Reflections on May Flowers 5k/10k
A Good Start for a Great Event!

In mid-April, my husband Doug and I received a postcard in the mail announcing one of our new favorite events — the Foot Traffic Flat Half. On that same postcard was a less daunting, but no less intriguing, new event: the Foot Traffic May Flower 5k/10k/Triathlon. Both Doug and I are master racewalkers and can walk fairly long distances, but neither of us had been training much, so the choice was simple — do the 5k.

Race morning (May 9) dawned overcast and chilly, a typical Oregon May morning. When we arrived at Hillsboro Stadium at 7am, preparations were underway. At 8:15, we were off — starting just outside the stadium on a walkway heading downhill. I felt like sandwich filling, a race walker in the middle of runners and fitness walkers.

The course overall was nice and flat, perfect for racewalking, with a slight downhill (and then uphill) about a third of the way through the course. The speed bumps out of the stadium parking lot, which provided an interesting terrain variation. The volunteers were friendly and enthusiastic, including the teenage ladies who cheered wildly as we passed and the volunteer who commented (as I rounded the cone at the halfway point): “You’re only the second person I’ve seen racewalk!” The three runners behind me told her, “I’ll bet her husband was the first!”

Doug finished about five minutes ahead of me and cheered as I entered the Hillsboro Stadium. The artificial turf was a unique (but comfortable) finishing surface. As we cooled down in the stands, we watched the kids’ events and some of the 10kers and triathletes finish their event. There were 40+ athletes in each of the events.

Hippie Chick Half Marathon and Quarter Marathon: A New Mother’s Day Tradition

Over 500 women gave up their breakfasts in bed this past Mother’s Day in exchange for a morning of sunshine, exercise, and family picnics at the Hippie Chick Half and Quarter Marathon held at Champoeg State Park. This family-friendly event, organized by Run with Paula, began with a kid’s one-mile fun run where children of all ages experienced the joy of exercise. Then began the all-women’s half and quarter marathons, which wound through the wooded trails of the park.

The course was well supported with plenty of aid stations and porta-potties. The finish line was open and welcoming through to the final walker. The finisher’s area had plenty of treats including Jamba Juices and Cinnabons. After the event, families set up picnics under the sun to celebrate Mother’s Day with some very proud moms.

The Race to Stop Global Warming:
1,500 People Walk for a Cause

Held on the Wildwood Trail in Forest Park, above the Portland Zoo, “The Race to Stop Global Warming” brought out families and friends you normally do not see at walking events. They came for a cause. The mood was cheerful and the air was full of energy. It was obvious that many of the people who support this race do so because the cause is something they seriously believe in.

The course was a well-marked trail. It was well supported with bottles of water and restrooms. The last few meters of the course, when 8k and 5k participants were sent in different directions, could have been better organized as it was confusing as to where each participant should go.
Matthew Follett, organizer of the race, reported that 1,500 people made this a successful event

Pugs at the Pub

The 2004 Pug Crawl hosted by the Portland Brewing Company on Sunday, May 23, was a huge success for the animals at the Oregon Humane Society thanks to the work of organizer Craig Olson, a pug owner.

More than 1,300 attended with their canines in tow, most of which were pugs. Pug lovers from across the country and all areas of Oregon spent a lovely, sunny, and warm afternoon celebrating pugs and other canine friends.

All proceeds from this event, which included a parade, fashion show, costume contest, and kissing booth benefited the animals at the Oregon Humane Society (OHS). Over $12,000 was raised. A calendar, Pugs of Portland, featuring 12 lucky pugs from the event, will be available in November with all proceeds going to OHS as well.

Lacamas Lake Memorial Day 10-Mile Race

For an inaugural event, this race was very well run. The start/finish at the new Camas High School was convenient with plenty of parking and facilities. The walkers started well ahead of the runners at 7am. The entire course was clearly marked with plenty of water stations and lots of enthusiastic volunteers at each.

The course was a fast downhill at the start, then a gentle uphill on paved roads for several miles before going onto a well-groomed trail around Lacamas Lake. The last mile was back up the killer hill to the school track for the finish.

The organizers had just about everything covered. I was looking for free fresh orange wedges, bananas, and bagels, but there were none. There was, however, an open concession stand. There were plenty of sponsor tents to wander by before and after the race. I've been assured that next year there will be awards for the walk participants.

All in all, this was a great inaugural event. Watch for it to improve and grow into a top-notch Clark County walking and running event.

5th Biennial Columbia River Gorge Classic

From around the nation they came to participate in one or more of the 11 walking events and one bike event held the third weekend of June every other year. Over the four days, the event drew about 700 participants from 21 states across the nation, Canada, and as far away as Germany.

Perennial favorites include either a 12k or 25k hike up magnificent Eagle Creek Canyon, which rises high above the creek below, past several waterfalls through a tunnel under the falls to the headwaters of Eagle Creek. The 10k Wahkeena and Multnomah Falls walk goes by 11 waterfalls in the six-mile hike including the second highest year-round waterfall in the U.S. and most visited site in Oregon – Multnomah Falls.

This is the fifth time that the Columbia River Volkssporting Club has sponsored the Columbia River Gorge Biennial Classic, which is always a four-day event held over Father’s Day weekend every other year and hosted by the town of Cascade Locks, OR. Volkssport walks are non-competitive walking events, which are family oriented and designed to promote physical fitness and to make new friends from around the country. If you weren’t able to join them this year, mark your calendar for the 10-year anniversary 6th Columbia River Gorge Biennial Classic, which will be held two years from now on June 15-18, 2006 over Father’s Day weekend.

Cinco de Mayo 5k & 10k Run/Walk

The Cinco de Mayo 5k and 10k run/walk on May 2 in downtown Portland tied in perfectly with the annual festival that was held during the week. Participants checked in near the World Trade Center on the waterfront. There were racewalkers, speedwalkers, and fitness walkers participating with the many runners, about 500 folks in all. The clear dry morning weather was perfect for a run or walk. The course was fairly flat going south along Front/Naito, with a gradual incline on Harrison Street, continued flat on 4th Street and looped back on the waterfront. This was a great event for the beginning racewalker, and the more advanced could work on their pace time. The course was well marked and help from the local law enforcement kept the race safe from traffic. Snazzy long-sleeved event T-shirts featuring a bull dancing around a sombrero were available for purchase. This was a great event to get geared up for the upcoming summer events.