Ardara, being the posterchild for the race. Or something.
Clark Public Utilities Race for Warmth
Date and time: Sunday, February 8, 2015 @ 9:00am
Events and price:
5k, 10k $30
Location: Clark Public Utilities; Vancouver, WA
Number of runners: ~600
Beneficiary: Operation Warm Heart
Swag: Cotton race tshirt, string backpack, a few other items (notepad or waterbottle, pen). There were TONS of snacks afterwards, and TONS of raffle prizes. Afterwards, Dirty Hands brewing gave out a complimentary beer and pretzel with cheese to participants with their bibs.
Course: Simple and fairly fast out and back that started at Clark PUD (downtown Vancouver), headed south past Fort Vancouver to the waterfront, and then back. Slight hills on the land bridge and coming up by the Fort.
Results: Click here for results.
Past recaps: N/A, inaugural event
Events and price:
5k, 10k $30
Location: Clark Public Utilities; Vancouver, WA
Number of runners: ~600
Beneficiary: Operation Warm Heart
Swag: Cotton race tshirt, string backpack, a few other items (notepad or waterbottle, pen). There were TONS of snacks afterwards, and TONS of raffle prizes. Afterwards, Dirty Hands brewing gave out a complimentary beer and pretzel with cheese to participants with their bibs.
Course: Simple and fairly fast out and back that started at Clark PUD (downtown Vancouver), headed south past Fort Vancouver to the waterfront, and then back. Slight hills on the land bridge and coming up by the Fort.
Results: Click here for results.
Past recaps: N/A, inaugural event
I had really been looking forward to running this race for several weeks. In my preview of the race on Run Oregon, I mentioned that Operation Warm Heart really struck a chord with me because I had just recently become a homeowner, and that even something as simple and mundane and seemingly negative as paying your utilities bill can truly be something to be grateful for.
The morning of the race I headed down with Ardara and Tanner. There was quite a bit of parking across the street at the old library. Upon entering the start/finish area, we were greeted by Butch the cougar, WSU's mascot! I definitely had to take a picture with him. Bag check was available inside the PUD building, and there were several vendors/sponsors outside in tents, including Area Heating & Cooling, which had a few heat lamps! I decided to test out my new NuuMuu (check out my review on Run Oregon here), which I had been nervous about. Running a 10k race in new apparel seemed like it could end poorly, but that's what bloggers are for, right?! Making poor decisions so you don't have to?! (I actually really loved it, no chafing or pinching! Super comfy!)
NW Personal Training led a fun and energetic warmup, and then the 10k-ers were sent off! It was a crisp and cool morning for a race. There were several water stations along the course, and tons of enthusiastic and friendly PUD volunteers directing us. The course was pretty as well. After finishing the race, we hung out for a bit. Raffle prizes could be claimed by coming over to the whiteboards and looking for your number. Simple and quick for a race event of this size. There was music and snacks afterwards, and even a table for the kids to color and create a button! (They even let adults and big kids make buttons too).
I loved this race. Incredibly well organized, well staffed, friendly, and for such a good cause. It definitely gave me the warm fuzzies, and I am so proud of my community for raising $19,000 for Operation Warm Heart! I will definitely do this event again next year.
The morning of the race I headed down with Ardara and Tanner. There was quite a bit of parking across the street at the old library. Upon entering the start/finish area, we were greeted by Butch the cougar, WSU's mascot! I definitely had to take a picture with him. Bag check was available inside the PUD building, and there were several vendors/sponsors outside in tents, including Area Heating & Cooling, which had a few heat lamps! I decided to test out my new NuuMuu (check out my review on Run Oregon here), which I had been nervous about. Running a 10k race in new apparel seemed like it could end poorly, but that's what bloggers are for, right?! Making poor decisions so you don't have to?! (I actually really loved it, no chafing or pinching! Super comfy!)
NW Personal Training led a fun and energetic warmup, and then the 10k-ers were sent off! It was a crisp and cool morning for a race. There were several water stations along the course, and tons of enthusiastic and friendly PUD volunteers directing us. The course was pretty as well. After finishing the race, we hung out for a bit. Raffle prizes could be claimed by coming over to the whiteboards and looking for your number. Simple and quick for a race event of this size. There was music and snacks afterwards, and even a table for the kids to color and create a button! (They even let adults and big kids make buttons too).
I loved this race. Incredibly well organized, well staffed, friendly, and for such a good cause. It definitely gave me the warm fuzzies, and I am so proud of my community for raising $19,000 for Operation Warm Heart! I will definitely do this event again next year.
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