Last year, the signature event of the Clark County Running Club, the Vancouver Lake Half Marathon, was delayed for a whole month, from late January to late February, due to a snowstorm.
Organizers have retained the later date this year, assuming the weather would be more favorable. Ironic, huh?
Well, snow appears to be behind us, but hard rain appears almost inevitable on Sunday, the race day. The half-marathon will proceed anyway. Last year’s delay was thanks not to wimpy runners, needless to say, but to extensive storm damage at the launch pad, Vancouver Lake Park.
Advance, online registration for the race is still $35 today; in-person registration on race morning will be $40. This is the first year in the race’s history that same-day registration will be available, according to running club president Russ Zornick. That’s to help bolster participation to the maximum, which is 475 people.
Don’t forget that parking at Vancouver Lake Park is limited and costs an additional $3 per car. But registered runners who carpool together will get a free parking pass.
The course is flat. It begins at 10 a.m. Sunday on Northwest Erwin O. Reiger Memorial Highway in front of the park, goes north, turns back, follows the bike path to Frenchman’s Bar Park, turns back, repeats Reiger and then winds up in the park. All half-marathon finishers will receive medals, and the top six male and female finishers in each division, including the walking division, will receive awards.
Water, port-a-potties and snacks — including homemade cookies — are all on tap.
The non-profit Running Club has generated more than $100,000 in scholarships for high school students, Zornick said.
In addition to weekly summer runs and high-profile annual events — Halloween Run in October, Turkey Trot at Thanksgiving, Hangover Run on New Year’s Day — its upcoming schedule of easy local runs includes:
• Washougal Greenway 3- and 6-mile run, March 10.
• Washington State University Vancouver 3.5-mile trail run, March 24.
• Homestead Park 3K in East Vancouver, April 11.
• Vancouver Lake 3-mile trail run, April 18.
Visit http://clarkcountyrunningclub.org to get the details.
Joining the club for one year is $10 for individuals and $20 for families.
