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Tuesday, March 19, 2024
March 19, 2024

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Runners set to spring into host of local races

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Evan Mrazik, 7, from Portland, runs at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.
Evan Mrazik, 7, from Portland, runs at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. The park is a favorite among runners for its picturesque scenery. Photo Gallery

• March 1: Fort Vancouver Run (kids’ races, 5K, 12K, Fort Vancouver, $40, $18 for ages 3 to 18, $8 to $12 for kids run, energyevents.com/fortvancouverrun

• March 22: Couve Clover Run (3, 7, 10 miles), 800 Main St. Vancouver, $50 to $60, $25 to $45 for ages 16 and younger, www.active.com/vancouver-wa/running/races/couve-clover-run-2015

• April 4: Tulip Trot 5K, Holland America Bulb Farm, $15 to $25, www.woodlandtulipshabf.com/tulip-trot-5k

• April 11: Blacklight Run, Clark County Event Center, $40, www.blacklightrun.com/portland-2015

&#8226; March 1: Fort Vancouver Run (kids' races, 5K, 12K, Fort Vancouver, $40, $18 for ages 3 to 18, $8 to $12 for kids run, <a href="http://energyevents.com/fortvancouverrun">energyevents.com/fortvancouverrun</a>

&#8226; March 22: Couve Clover Run (3, 7, 10 miles), 800 Main St. Vancouver, $50 to $60, $25 to $45 for ages 16 and younger, <a href="http://www.active.com/vancouver-wa/running/races/couve-clover-run-2015">www.active.com/vancouver-wa/running/races/couve-clover-run-2015</a>

&#8226; April 4: Tulip Trot 5K, Holland America Bulb Farm, $15 to $25, <a href="http://www.woodlandtulipshabf.com/tulip-trot-5k">www.woodlandtulipshabf.com/tulip-trot-5k</a>

&#8226; April 11: Blacklight Run, Clark County Event Center, $40, <a href="http://www.blacklightrun.com/portland-2015">www.blacklightrun.com/portland-2015</a>

&#8226; April 12: Blooms to Brews Marathon (marathon, relay, half marathon, 10K), Horseshoe Lake Park, $100 to $110, $200 to $210 for relay team, $75 to $80 for half, $50 to $55 for 10K, <a href="http://bloomstobrews.getboldevents.com">bloomstobrews.getboldevents.com</a>

&#8226; May 2: Walk/Run for the Animals, Esther Short Park, $35, free for age 12 and younger, <a href="http://www.southwesthumane.org/walk-run">www.southwesthumane.org/walk-run</a>

&#8226; May 9: Operation Home Run 10K, Pearson Field, <a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/595117872">www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/595117872</a>

&#8226; May 17: Mud Factor, Washougal MX Park, $49 to $85, $19 for kids, <a href="http://mudfactor.com/mfevent/event-portland-2015">mudfactor.com/mfevent/event-portland-2015</a>

&#8226; May 30: Hike on the Dike, 2 Pendleton Way, Washougal, $25 minimum pledge per participant, <a href="http://wcghs.org/hike-on-the-dike">wcghs.org/hike-on-the-dike</a>

&#8226; May 31: Diamond Dash 5K, Harmony Sports Complex, $30 to $35, <a href="http://www.diamonddash5k.org">www.diamonddash5k.org</a>

&#8226; June 13: Run Like a Girl for Second Step Housing 5K, 10k, Fort Vancouver, $35, <a href="http://www.secondstephousing.org/rlag2015/">www.secondstephousing.org</a>

&#8226; June 20: Summer Solstice Urban Obstacle Race, downtown Vancouver, $40 to $50, $20 for ages 16 and younger, <a href="http://www.nwpersonaltraining.com/subs/events/event_details.php?event_id=248.">www.nwpersonaltraining.com/subs/events/event_details.php?event_id=248.</a>

• April 12: Blooms to Brews Marathon (marathon, relay, half marathon, 10K), Horseshoe Lake Park, $100 to $110, $200 to $210 for relay team, $75 to $80 for half, $50 to $55 for 10K, bloomstobrews.getboldevents.com

• May 2: Walk/Run for the Animals, Esther Short Park, $35, free for age 12 and younger, www.southwesthumane.org/walk-run

• May 9: Operation Home Run 10K, Pearson Field, www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/595117872

• May 17: Mud Factor, Washougal MX Park, $49 to $85, $19 for kids, mudfactor.com/mfevent/event-portland-2015

• May 30: Hike on the Dike, 2 Pendleton Way, Washougal, $25 minimum pledge per participant, wcghs.org/hike-on-the-dike

• May 31: Diamond Dash 5K, Harmony Sports Complex, $30 to $35, www.diamonddash5k.org

• June 13: Run Like a Girl for Second Step Housing 5K, 10k, Fort Vancouver, $35, www.secondstephousing.org

• June 20: Summer Solstice Urban Obstacle Race, downtown Vancouver, $40 to $50, $20 for ages 16 and younger, www.nwpersonaltraining.com/subs/events/event_details.php?event_id=248.

There’s no arguing that runners are a creative bunch.

Whether it’s exercising through scenic country, mud, flowers or a sea of neon glow powder, there’s not much that this unique breed of fitness enthusiasts will back away from.

And with spring rapidly approaching, you can expect them to be out in force at the dozen or so Clark County races aimed at their varying tastes.

So what’s the deal with the strange assortment of events that will have them running with pets, through urban obstacles or around the grounds of the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site? It’s all about community and fun, said Brian Davis, owner of Energy Events, which is organizing 20 running-related events this year.

“I’m still trying to get my head around some of the stranger events,” Davis said with a laugh. “Obstacles and mud are more of a challenge, pushing your body to the limits. Other events can be aimed at marketing, social gatherings, fun.”

Sunday’s Fort Vancouver Run, put on by Energy Events, could be considered the informal beginning of the spring running season. The event, which will begin at the Pearson Air Museum, includes four runs aimed at different skill levels: Kids’ races, 5K and 12K.

“It’s great with the whole Fort Vancouver area,” Davis said. “It’s beautiful. I just love running there.”

A portion of the proceeds will support the Fort Vancouver National Trust.

And as spring gets into full bloom, more events will follow, including the Tulip Trot 5K put on by Holland America Bulb Farm and the Blooms to Brews Marathon, both in Woodland. The latter recently became a Boston Marathon qualifier.

“Our theme for that is ‘spring on over for a blooming good time,'” said Elba Benzler, owner of Get Bold Events, which runs Blooms to Brews and several other running events in the area. “The race got so much momentum out in Woodland that we decided to make it a Boston Marathon qualifying event this year, and we’ve also added a relay race to it.”

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Runners in the April 12 event travel through flower-gardened landscapes, farmland, and along Horseshoe Lake and the Columbia River. The 26.2 mile marathon and qualifier joins the event’s half-marathon and 10K race.

“We’re taking this really seriously,” Benzler said. “A full marathon, 26.2 miles, is a long way to go. We want to make sure our runners are taken care of.”

That event will be coupled with a Fitness Expo at the Woodland High School gym from 5 to 8 p.m. April 10 and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m April 11. Racers will pick up their packets at the Expo, which will also have fitness seminars, vendors and a variety of information booths.

“This will be the first Boston Marathon qualifier that’s ever been held in Cowlitz County,” Benzler said, adding that the race goes through both Cowlitz and Clark counties.

The Vancouver USA Marathon, organized by Energy Events, is a Clark County-based Boston Marathon qualifier. It will be on June 21, the first day of summer.

Get Bold Events is also organizing the Operation Home Run 10K at Pearson Field on May 9. Proceeds from that race will go toward helping homeless veterans, Benzler said.

“My son just came out of serving in the Marines this last summer,” Benzler said. “I have so much respect for that. We want to help veterans and heroes so that they’re taken care of.”

Whatever race or running event, spring is a great time to join the running community. And there are lots of friendly people to welcome newcomers, Davis said.

“A lot of the popularity of these events is the social aspect,” Davis said. “You might get a teenager that wants to run with mom or dad. That’s a great way to bond. There are races for kids, adults. Some of them (like the ones that throw neon paint at runners) seem more like a rave.”

And afterward, runners often like to hang around and socialize, he said.

“I like the feeling after, the camaraderie, the social fun,” Davis said. “You get to talk, have a beer, hang out, plus you get a good workout in. What’s not to like?”

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