle, golf, or swim — surrounded by one of the most breathtaking vistas in the country.

Lake Tahoe Marathon
Marathon, Half Marathon, 20-mile Power walk
Week of September 26 to October 1, 2006
www.laketahoemarathon.com

Walk Atop the Great Wall
Looking for the ultimate walkabout? Check out Kathy Loper Events. The full-service travel-event company offers the experience of a lifetime:
Marathons or shorter distance events, coupled with sightseeing excursions that are geared for the whole family, set against the backdrop of got-to-see locales such as China and Tanzania.

Once participants sign up, the only to-do left on the list is acquiring a passport and visa. “We arrange airfare, hotel, sightseeing tours plus the event itself: it all comes as a package,” explains Loper.

These out-of-country trips are becoming increasingly popular. In 2005, 140 people signed up to walk on top of the Great Wall of China; in 2006 the number jumped to 200.

Demand is equally strong to visit Tanzania, where hoofing it in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro is the objective of the day. Post event, participants and their families can enjoy a slice of Africa, complete with a safari, she says.

For more information, visit www.kathyloperevents.com. Plan early; these events sell out quickly.

Stepping Out in Beautiful British Columbia
A paved, spectator-friendly course greets walkers and their families during the annual Vancouver International Marathon. The course covers a route so scenic and visually fascinating you’ll want to go exploring after the event.

Last year’s event had more than 14,400 participants who enjoyed the long and winding road through Chinatown, Strathcona, Gastown, Coal Harbour, and beautiful Stanley Park.

For the rest of the time you spend in this fair city, consider visiting Grouse Mountain, the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge, Granville Island Public Market, and the Van Dusen Botanical Garden.

Vancouver International Marathon
May 6, 2007
Marathon, Half Marathon, Wheelchair Full Marathon, Kids MaraFun
www.vanmarathon.ca/hm

Say Hello to Hollywood
Big changes are afoot for one of the nation’s most popular marathons.

This year the race starts at Universal Studios in Hollywood. Participants will run or walk down Hollywood and Sunset boulevards, passing by historic and cultural landmarks, finishing in the city’s downtown business district.

The new course is also designed to make the LA Marathon the
“fastest race in the history of the event,” claims LA Marathon President Dr. William A. Burke. By eliminating many of the hills that marked the traditional route, the course offers runners the opportunity to set US and world records.

“This is a mostly downhill course that holds the potential for our fastest times ever. When you combine that with a new start line at one of the world’s most popular theme parks, we expect the largest increase in out-of-town participants in our history.”

Starting at Universal Studios makes the LA Marathon a family-friendly event: Your children can face down the scariest demons in movie history, while you conquer your own on race day.

The Los Angeles Marathon is the largest marathon held in California, the fourth largest in the country, and the seventh largest in the world. The event also relies on the talents of more than 12,000 volunteers and is viewed by approximately one million spectators. It is expected to draw more than 26,000 runners from 50 states and 100 countries in 2007.

LA Marathon
March 4, 2007
www.lamarathon.com

Foot Traffic and Airplanes
This is one summertime event that is fun for the whole family: A marathon, half marathon, and 5k set against the excitement of SEAFAIR and its impressive air show that draws tens of thousands spectators.

The Virginia Mason Team Medicine Marathon takes place in Bellevue, WA, a quick drive up from Portland. The course is USATF certified and a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. Proceeds benefit cancer research at
Virginia Mason Medical Center.

Virginia Mason Team Medicine Marathon/SEAFAIR
July 8, 2007
Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K
www.seafairmarathon.com

A Trek Through the Emerald City
“Don’t Run, Walk” is the invitation issued to walkers for the annual Seattle Marathon. Scheduled annually over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, this event blessedly mitigates that extra helping of pumpkin pie.

The course is RRCA- and AIMS-certified, and participants will experience rolling hills and breathtaking views of downtown Seattle and Lake Wash.

Kids are welcome too — a 1.2 mile Fun Run makes the Seattle Marathon a family affair. More than 3,000 kids walked or ran last year.

Sponsored by the University of Washington Medical Center, proceeds go to the living legacy foundation: Saving lives through organ and tissue donation.

The Seattle Marathon
Marathon, Kids Run
November 25, 2006
www.seattlemarathon.org

For Women Only
The second annual Leading Ladies’ Marathon was back in August, so mark your calendar for next year. This all-woman marathon features a gentle downhill journey through Spearfish Canyon. Elevation drops from 6,000’ to 3,400’ — so if you get tired of walking, just lie down and roll. The course is open seven hours; aid stations are “manned” with volunteers handing out chocolate and energy drinks.

Leading Ladies’ Marathon
August 19, 2007
www.leadingladiesmarathon.com

Discover Walking
The 11th Annual International Discovery Walk Festival is sponsored by International Walk Fest and the City of Vancouver WA.

Sanctioned by IVA/IVV and IML Walking Association, this family-friendly, walker-friendly weekend event offers a wide range of hikes — from 5k to 42k, including a separately managed marathon and half marathon.

Walkers earn credit towards awards as an International Master Walker. It is also sanctioned by the IVV for volkssport credit toward lifelong achievement awards.

11th Annual International Discovery Walk Festival
April 27 to 29, 2007
Distances vary, check website for details
www.discoverywalk.org

Big Coast, Bigger View
Hard, grueling, mountainous, windy, spectacular, unforgiving, rewarding, spiritual, and mystical are words people use to describe the Big Sur International Marathon. The event is the largest rural marathon in the world. It is USATF-certified, and the course travels through redwood forests and offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

The Big Sur International Marathon is geared for racewalkers who can complete the course in six hours or less — slower walkers will be required to take the sag wagon at mile marker 22 if their pace falls short of 13:40 per mile.

On a less strenuous scale, the Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay is a timed, competitive event. Finishers receive a beautiful ceramic medallion by artist Kathleen Kelly. Walkers must be able to complete the course in 3.5 hours. For the less-fleet of foot, there is also a 10-mile walk and a 5k.

Families and friends can make a weekend excursion out of either event: The area offers everything from whale watching to wine tasting, golf, beachcombing, and bicycling.

These events sell out quickly so be sure to sign up early for next year.

Big Sur International Marathon
April 29, 2007
Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay
October 29, 2006
To register for events, visit www.bsim.org

Wondrous Whidbey Island
Nestled in Washington State’s Puget Sound, Whidbey Island is the second-longest island in the continental USA. Host to an annual marathon and half marathon, the island provides participants with picturesque ocean views as the course meanders along farmland back roads.

Other family members can enjoy a tranquil weekend exploring the town, where fine restaurants and other outdoor activities abound.

Only the half marathon is open to walkers, but the event is well
supported with food and water stations and a unique finisher’s medal.
The course is USATF-certified and is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. Proceeds go to WAIF, Whidbey Animal’s Improvement Foundation.

Whidbey Island Marathon
Marathon, Half Marathon
April 15, 2007
www.Whidbeyislandmarathon.com

Accessible Only by Air or Water
Getting to the island is part of the adventure: The San Juan Island
Marathon and Half is not to be missed. To Get to the island, take a flight from the event-sponsor San Juan Airlines (only a 27-minute flight from Seattle) or ride a Washington State Ferry. The town of Friday Harbor is very manageable on foot, so there’s no need for a car. The marathon is one of the many activities happening the first weekend of June. Not only are there self-guided art tours, but the family can also whale watch, bird watch, and go kayaking before or after the event. This quant town offers great B&B’s as well as the Best Western–Friday Harbor Suites as the host hotel.
The half marathon is open to walkers and takes you around the island past horse farms and lavender farms. All finishers get a handcrafted
finishers medal.

San Juan Marathon
June 3, 2007
www.sanjuanislandmarathon.com