Destination Events for All Seasons

By Susan Rich

Just because the seasons change doesn’t mean you have to spend the next few months indoors waiting for the rain, or snow, or burning hot weather to cease. From Portland, OR, to the sacred land of the Lakota Sioux, there are more destination events offered than you can shake a walking stick at.

Walk About takes a look at just a few of the events west of the Mississippi River that are walker friendly.

More and more marathons are becoming walker-friendly — a long-awaited and much welcomed shift in the industry. Others are touted as family-friendly, and the journey that began with your single step can create memories lasting beyond the finish line.

Autumn

Discover Bellingham VolksFest
Bellingham, WA
September 7 to 9, 2007
www.nwtrekkers.org
Touted as “three days, five walks, and three socials,” this festival focuses on walking, food, and friendship. This is sponsored by the NW Tulip Trekkers, a walking club based in the coastal counties between Seattle and Canada.

St Luke’s Women’s Fitness Celebration
Boise, ID
September 20 to 22, 2007
www.celebrateall.org
Celebrating women and girls since 1993, the St. Luke’s Women’s Fitness Celebration is a three-day event that includes a two-day Women’s Show and a 5k Run, Walk, and Stroll. Since 1993, the event has grown each year as more women share the event with family and friends. With Boise just a short airplane flight away from Portland, this makes the perfect Girl’s Weekend Away — no matter how old you are.

Lake Tahoe Marathon, 20-miler, and Half
Lake Tahoe, CA
September 25 to 30, 2007
www.laketahoemarathon.com
Walkers have a choice of a full marathon, a half, a 20-mile power walk, and a 10k. Longer distances follow the spectacular western shoreline of Lake Tahoe and include the challenging hills that surround Emerald Bay. The event is also family-friendly, offering an abundance of activities for all: Run, walk, bike, paddle, golf, or swim for a week you’ll all remember.

Portland Marathon, 5-Miler, 10k Mayor’s Walk, Marafun Kid’s Run
Portland, OR
October 7, 2007
www.portlandmarathon.org
With a course that remains open for nine walker-friendly hours, boasts plenty of aid stations, and features more than 70 kinds of live entertainment along the way, the Portland Marathon is a perfect pick for first-time marathoners and a joy for those repeating the experience. The Portland Marathon is USATF certified and a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

Seattle Marathon, Fun Run for Kids
Seattle, WA
November 25, 2007
www.seattlemarathon.org
“Win Your Own Race” is the challenge issued to this year’s group of walkers and runners. Held over the Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend, rolling hills and breathtaking views help mitigate that extra helping of pumpkin pie. The course is RRCA and AIMS certified. Kids are also welcome to join in a 1.2 mile Fun Run. Sponsored by the University of Washington Medical Center, proceeds go to the living legacy foundation — saving lives through organ and tissue donation.

WINTER

Las Vegas Marathon
Las Vegas, NV
December 2, 2007
www.lvmarathon.com
Need a break after Thanksgiving or before Christmas? Head for Las Vegas and walk with Elvis, renew your wedding vows in the “Only in Vegas” run thru wedding chapel, or just come for the event and party. This flat, fast course has both a full and a half marathon and oh, so much more. See back cover for a special contest for Walk About readers.

Carlsbad Marathon and Half
Carlsbad, CA
January 20, 2008
www.sdmarathon.com
Take a break from the Northwest winter blahs and head to Carlsbad, a town renowned for its sunshine, surf, and sea breezes. With 26 fully staffed support stations, continuous entertainment, and focus on individualized attention, this haven makes for a lovely destination walk.

SPRING

Whidbey Island Marathon, Half Marathon
Whidbey Island, WA
April 13, 2008
whidbeyislandmarathon.com
Nestled in the Puget Sound, Whidbey Island offers walkers picturesque ocean views as they meander along tranquil back roads. 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. Proceeds go to WAIF, Whidbey Animal’s Improvement Foundation.

Vancouver Discovery Walk Festival
Vancouver, WA
April 25 to 27, 2008
www.discoverywalk.org
The Discovery Walk Festival is sponsored by International Walk Fest and the City of Vancouver, WA. Walkers and military units from around the world attend this annual event. It is sanctioned by the IML Walking Association (formerly the International Marching League) and the AVA/IVV (American and International volkssport organizations) for volkssport credit towards lifetime achievement awards. Walkers also earn credits towards becoming an International Master Walker.

Eugene Marathon, Half, 5k
Eugene, OR
May 4, 2008
www.eugenemarathon.com
The second annual Eugene Marathon follows a course that is fast, flat, and scenic. Starting from historic Hayward Field — home of three Olympic trials, eight NCAA championships, and countless national and world record breaking efforts — walkers and runners will ramble along scenic river trails, cross foot bridges over the Willamette River and weave through six different state parks before finishing in front of University of Oregon’s Autzen Stadium.

Big Sur International Marathon
Big Sur, CA
April 27, 2008
www.BSIM.org
Come for a walk on the edge of the western world. That just about sums up this event. Not only is there the marathon but there is a marathon relay, 21-miler, 10.6 and 9 miler, and a 5k. What more could you ask for? These events always sell out so start planning your trip now.

Tacoma City Marathon, Half, 10k
Tacoma, WA
May 10, 2008
www.tacomacitymarathon.com
With its breathtaking views of Mount Rainier, Commencement Bay, Port Defiance Park, and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, the second annual Tacoma City Marathon is a welcome addition to the event circuit. It’s also walker friendly: The marathon course is open seven hours, and the half marathon course is open four and a half hours.

Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon and Half
Deadwood, SD
June 8, 2008
www.deadwoodmickelsontrailmarathon.com
What sets this event apart is location, location, location: The Deadwood Marathon runs through the sacred land of the Lakota Sioux and ends at a historic landmark: The entire town of Deadwood, SD. If you go, be sure to add a few side trips to see Mt. Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Monument, and Devil’s Tower. The walker-friendly course remains open for seven hours. Course is USATF certified and a Boston Marathon qualifier.

North Olympic Discovery Marathon and Half
Sequim, WA
June 8, 2008
www.nodm.com
This event makes headlines as the best “boutique” marathon in North America. The trail incorporates the Olympic Discovery Trail with stunning views of the Olympic Mountains and a five-mile finishing stretch along the shores of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Lavender thrives in this climate and you will be greeted by great swaths of pungent purple herb fields. The race is USATF sanctioned and a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

Rainier to Ruston Rail-Trail Relay
Rainier, WA
Visit www.rainiertoruston.com for 2008 date.
Next year will be the sixth annual Rainier to Ruston Rail-Trail Relay and Ultra. The 50-mile course follows the Foothills Trail from the shoulders of Mt. Rainier to the shores of Puget Sound. Walkers are welcome to travel through pristine wilderness and historic communities, following the old Northern Pacific railroad grade that once brought settlers and supplies into the west.

San Juan Island Marathon and Half
San Juan Island, WA
Visit www.sanjuanislandmarathon.com for 2008 date.
San Juan Island is located just off the northwest coast of Washington State, so getting there is part of the adventure. This event loops walkers around the island, past horse ranches and lavender farms. All finishers receive a hand-crafted medal. It’s also a perfect weekend getaway for the entire family: Whale watching, bird watching, and kayaking are all must-dos.

SUMMER

Virginia Mason Team Medicine Marathon
Bellevue, WA
Visit www.seafairmarathon.com for 2008 date.
The walker-friendly marathon, half-marathon, and 5k are set against the annual excitement of SEAFAIR with tens of thousands of spectators. The course is USATF certified and a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. Proceeds benefit cancer research at the hospital.

Portland-to-Coast Relay
Portland, OR
Visit www.hoodtocoast.com for 2008 date
This walker-friendly relay shares the road with the world-famous Hood-to-Coast relay. Walkers start in downtown Portland and hoof it to Seaside, OR — 126 miles of rolling hills and plains. It’s the largest walk relay in the world, culminating in one of the season’s best beach parties.

Leading Ladies Marathon
Spearfish, SD
Visit www.leadingladiesmarathon.com for 2008 date
A 26.2-mile walker-friendly downhill swoop that takes you through Spearfish Canyon in South Dakota. Elevation drops from 6,000’ to 3,400’ — so if you get tired of walking, just lie down and roll. Designed with women in mind, it’s a great gal-pal getaway or a new tradition for mothers and daughters.