Running the Pacific Northwest

Since 1990, the United States has experienced a steady growth in road race participation with over 19 million annual finishers. Whether a seasoned veteran or a novice runner, the Pacific Northwest (PNW) extends more unparalleled running opportunity than any other demographic in the United States. No other region possesses such variety, challenge and beauty in its running courses than the majestic PNW.

It’s difficult to ascertain a specific solitary answer as of why people run. Running’s archaic and rudimentary nature allows it to be touted as one of the oldest sports known to humanity. Getting started as a runner is modest in contrast to other popular sporting endeavors; its basic requirements consist of comfortable attire, shoes and a little fortitude. For most, running offers vast health benefits, relief from emotional stress and most importantly, a sense of accomplishment.

The PNW is unsurpassed in the variety of its races. Whether it’s a trail run, a 5K, an ultramarathon, or anything in between, the PNW boasts them all. Oregon and Washington are at the head of the pack when it comes to road race variety. Not only do both states host thousands of races, many are distinctive and incomparable.

Oregon holds one of the most unique and essential 5K experiences. Each summer, Nike World Headquarters opens their esteemed facility for the Bowerman 5K in Beaverton. The distinctness of this race truly exemplifies the heart of running in Oregon as it is named after the legendary coach and Nike co-founder, Bill Bowerman. Runners are provided internal access to the facility as well as opportunity to meet elite and professional athletes. Since its inception, the generated profit has been utilized to support the Achon Uganda Children’s Fund. The premise of the mission is to provide opportunity, education and a better quality of life for children living in Uganda.

If seeking the road race with the most competitors, the Lilac Bloomsday Run in Spokane, Washington is certainly exemplary. This high energy Goliath of a race is held the first Sunday in May and is notoriously esteemed for its average size of 50,000 runners and the intensity of its dreaded “Doomsday Hill.” The 12K race is the third largest in the nation, only after the Atlanta Peachtree Road Race and the New York City Marathon. Its popularity came early as it was drafted by Don Kardong, a local runner and Olympic marathon athlete. It started in 1976 with a little more than 1,000 runners and grew to 61,298 by 1996. This race has become a favorite and draws in the top athletes in the world.

The greater the adversity, the more fulfilling the triumph; difficult races always propagate that deeper sense of accomplishment. It’s the reminiscences of the cruel strenuous races that remain the most noteworthy in the minds of runners. You feel indestructible, as though you’ve conquered the unconquerable. It becomes an all-out battle as the mind forces the body to defeat the road. There is something gratifying for the soul as it overpowers the beast.

Sometimes, the run feels so intolerably brutal; blackened toenails, fatigued muscles, extreme conditions, dehydration and unsuitable attire are all nuisances that impede the run. Some of the most grueling, yet satisfying races in existence, can be found in British Columbia and Montana.

Each summer, trail runners make their way up the 1.8-mile Grouse Grind in Vancouver, British Columbia. It has been coined as “Mother Nature’s Stair Master” as it consists of more than 2,800 natural stairs. Its steepness offers such intensity that its fastest official time is a humble 25:01 minutes, while the average time for the annual 150,000 trail runners and hikers is nearly two hours. The trail is open throughout the fair weather season and is available during daylight hours. Although intense, this trail is reasonably appropriate for varying levels of ability. This solitary endeavor is alluring as there is no entry deadline.

Although Bozeman, Montana is just a little out of the perimeter of being accurately positioned within the Pacific Northwest, the Bridger Ridge Run has trail runners flocking to enter their names into its elite lottery. This harrowing August race was created by Bozeman’s supreme adventure athlete Ed Anacker and is limited to only 250 carefully selected athletes each year. The race flaunts itself as a narrow and tormenting 19.65-mile trail that gains 6,800 feet in the Bridger Mountains. Runner’s World coined the Bridger Ridge Run as one of the best and most technical trail runs in the country. Outside Online has deemed it to be on the top 10 bucket list trail runs in the world. Any entry form with an opening line of “Are you sure you want to do this?” is unquestionably designed for the experienced runner.

There is an anonymous quote that the human spirit needs places that have not been re-arranged by the hands of man. We can find ourselves enamored in these majestically beautiful moments that can only be experienced on foot. Life becomes serene, simple and fulfilling when running in a place of beauty. It’s just you, the view and the breeze generated by the acceleration of your own two feet. When it comes to the offering of nature’s picturesque landscape, Idaho and Washington will take your breath away.

Data published by Running USA indicates that the half marathon is the fastest growing race in the industry. They report that since 2000, the number of finishers has quadrupled. The half marathon offers more of a challenge than the 5K but is not as extreme as the full 26.2-mile marathon. Sandpoint, Idaho is home to the Scenic Half Marathon; one of the most awe-inspiring half marathons available. One of the notable components of this race is that it also offers a 5K and a 10K opportunity which make its scenic views available to the expert and the novice. In September, runners journey through the quaint downtown and make their way across the iconic long bridge that bestows panoramic views of the mountains and Lake Pend Oreille.

The Bellingham Bay Marathon in September is renowned as being one of the most beautiful of all courses. It begins and ends in the charming downtown area of Bellingham. Runners are enamored with views of the Bellingham Bay, San Juan Islands and the Cascade Mountains. This race is certified by the USA Track & Field organization as a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon and is generously supported by its volunteers. Many runners return each year so that they may partake in the scenic splendor only provided by this course.

A run is never just a run; it’s irrelevant whether it’s one mile or 50 miles. It’s about setting out to accomplish something truly difficult. The sport parallels life; sometimes, you’re left feeling as though you could take on the world and other times, the world has taken on you. Occasionally, the runner unveils this treasurable moment in which the brain is immersed in a sea of its own endorphins and it can momentarily envision how it must feel to run with the elite. All great things seem to collide, and you find yourself as a running god. Whatever reason is stowed in the heart to run, there is no other place that will offer such diversity, challenge and scenic majesty than the great Pacific Northwest.

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