Discovery Bellingham Volksfest
September 11-13, 2009

The NW Tulip Trekkers have created a true walking festival. Three full days of walks with five different 10k walk routes with three shorter options and a 15k option. Event walks include a 10k to Whatcom Falls Park with an additional 5k option that takes you to an outdoor sculpture garden set in a 2.5 acre grove of evergreens. Other walks include a 10k walk though downtown Bellingham, WA, and the local marina and a walk though Western Washington University and Sehome Hill Arboretum. Enjoy a 700 foot elevation gain for spectacular views of the of the San Juan Islands and the Canadian Coastal Mountain Range in British Columbia.

The festival’s new walk is on trails around Lake Padden, WA. The signature walk for Saturday is a 10k route that includes a ferry ride ($5 fee) across Bellingham Bay, with a history lesson of the area along the way, returning though historic Fairhaven, walking along the bay, the Depot Farmers Market and downtown. Save Sunday for the walk you did not have time for earlier. There are an additional four AVA sanctioned routes within Bellingham.

In addition to the event are three friendship socials, and an ice cream social before the Leaders’ Group Walk, and a Meet-n-Greet after the walk. The final social is a salmon dinner Saturday evening.

For more information and a complete schedule of events visit www.nwtrekkers.org.

Pints to Pasta
September 13, 2009

If you are looking for a precursor to the Portland Marathon, then come out and join the crowd on September 13th. The route replicates part of the Portland marathon route beginning at mile 22. This 10k has been voted as one of the best and is not to be missed. The event director, Paula Harkin, started this event in 2003; she wanted to get away from downtown and offer a beautiful route starting at the adidas campus, meandering through some of Portland’s historic neighborhoods, and ending at the Spaghetti Factory (all downhill).

From this vantage point you can get a fantastic view of beautiful downtown Portland and all of its magnificent bridges. Harkin brought together the sponsors adidas, the Old Spaghetti Factory, and Widmer Brothers Brewing and they bring the pasta and the pints. This event is a must for those training for the marathon, and it is also a great first-time event. Come out and join the fun, food, and brew.

For more information call 503-691-6888 or visit www.runwithpaula.com.

Fitness Celebration
September 24-25, 2009

The St. Luke’s Women’s Fitness Celebration 5k Run, Walk, and Stroll, takes place each September in downtown Boise, ID. The event was founded to inspire healthy attitudes in participants so that it reaches their families and communities. Grandmothers and Girl Scouts, elite runners and stroller moms: they all compete on the same course, on the same day.

Now in its 17th year, the event begins with packet pick-up at the Celebration Women’s Show — Idaho’s favorite destination for women. The Celebration Women’s Show is exciting, entertaining, and boasts an attendance of more than 25,000 people. On Saturday, September 26th, the inspiration continues at America’s largest and favorite 5k for women.

Celebration participants get their groove on at the high-energy start line. Along the course they experience music, cheering, and beautiful views of the city as they travel toward Ann Morrison Park. Handsome men clad in tuxedos greet the women as they cross the finish line and enter the Finish Line Party, home to an incredible post-race breakfast, live entertainment, and awards ceremony.

In addition to those that participate for fun and companionship, the event also attracts an elite field of competitive runners, racewalkers and wheelchair athletes from Idaho and around the country. These women bring an opportunity to meet world-class athletes, and see how they perform and compete. For many of the elite athletes it is the chance to help deliver a positive message of inspiration for health and well being to participants, their families, and communities.
For more information and to register online, visit www.celebrateall.org.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas
December 6, 2009

The inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon and Half Marathon powered by Zappos.com to benefit the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America will debut this December with a revamped, glitzy new course.

In unprecedented fashion, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas event will close Las Vegas Boulevard to all vehicular traffic and instead will rock with tens of thousands of walkers and runners. Half marathoners will enjoy the sites and sounds of Las Vegas Boulevard for nearly the entire 13.1-mile course, with marathoners alongside for approximately 10.5 miles.

The marathon and half marathon will start together near Mandalay Bay and both finish in the Mandalay Bay parking lot, where participants, friends and family can celebrate with live music, food, and beer at the Finish Line Festival.

In keeping with the true spirit of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, the Las Vegas race features live bands, themed water stations and cheerleaders along the course. Throw in the infamous Running Elvis and a run-through wedding chapel where participants can get married or renew their vows and you have one amazing event weekend.

A free two-day “Health and Fitness Expo” will be held December 4 and 5 to kickoff the event weekend. The Expo will be open to the public and feature the latest health and nutrition information with a variety of products for sample and sale and fitness-related clinics.

With the excitement of the new course, the Las Vegas event is expected to sell out like the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon races in San Antonio and Seattle.

Visit visit www.las-vegas.competitor.com or call 800-311-1255 for more information or to register for the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas.