Salem, Oregon's
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Willamette Valley Road Runners (WVRR)
www.WVRoadrunners.org.

Run in the Country by Abigail Elder

     The Cascade Half is six long months away. Where else can you find a halfmarathon so flat, so fast, so close? Satisfy your longing with a Run in the Country—the Coburg "Run in the Country" Half Marathon. Take part in the HalfMarathon, 5 mile and kids run in Coburg, just north of Eugene.

     The run is aptly named. This is, indeed, a run in the country. The USATF-certified race begins in the center of town and quickly leaves the city limits. The course is pancake flat, and passes quiet fields and calm pastures. Last year, I counted four horses, two llamas, a donkey and a half dozen dogs watching the race. The few houses we passed had makeshift water stops, with excited kids pouring water from the hose into tiny Dixie cups.

     My favorite feature of this race is the separate starting times for runners and walkers. Walkers start at 6 am while runners begin an hour later.

     Throughout the course, I caught up with groups of walkers and took short breaks to chat before continuing on my run. The heat was intense, but water stops were available every mile and a half.

     If running in hot weather doesn't appeal to you, the goodies should. The long-sleeved race t-shirt is my current favorite and the finisher's medal was huge. Best of all was the treat bag from Trader Joe's Nothing restores your body to health like peanut butter filled pretzels and chocolate chip cookies.

     This race is definitely worth the trip! Mark your calendars for Coburg on July 22nd. For more information, check www.goodrace.com.