Lay It Out Events announced their line-up of 2023 races starting April 22 with the 33rd Annual Salmon Run. One of Bend’s oldest events, The Salmon Run, features 5K, 10K and half marathon courses running alongside the Deschutes River. The Salmon Run is one of the first half marathons of the year in the Northwest and is a testing ground for those looking to be a factor on the racing scene.
This Salmon Run is a celebration of the expedition of the Northwest salmon returning from the ocean back to their freshwater origins, traversing thousands of miles and overcoming countless obstacles on their river journeys. Hundreds of runners on their own journeys will be participating in the upcoming Salmon Run. Each distance is professionally chip-timed and supported by outstanding event staff and medical personnel all along the course. Runners (and walkers) have annually flocked to this local’s favorite to enjoy the cool spring temperatures, the flat terrain and the crystal clear Central Oregon skies.
The event starts and finishes at The Athletic Club of Bend among the towering pines. A hearty meal and local beer await each runner at the finish line. Awards will be given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall male and female winners as well as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place masters (40+) winners for all distances. Age-group winners will receive 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons. All finishers in all distances receive a custom-designed medal.
Children can also be a part of the annual Salmon Run. Help your Little Fry hatch into a runner – enter them into the popular Little Fry run, part of the Pacific Source Kids Rock the Races series. The Little Fry is a non-competitive, healthy event for kids 3-10 with each finisher receiving a ribbon. If your little one is too young to run with the big fish, this fun run will still get them moving upstream!
The 2023 Salmon Run beneficiary is The Giving Plate, a grassroots food pantry that serves about 40,000 individuals a year with its compassionate hunger-relief programs. Founded in 2010, The Giving Plate’s mission is “Feeding the hungry today with compassion and hospitality”. Their efforts to remove the stigma and shame commonly associated with visiting food pantries continue in 2023 with the new Community Store where families in need can do their grocery shopping in a normalized environment. The idea is to not just fight hunger but to feed hope as well.
“Being part of the Salmon Run is a true honor for us at The Giving Plate,” says Giving Plate Executive Director, Ranae Staley. “It is a perfect collaboration, and the proceeds we receive from the run help us feed the growing number of families who are coming to us for help with food. It is also a wonderful opportunity to be out sharing with runners about the work we are doing to serve our neighbors in need. We are so thankful to be partnered with Lay It Out Event Races and the Salmon Run.”
Information on becoming a vendor or sponsor for the 2023 Salmon Run is available online at bendraces.com.
Being a volunteer at the Salmon Run is a chance to give back to the community, meet new friends and even get inspired to run a race of your own! Volunteers also receive a discount on an upcoming race or gain free entry to a future festival. More details on volunteering are also available online at bendraces.com.
