When you ‘Half’ to Run
Consider these Northwest Gems
By Yitka Winn
Half marathons are the hip and happening race distance in the running world right now, sometimes as a 13.1-mile stand-alone distance garnering tens of thousands of runners, sometimes selling out ahead of their full 26.2-mile counterparts.
This year, the Northwest is serving up a delectable menu of options for the aspiring or seasoned half marathoner, ranging from old-time favorites like Portland’s Race for the Roses to the brand new (so new it doesn’t even have an official website yet!) Lake Padden Trail Half Marathon in Bellingham.
If you’re overwhelmed by the options, consider our picks for 2011:
Oregon’s got several great halfs all over Labor Day weekend. The second annual Eugene Women’s Half, Sept. 4 runners (and yes, gentlemen are welcome, too) will be treated to 13 miles of river trails and unrivaled pampering and goodies including great swag, an AVEDA finish line experience, Ghiradelli chocolate, and bubbly champagne. The all-new Sunriver Marathon for a Cause, Sept. 3-4, in central Oregon’s high desert benefits the Susan G. Komen Foundation with a two-day festival including family events on Saturday and a full and half marathon Sunday.
Oregon Wine Country. Photo by StollerVineyards.com
The 2011 Heroes Half will take place on Mother’s Day (May 8th) this year on the Yellow Ribbon Highway in Everett, Wash., with a flat and scenic closed highway course to honor active military, first responders, and mothers, and will raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Walkers, strollers, and dogs are all welcome! And of course who could resist a huckleberry milkshake at the end of Idaho’s Mesa Falls Marathon and Half Aug. 27?
Keep an eye out for our special trail running section in our May/June 2011 edition, but in the meantime, consider giving your body a break from the pavement with one of the Northwest’s off-road half marathons this year, which usually offer stunning views. The Timberline Marathon and Half, for example, features miles of scenic single track trails nestled deep in the high Cascades, with views of Mt. Hood across the lake.
Road Half Marathons
April 3: Race for the Roses Half Marathon, Portland, Ore. www.race4theroses.org
April 10: Whidbey Island Marathon and Half, Whidbey Island, Wash.www.whidbeyislandmarathon.com/race.cfm
April 16: Wenatchee Marathon and Half, Wenatchee, Wash. www.wenatcheemarathon.com
May 1: Eugene Marathon and Half, Eugene, Ore. www.eugenemarathon.com
May 1: Tacoma Marathon and Half, Tacoma, Wash. www.tacomacitymarathon.com
May 7: Cinco de Mayo Half Marathon, Snoqualmie, Wash. www.runsnoqualmie.com
May 8: Heroes Half, Everett, Wash. www.heroeshalf.com
May 15: Capital City Marathon and Half, Olympia, Wash. www.capitalcitymarathon.org
May 29: Coeur D’Alene Marathon and Half, Coeur D’Alene, Ida. www.cdamarathon.com
June 5: San Juan Island Marathon and Half, Friday Harbor, Wash. www.sjmarathon.org
June 4: Sun Valley Half Marathon, Sun Valley, Ida. www.sunvalleyhalfmarathon.com
June 5: North Olympic Discovery Marathon, Port Angeles, Wash. www.nodm.com
June 18: Beach to Chowder Half Marathon http://beachtochowder.com/
June 19: Vancouver USA Marathon and Half, Vancouver, Wash.www.vancouverusamarathon.com
June 25: Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and Half, Seattle, Wash. www.rnrseattle.com
June 26: Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon, Vancouver, BCwww.canadarunningseries.com/svhm
July 4: Flat Marathon and Half, Sauvie Island, Ore. www.foottraffic.us/flat
July 10: Langley Half Marathon, Whidbey Island, Wash. www.langleyhalfmarathon.com
Aug. 13: Crater Lake Marathon and Half, Crater Lake National Park, Ore.www.craterlakerimruns.com
Aug. 27: Mesa Falls Marathon/Half, Ashton, Idaho http://mesafallsmarathon.com/
Sept. 3-4: Sunriver Marathon for a Cause, Sunriver, Ore. www.sunriver-resort.com/race
Sept. 4: Eugene Women’s Half Marathon, Eugene, Ore. www.eugenewomenshalf.com
Sept. 4: Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon, Willamette Valley, Ore.www.run4oregonwine.com/
Sept. 11: Skagit Flats Marathon and Half, Burlington, Wash. www.skagitflatsmarathon.com
Sept. 17: Fort Lewis Half Marathon, Fort Lewis, Wash. www.jblmmwr.com
Sept. 25: Bellingham Bay Marathon and Half, Bellingham, Wash.www.bellinghambaymarathon.org
Oct. 9: Good Life Fitness Victoria Marathon and Half, Victoria, BC.www.royalvictoriamarathon.com
Oct. 9: Spokane Marathon, Spokane, Wash. www.spokanemarathon.us/
Oct. 9: Portland Marathon and Half, Portland, Ore. www.portlandmarathon.org
Oct. 15: Leavenworth Oktoberfest Marathon and Half, Leavenworth, Wash.www.leavenworthmarathon.com
Oct. 16: Poulsbo Marathon and Half, Poulsbo, Wash.www.poulsbomarathon.embarqspace.com
Oct. 22: Columbia River Power Marathon and Half, Umatilla, Ore.www.columbiarivermarathon.com
Nov. 27: Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon and Half, Seattle, Wash.www.seattlemarathon.org
Trail Half Marathons
May 22: Lord Hill Trail Half Marathon, Snohomish, Wash. www.nwtrailruns.com
June 4-5: Timberline Marathon and Half, Mt. Hood, Ore. http://roguemultisport.com/featureevents/timberlinemarathon.html
June 12: FootZone Dirty Half, Bend, Ore. http://dirtyhalf.footzonebend.com
Aug. 6: Grand Ridge Trail Half Marathon, Issaquah, Wash. www.evergreentrailruns.com
Aug. 7: Haulin’ Aspen Trail Marathon and Half, Bend, Ore. www.freshairsports.com
Aug. 14: Port Gamble Half Marathon, Port Gamble, Wash. www.rootsrockrun.com
Nov. 5: Silver Falls Trail Half Marathon, Silverton, Ore. www.runwildadventures.com
Lynn Youngs, 1 year ago
I am not sure when this was written and posted but you are missing one of the best and fun Half Marathons in Oregon, The Runaway Pumpkin Half Marathon, which is planned for October 19, 2013 in Lebanon, OR.
Costume contest with prizes, Beautiful country course along the South Santiam River with mostly flat or small inclines. Great Food, free massages and sports medicine, First Place man and woman receive a $250 Lowes Gift card. Proceeds of this race are used by ABC House to provide services for abused children. To find out more or register go to http://www.runawaypumpkinhalf.org or the Runaway Pumpkin Half Facebook Page.