Where's
Sally

By Sally Lynch

Sally Lynch is a freelance non profit fundraiser living in Portland, Oregon.
Contact her at sally.lynch@comcast.net

Rave Race Reviews — A Central Oregon Trifecta

I can stand in front of a group of people and say, “My name is Sally and I’m addicted to half marathons and I don’t see anything really wrong with that!”

My half marathon “addiction” began in 2001 while I was employed by the Arthritis Foundation of Oregon and coordinating the Joints-in-Motion marathon training program. A handful of nonprofit organizations, including the Arthritis Foundation, American Diabetes Association, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, were emerging in the 1990s with all-inclusive programs to coach/train/travel to great destination races. Participants in these programs had to meet specific fundraising goals set by their organization. While training with my team members I caught the half marathon bug.

Here are three races I have enjoyed, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Spray Rodeo Half Marathon and Relay
Memorial Day Weekend

Spray Rodeo Queen Jordan Payne.

Some years ago I spotted a race brochure that announced the “41st Annual Spray Half Marathon, the Oldest Half Marathon in Oregon.” How could I have not known about this race? I needed to do some research.

The Annual Spray Rodeo and Half Marathon and Relay event is held every Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. The weekend includes the race events, a town parade to celebrate the opening of a two-day rodeo, voted the 2008 Independent Rodeo of the Year. The whole weekend is a real feel-good experience.

The race starts at the historic Service Creek Stage Stop, 13.1 miles north of Spray. Service Creek, population zero, lies at the junction of Highway 207 and Highway 19. The Stage Stop has a restaurant, bait shop, general goods store, and boat rentals so you can float the John Day River, famous for its steelhead and trophy bass. A charming six-bedroom inn sits next to the store and makes a great start-line accommodation.

The race begins at 8 am (walkers at 7 am) in front of the Stage Stop and follows the John Day River all the way to Spray. Gorgeous sunlit red-rock canyons surround you as you travel along Highway 19, so incredibly close to the river. The only traffic you’ll see is the line of cars moving relay team participants, and event support staff. This is a technically flat course with minimal rolling terrain. The course provides aid stations and portable toilets. Hot showers are available at the high school adjacent to the finish line.

The Annual Spray Rodeo and Half Marathon and Relay is held in Wheeler County, an area rich in history. Spray is 73 miles south of the Columbia River and approximately 198 miles from Portland. Check the website for a list of places to stay as accommodations are limited. For more information, visit www.sprayrodeo.org or contact the fabulous race organizers, Dick and Jannie Allen, at djsea2@centurytel.net or call 541-422-7563.

Smith Rock Summer Sunrise Classic
Mid-July

Sally walking the Smith Rock Summer Sunrise Classic.

Six weeks later the Smith Rock Summer Sunrise Classic gets you to the start line bright and early. But it’s worth it! What a beautiful setting to start your Saturday morning at 6 am inside the Smith Rock State Park, with a dreamy orange and pink sky floating above the dramatic red cliffs. The course leads you out of the park on an out-and-back loop course on country roads. You’ll pass lush farmland, llamas, and distant hills. Rolling hills mixed with some flat terrain make this a moderate but not-too-challenging course. It can be warm on the second weekend of July, but with the early start you’re spared the toasty heat of the day.

The start line is just outside the little town of Terrebonne on Highway 26, and six miles north of Redmond. Trip accommodations are easy whether you are traveling from the Portland metro area, Salem, Eugene, Sisters, or Bend. One of the great things about this race is the Douglass family, who puts it on. Each of the five family members works to provide great service, including excellent parking and traffic control, aid stations, and start/finish area. For more information visit www.smithrockrace.com.

Painted Hills Festival Run
Labor Day Weekend

The Painted Ladies strutting their stuff at the Painted Hills Festival parade.

Get ready to lace up your shoes for the grand finale of the Oregon trifecta in Central Oregon. The Painted Hills Festival Run is held in Mitchell, OR on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. The Saturday festival celebration begins with a half marathon and includes a 10k and 5k race. Participants are bused to their race start location. Half marathon racers leave Mitchell at 8 am to the central core area of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Painted Hills Unit. High on a ridge sits an overlook area where you are surrounded by the breathtaking Painted Hills. This is your start line.

I found this a challenging course. From the overlook you race downhill on a packed gravel rock road. You then continue on a paved road with steady rolling hills. At about mile six (the 10k start location), you leave paved road for a loose dirt road that will take you over a deserted steep mountain ridge. As you drop down the backside of the ridge (the 5k start location), the views are quiet and surreal. You finish the last three miles on a paved two-lane road that brings you back into Mitchell just in time for the parade and festival activities.

A great change occurred in 2009. The race numbers had grown in all categories, including the half marathon. Fifteen racers participated in the half marathon, fourteen runners and me. But knowing there were more people who would eventually swish right by me gave me a world of confidence. The lead runner didn’t pass me until mile eight and I could visually see in the far distance the many 10k racers slogging up the steep ridge! Safety in numbers — life is good.

The Painted Hills Festival is a day to marvel at the a race experience and one you will always remember. Mitchell is located at Mile Post 66 on U.S. Highway 26. It’s 47 miles east of Prineville, 80 miles east of Bend, and 68 miles west of John Day. For more information, visit www.mitchelloregon.us or call 541-462-3682. Walk On!