Eugene Marathon
Encyclopedia
The Eugene Marathon, is a marathon
established in 2007, which takes place in Eugene, Oregon
, a city considered to be the mecca of track and field in the American
running community. The main event, accompanied by a half marathon, 5K and kids run, became in 2007 the first major marathon to be held in Eugene since 1982, when the last OTC-Nike marathon was staged. Touted for having a "fast, flat, scenic course," the Eugene Marathon traverses the regulation 42.195 kilometres (26.2 mi) marathon distance, and is certified by USA Track and Field
, the sport's governing body in the US. Nearly 5000 entrants participated in the inaugural 2007 marathon events, which featured about thirty elite athletes, many of whom were shooting for qualifying marks for the US Olympic Trials
, which were held in New York City
in November.
The event features live music performed along the marathon and half-marathon routes, and at the finish as well. The course is laid out primarily on city streets and bike paths along the Willamette River
, following many of the roads and trails used by Oregon
's many running legends, a roster that includes Steve Prefontaine
, Alberto Salazar
, Bill McChesney
and Mary Decker Slaney.
The tagline for the event is "Running in the Footsteps of Legends." in honor of the Eugene area's history in the sport, as well as the University of Oregon
's tradition of producing great runners. The Eugene area boasts many quality running venues, and regularly hosts high caliber track and field
championship events, which in the past have included several National Collegiate Athletic Association
track championships and US Olympic Marathon Trials in 1972, 1976 and 1980.
The event benefits various community causes, including Team in Training, American Cancer Society, Bolder Options, Food for Lane County, Eugene Education Fund, over 20 local clubs and organizations and Pre's Trail
.
on the University of Oregon campus, and will finish on legendary Hayward Field
.
From Hayward Field, the marathon course circles around Amazon Park, past South Eugene High School and through the University of Oregon area for nine miles (14 km). Runners then begin an eight mile (13 km) loop through Alton Baker Park East and into Springfield
. The course returns to Eugene's bike paths at mile fourteen, for about ten miles (16 km) of scenic river trails, before finishing on track of Hayward Field. The marathon is a Boston Marathon
and US Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier event, and its certification allows record breaking performances to qualify as new world records.
Marathon
The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres , that is usually run as a road race...
established in 2007, which takes place in Eugene, Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
, a city considered to be the mecca of track and field in the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
running community. The main event, accompanied by a half marathon, 5K and kids run, became in 2007 the first major marathon to be held in Eugene since 1982, when the last OTC-Nike marathon was staged. Touted for having a "fast, flat, scenic course," the Eugene Marathon traverses the regulation 42.195 kilometres (26.2 mi) marathon distance, and is certified by USA Track and Field
USA Track and Field
USA Track & Field is the United States national governing body for the sports of track and field, cross country running, road running and racewalking...
, the sport's governing body in the US. Nearly 5000 entrants participated in the inaugural 2007 marathon events, which featured about thirty elite athletes, many of whom were shooting for qualifying marks for the US Olympic Trials
United States at the Olympics
The United States of America has sent athletes to every celebration of the modern Olympic Games, except the 1980 Summer Olympics, which it boycotted.The United States Olympic Committee is the National Olympic Committee for the United States....
, which were held in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in November.
The event features live music performed along the marathon and half-marathon routes, and at the finish as well. The course is laid out primarily on city streets and bike paths along the Willamette River
Willamette River
The Willamette River is a major tributary of the Columbia River, accounting for 12 to 15 percent of the Columbia's flow. The Willamette's main stem is long, lying entirely in northwestern Oregon in the United States...
, following many of the roads and trails used by Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
's many running legends, a roster that includes Steve Prefontaine
Steve Prefontaine
Steve Roland "Pre" Prefontaine was an American middle and long-distance runner. Prefontaine once held the American record in the seven distance track events from the 2,000 meters to the 10,000 meters...
, Alberto Salazar
Alberto Salazar
Alberto Salazar is an American marathon runner of the 1980s. Born in Cuba, Salazar emigrated to the United States with his family. They ultimately moved to Wayland, Massachusetts, where Salazar competed in track and field in high school...
, Bill McChesney
Bill McChesney (athlete)
Bill McChesney, Jr. was an American long-distance runner from Eugene, Oregon.He graduated from South Eugene High School and earned All-American honors in cross-country and track and field while attending the University of Oregon. He qualified for the 1980 U.S. Olympic team in the 5,000 meters...
and Mary Decker Slaney.
The tagline for the event is "Running in the Footsteps of Legends." in honor of the Eugene area's history in the sport, as well as the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
's tradition of producing great runners. The Eugene area boasts many quality running venues, and regularly hosts high caliber track and field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
championship events, which in the past have included several National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
track championships and US Olympic Marathon Trials in 1972, 1976 and 1980.
The event benefits various community causes, including Team in Training, American Cancer Society, Bolder Options, Food for Lane County, Eugene Education Fund, over 20 local clubs and organizations and Pre's Trail
Pre's Trail
Pre's Trail, located on the north side of the Willamette River in Eugene, Oregon, United States, popularly referred to as "Track Town USA", is a four-mile-long running and walking trail named after heralded University of Oregon athlete Steve Prefontaine...
.
Course
The Eugene Marathon begins on Agate Street, in front of Hayward FieldHayward Field
Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, is one of the best-known historic track and field stadiums in the United States. Nearly a century in age, it was the home of the University of Oregon's football team from 1919 through 1966, and has been the home to the Ducks' track and field teams since 1921...
on the University of Oregon campus, and will finish on legendary Hayward Field
Hayward Field
Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, is one of the best-known historic track and field stadiums in the United States. Nearly a century in age, it was the home of the University of Oregon's football team from 1919 through 1966, and has been the home to the Ducks' track and field teams since 1921...
.
From Hayward Field, the marathon course circles around Amazon Park, past South Eugene High School and through the University of Oregon area for nine miles (14 km). Runners then begin an eight mile (13 km) loop through Alton Baker Park East and into Springfield
Springfield, Oregon
Springfield is a city in Lane County, Oregon, United States. Located in the Southern Willamette Valley, it is within the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area. Separated from Eugene to the west, mainly by Interstate 5, Springfield is the second-most populous city in the metropolitan area...
. The course returns to Eugene's bike paths at mile fourteen, for about ten miles (16 km) of scenic river trails, before finishing on track of Hayward Field. The marathon is a Boston Marathon
Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon is an annual marathon hosted by the U.S. city of Boston, Massachusetts, on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. Begun in 1897 and inspired by the success of the first modern-day marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics, the Boston Marathon is the world's oldest...
and US Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier event, and its certification allows record breaking performances to qualify as new world records.
Leadership
- Founder/Principle: Andy Heily
- Race Director: Richard Maher
- Sponsor Director: Andy Downin
- Marketing Director: Courtney Heily
- Director of Course/Logistics: Marc Lyda
- Operations Manager: Nicole Teter (also a two-time Olympian)
- Office Manager: Tate Kelley
Board
- Cathie Twomey Bellamy, three time US Olympic trials veteran and former 20k world-record holder
- Frank Gagliano, Oregon Track ClubOregon Track ClubThe Oregon Track Club is a running organization based in Eugene, Oregon. Shortened to OTC, the Oregon Track Club has a long history at the pinnacle of American track and field...
Elite Team head coach - Andy Downin, former US 1,500 meter Champion, seven-time All-American in cross-country at Georgetown University
- Matt Downin, former All-American at the University of Wisconsin–MadisonUniversity of Wisconsin–MadisonThe University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
- Joe HendersonJoe Henderson (runner)Joe Henderson is an American runner, running coach, writer, and former chief editor of Runner's World magazine. He currently writes for Marathon & Beyond magazine, and since 1982, a weekly column entitled "Joe Henderson's Running Commentary"...
, running coach, author of 23 books on running, and writer for Marathon and Beyond
External links
- EugeneMarathon.com - Official website
- MarathonGuide.com - 'Eugene Marathon & Half Marathon, 5K, Kids Run - Eugene, OR USA'
- OregonLive.com - ' Eugene Marathon to honor city's past', Doug Binder, The OregonianThe OregonianThe Oregonian is the major daily newspaper in Portland, Oregon, owned by Advance Publications. It is the oldest continuously published newspaper on the U.S. west coast, founded as a weekly by Thomas J. Dryer on December 4, 1850...
(January 8, 2007) - RunnerSpace.com - Fan site with Highlight video and start/finish videos