Walk With Me Marathon and Half-Marathon

The Walk With Me Marathon and Half-Marathon was dedicated to walkers and benefits local charities. It is open to runners and walkers.
It was a small and friendly event with under 500 participants. While many participants are local, it also attracts walkers from throughout the Northwest USA and many other states.
Walk With Me Marathon and Half-Marathon

Note: This event has not been scheduled for 2007 or 2008. Check for future dates at the Walk With Me web site.
The event held in mid-June in Eugene, Oregon. The start/finish is in Alton Baker Park. The start is at 7 am and all must finish by 4 pm. There is a 9 hour time limit for the marathon. Runners start at the front of the pack.

The pleasant and scenic course is on bike/walk greenway paths (all paved) alongside the Willamette River, with no traffic other than bicyclists and other walkers/joggers. It crosses pedestrian bridges to enjoy both sides of the river. The course is mostly shaded and mostly flat, with no substantial hills. The marathon and half-marathon course are together in the first circuit, then the marathoners reverse the course to finish.

Aid stations with water, sports drink, snacks (pretzels, goldfish crackers, brownies, sweets), and porta-potty are provided every two miles. Restrooms are also available along the way in the parks. Course officials and first aid providers circulate on bikes. The event is not timed, so bring your own timing device if desired.

Each finisher receives a medal, hatpin, and t-shirt. In 2005, these were the same for both marathoners and half-marathoners. The goodie bag included a good course map, as well as the Walk With Me newsletter for walking tips, walking groups and tours.

I participated at the third annual event and enjoyed it thoroughly. The course is nearly perfect for a walking marathon/half-marathon as it is scenic, mostly flat, and away from any vehicle traffic. As a small event, you are not stuck in a crowd more than the first 10 minutes, as each person achieves their own pace. Our gang of four walkers were able to chat pleasantly the entire time.

As the marathon and half-marathon are together for the first 13.1 miles, it is an excellent way to walk with friends who have the two different goals. I finished at the half-marathon while my friends went on to the full marathon. One quibble was heard from several people as the medal and shirt were the same for both the marathon and half-marathon, perhaps the organizers will change that in the future.

I was also able to provide extra support for my friends as the marathon course passed nearby to the start at the 22 mile mark. A thunderstorm was coming, so I trotted across the river via the pedestrian bridge and backtracked the trail with their raingear.

The start/finish is in a lovely park, with a large picnic shelter available to shelter in case of rain. They had a couple of vendors and a massage therapist available. I sat out on the grass at the finish and applauded the finishers.

There was no pressure from the organizers to speed things up. My friends were among the last finishers (8 hour pace) and had aid stations open throughout the event, although the massage therapist had left by the time they finished. As a half-marathoner, I was able to enjoy a free foot massage afterwards.

We stayed at the Campus Inn, which is just across the river from the start at the park. The rooms were large and pleasant and next to a 24-hour House of Pancakes, which we used for breakfast. The La Quinta Inn is even more convenient, immediately adjacent to the start at the park.

I highly recommend this event.