The Girlfriends Half Marathon is set for the 15th annual running of an event that raises funds for breast cancer awareness.
The Sunday event will also feature 10K and 6K runs, with each course starting and finishing at the new waterfront in downtown Vancouver. The races will include thousands of women in person or via a virtual option.
Over 14 years, the Girlfriends Half Marathon has raised more than $650,000 for breast cancer charities. This year’s beneficiaries include the Pink Lemonade Project, Jaime Wyatt Miller Cancer Compassion Fund via the Kearney Breast Center and Breast Friends.
“Girlfriends is likely the most meaningful race on our event calendar,” said Karissa Schoene, owner and race director at Vancouver-based Why Racing Events. “We started this event to honor and support Joleen Skarberg, my mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer. She continues to run it every year. It has grown into a beloved tradition for our community of female athletes.”
Men can race if they participate in fundraising efforts. Registration is open until the morning of the race at whyracingevents.com/girlfriends-run/
Old Timers Bowling Tournament coming to Hazel Dell
One of the Northwest’s oldest bowling tournaments is back after a one-year hiatus.
The 50th Old Timers Team Bowling Tournament will take place Oct. 16 at Hazel Dell Lanes, starting at 1 p.m.
The event bills itself as the oldest tournament of its kind in the nation. It began in 1969 at Amato Lanes in Portland, and moved to Vancouver in 2016.
Teams from all over the Northwest will bowl for cash prizes. Bowlers must be at least 50 years old and several longtime participants are in their 90s.
The field ranges from bowlers who average better than 230 to those who barely break 100, but a unique handicap system allows each to compete on a level field.
Tournament director Debbie Deane has recruited the 1967 Women’s National All Star Champion Gloria Bouvia, 85, to bowl on her team.
Camas marathoners travel the world
A Camas couple has taken running beyond just a jog around the park.
Gary Abrahamsen and his wife, Satomi Sano, were among more than 23,000 runners who completed the Berlin Marathon on Sept. 26.
Sato finished in 4 hours, 8 minutes and 30 seconds, which was 64th best in the women’s 55-59 division.
Abrahamsen finished in 5:14:43. That was 678th in the men’s 60-64 division.
The couple also plan to run the New York City Marathon on Nov. 7.
