27th Annual Great Columbia Crossing

Take the bridge less traveled with more than 2,000 runners and walkers crossing the Columbia River on foot across the beautiful Astoria-Megler Bridge. The 27th Annual Great Columbia Crossing in Astoria, OR, challenges athletes and outdoor enthusiasts alike to an invigorating 10k trek. Rising 205 feet above water, the bridge, typically open to vehicles and bikes only, takes participants from the Washington to Oregon side of the Columbia River across the longest continuous truss span bridge in North America.

The communities of Astoria and Warrenton are located on Oregon’s historic North Coast, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, 90 miles northwest of Portland. It is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies and has a rich maritime history. Still home to a working waterfront, Astoria boasts a vibrant cultural scene including art galleries, museums, restaurants, shops, Victorian homes, and the internationally acclaimed Columbia River Maritime Museum.

Participants may check in and pick up a commemorative T-shirt on Saturday, October 11 at Astoria High School. There will be late registration on Sunday, October 12 at the Port of Astoria office. On Sunday, T-shirts will not be available for purchase until after the race is over.

To register for next years event online visit www.greatcolumbiacrossing.com or by calling the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce at 800-875-6807.

2008 Mad Hatter Lupus Walk & Roll

The “Mad Hatter” announces the 2008 Lupus Walk & Roll in four cities of the Pacific Northwest, reaching more people and creating more awareness about lupus. The goal this year is to be bigger than ever and participation can make a huge difference.

The Northwest chapter has made it easier to raise funds online. It gives you an opportunity to make your own webpage and collect safe and secure donations online.

Each dollar raised from this two and a half mile walk provides hope and support for patient programs to over 54,000 lupus patients in the Pacific Northwest Region. Help raise money and awareness for lupus, America’s most prevalent, autoimmune disease. We are sure you will make a difference!

There will be food, music, prizes and lots of fun waiting for you. Call 877-774-2992 or vist www.lupuspnw.org for more information.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon/
Half Added to Seafair in 2009
June 27, 2009

The Competitor Group, organizers of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series, announced that Seattle will be the next home of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and Half Marathon. The inaugural race is set to kick off the city’s annual Seafair summer celebration, and will travel from Tukwila to Seattle on Saturday, June 27, 2009.

“The Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle will be staged in conjunction with the city’s annual Seafair festival,” said Peter Englehart, Chief Executive Officer of the Competitor Group. “We are excited about hosting an inaugural field of between 15,000-20,000 runners and walkers, plus we’ll be bringing not only our standard backdrop of having a rock ‘n’ roll band stationed at every mile along the race course, but also a world-class health and fitness expo as well as a headliner concert.”

The courses will run past many of the city’s notable sites and tourist attractions and feature live bands and cheerleaders along the courses at each mile. Organizers plan to unveil the courses later in 2008.
The two-day Health & Fitness Expo that precedes each and every musical marathon will host over one hundred fitness retailers, exhibits and clinics. 
“The 2009 Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon will be a great opportunity for us to showcase Seattle in the summer, especially since it will be broadcast nationally on Fox Sports Net,” said Beth Knox, Executive Director of Seafair. “We’re excited to show the world what makes Seattle an ideal vacation city, and know that the race will be the perfect kickoff to our annual Seafair.”

After crossing the finish line outside of Qwest Field, participants will be treated to a post-race headliner concert Saturday night at Mary Moor Park in honor of their accomplishments. All runners, walkers, and event volunteers receive free entry to the concert with their race number. Past acts at other Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathons include SEAL, INXS, Journey, Chris Isaak, Goo Goo Dolls and Hootie & the Blowfish.
 
For more information or to register online for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Marathon and Half Marathon visit www.rnrseattle.com.