Pulsating music, thousands of spectators, and approximately 10,000 runners.
To some, the Portland Rock ‘n’ Roll Half-Marathon scheduled to take place on Sunday sounds like a runner’s dream. To others, it’s an overwhelming scene they would rather avoid.
For those runners sitting out the Portland Rock ‘n’ Roll this weekend and longing for a more intimate event, they are in luck. The four races below offer a less frenzied atmosphere, and often carry a smaller price tag too. But plan ahead and sign up early — while it might not seem like it this weekend, other runners realize the beauty of the small races and the limited spots will go fast.
The short and not-so-sweet series.
The Portland Trail Series gives runners a chance to hit the trails around Portland’s parks during the fall and spring, with most races occurring in Forest Park. This spring’s series is in full swing, comprising of five races held every other Wednesday during May and June, with each race ranging from four to six miles. But don’t be fooled by the short distance — the courses pack lung-bursting stretches of hills that will have you yearning for some flat pavement. The friendly atmosphere and low-key vibe of the races are undoubtedly part of the reason the series sells out early, so keep an eye out for fall registration details. And if you need any more incentive, there is an end-of-series party that awards top finishers in the series.
The Boston qualifier.
Looking for a fast, flat road marathon minus the hoopla and crowd offered at the Eugene Marathon? The Newport Marathon might be your best bet. Last year, less than 740 marathoners crossed the line at Newport compared to more than 2,500 that ran Eugene last month. In addition to having a flat course, the Oregon coastal town’s ample scenery makes it a favorite among first marathoners and veterans alike. Put it on your 2014 calendar though — the 2013 marathon in June is sold out.
The breathtaking (and non-PR making) trail race.
Leave your Garmin in the car if you plan on running the Silver Falls Trail Marathon and Half-Marathon because this race is more about the scenery than posting a PR. The event takes place in the beautiful Silver Falls State Park, located approximately 27 miles southwest of Salem. The course winds through the park and passes several waterfalls and even goes under a couple; don’t be surprised if runners stop to snap a few photos. The races are held in November and are limited to 600 runners in the half-marathon and 300 in the marathon. Count on it selling out in days — if not hours — when registration opens August 1.
The wine-worthy finish.
Bring your ID for this one. Only runners 21 years or older can participate in the Fueled by Fine Wine Half-Marathon in Dundee, which has a course that changes every year and winds its way through Willamette Valley wine country. If running through vineyards and next to wineries isn’t enough for wine aficionados, the post-race celebration offers tastings from some of Oregon’s finest wineries. A pre-race, carbo-load wine lunch is also available for an additional fee, and will take place at Erath Winery this year. The July race gained some national press this year and is sold out and will likely sell out again next year.
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