Eugene Marathon

The Eugene Marathon, established in 2007, takes place in Eugene, Oregon, a city considered a kind of mecca 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 26.2 mile marathon distance, and is certified by USA Track and Field, the sport's governing body in the US. Nearly 2000 entrants participated in the inaugural 2007 marathon, 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.

Some runners have taken issue with the assertion that the course is "flat," since there are several inclines along the route, but it is certainly considered scenic.

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 Bolder Options, Food for Lane County, Eugene Education Fund, and Pre's Trail.

Course

The Eugene Marathon begins on Agate Street, near downtown Eugene, in front of Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus, and will finish in front of Autzen Stadium. The start and finish are separated by a short walk across the Willamette River, accessed over a footbridge via Alton Baker Park, where Pre's Trail is located on the river's north bank.

From Hayward Field, the marathon course circles around Amazon Park, past the Steve Prefontaine memorial, and through the University of Oregon area for six miles. Runners then cross over the Willamette River on a foot bridge and begin an eight mile loop through Alton Baker Park East and into Springfield. The course returns to Eugene's bike paths at mile fourteen, for about ten miles of scenic river trails, before finishing in front of Autzen Stadium. 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.

Leadership

The race director is Richard Maher, a twenty-time marathon finisher. Board members include:
* Andy Heily, four year letterman at Georgetown University and a high school All-American
* Cathie Twomey Bellamy, three time US Olympic trials veteran and former 20k world-record holder
* Frank Gagliano, Oregon Track Club Elite Team head coach
* Andy Downin, former US 1,500 meter Champion, four-time All-American in cross-country at Georgetown University
* Matt Downin, former All-American at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
* Joe Henderson, running coach, author of 23 books on running, and writer for "Marathon and Beyond"

External links

* [http://www.eugenemarathon.com/ EugeneMarathon.com] - Official website
* [http://www.marathonguide.com/races/racedetails.cfm?MIDD=2558070429 MarathonGuide.com] - 'Eugene Marathon & Half Marathon, 5K, Kids Run - Eugene, OR USA'
* [http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/116822851484620.xml&coll=7 OregonLive.com] - ' Eugene Marathon to honor city's past', Doug Binder, "The Oregonian" (January 8, 2007)