race ride & event guide Archives - Out There Venture https://outthereventure.com/tag/race-ride-event-guide/ Mon, 27 Apr 2020 21:22:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://outthereoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-OTO_new-favicon-32x32.jpg race ride & event guide Archives - Out There Venture https://outthereventure.com/tag/race-ride-event-guide/ 32 32 6 Adventure Events Worth Traveling For https://outthereventure.com/6-adventure-events-worth-traveling-for/ Mon, 13 Apr 2020 23:27:18 +0000 https://outthereventure.com/?p=41611 Adventure tourism is one of the best ways to get to know a new area. Here is our list of 2020 races and events worth traveling for.   Ski to Sea (May 24): Ski to Sea is the original multisport relay race, from Mt. Baker to Bellingham Bay. Organize teams of 3-8 racers and join in […]

The post 6 Adventure Events Worth Traveling For appeared first on Out There Venture.

]]>
Adventure tourism is one of the best ways to get to know a new area. Here is our list of 2020 races and events worth traveling for.  

  • Ski to Sea (May 24): Ski to Sea is the original multisport relay race, from Mt. Baker to Bellingham Bay. Organize teams of 3-8 racers and join in the fun on Memorial Day weekend. Teammates and spectators await finishing racers in Bellingham’s scenic Marine Park and experience the Historic Fairhaven Festival, the all-day street party just up the hill.  Editor’s Note: The 2020 Ski to Sea Race is cancelled because of the circumstances associated with COVID19 pandemic. Below is the content that appeared in our March 2020 issue’s Race, Ride, & Event Guide Special Section.
  • Granite Man Off Road Weekend (June 27-28): This is one of the few off road tri/du’s in Oregon. It is a weekend full of events for the whole family, including swim and paddles, mountain bike rides, and trail runs. Affordable camping available at Applegate Lake.  
  • Tour de Whatcom (July 18): Explore the beautiful landscape of Whatcom County, in northwest Washington, with a ride distance to suit your style. Options include 22 or 44 miles, Metric Century (62 miles), or Century Ride. Start/finish in downtown Bellingham. 
  • Mt. Baker Hill Climb (Sept. 13): This event poses a unique challenge with over 4,000 feet in elevation gain in 22 miles along the winding highway into the alpine. Riders over the age of 13 can choose from three participation categories: social, recreational, and competitive. 
  • WaCanId International Selkirk Loop Ride (Sept. 14-19): The WaCanId is an annual Rotarian-supported bicycle tour on paved roads encircling the Selkirk Mountains of Washington, Canada, and Idaho. The 6-day event covers 370 miles and showcases the International Selkirk Loop’s spectacular scenery. And if cyclists need a lift, there is plenty of support available. 
  • Clark Fork Adventure Challenge (Sept. 20): Participants run, row, and ride their way through some of the most scenic areas of western Montana. With two options, the original Adventure Challenge and the Adventure Challenge Lite, there is opportunity for individuals with all levels of skills to participate.
Canoe leg of the annual Ski to Sea Race in Bellingham, WA. // Photo courtesy Ski to Sea – The 2020 Ski to Sea Race has been cancelled.

Check event websites for any schedule changes and updates.

The post 6 Adventure Events Worth Traveling For appeared first on Out There Venture.

]]>
Running Clubs & Races: 30+ Ways to Run in the Inland Northwest https://outthereventure.com/running-clubs-races-30-ways-to-run-in-the-inland-northwest%ef%bb%bf/ Wed, 01 May 2019 03:31:37 +0000 https://outthereventure.com/?p=37730 For more than 40 years, a vibrant community of running groups, clubs, and annual events has been blossoming in the Lilac City and surrounding region. Everyone—from casual runners and fitness walkers looking for informal clubs and fun runs to competitors seeking race PRs—will all find something from this list for their personal calendars. RUNNING CLUBS […]

The post Running Clubs & Races: 30+ Ways to Run in the Inland Northwest appeared first on Out There Venture.

]]>
For more than 40 years, a vibrant community of running groups, clubs, and annual events has been blossoming in the Lilac City and surrounding region. Everyone—from casual runners and fitness walkers looking for informal clubs and fun runs to competitors seeking race PRs—will all find something from this list for their personal calendars.

RUNNING CLUBS

Trail Maniacs: For trail runners as well as mountain bikers and hikers, this group hosts races and other events.

SoHi Running Club: This informal group meets Mondays year-round—rain or shine, and also on holidays—at Miguel’s Mexican Restaurant at 6 p.m. on Spokane’s South Hill.

Fleet Feet Running Club: Weekly group runs and a No Boundaries 5k Training Program are offered through Spokane and Spokane Valley Fleet Feet store locations. Schedule includes Monday trail runs, Tuesday strength training workouts and drills, Wednesday speed workouts, and Saturday long, slow distance runs.

Spokane Valley Running Club: Also referred to as the Spokane Valley Bison Running Club, group meets at 5:50 p.m. at Monkey Bar, in Spokane Valley. Runs begin at 6 p.m.

Bloomsday Road Runners Club (meets Tuesdays & Saturdays): Group runs start at 8 a.m. on Saturday mornings at Kendall Yards from the parking lot by Central Food. On Tuesday evenings speedwork is done at the Spokane Community College track; warmup begins at 6 p.m. Club’s website is the go-to resource for local running news and includes an event calendar of regional races and local club runs.

Palouse Road Runners: This Moscow, Idaho-based group has coached workouts at the University of Idaho track at 6 p.m on Tuesdays.

Flightless Birds Running Club: Cheney-based group meets at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesdays at Barrelhouse Pub & Pizza; run begins at 6.

Lantern Run Club: Meets weekly at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays in Spokane’s Perry District at Lantern Tap House.

The Monterey Café Running Club: Meets at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays during Daylight Savings time from March to November at Monterey Café in downtown Spokane (group formerly known as c:nextIT/run).

Spokane Swifts: A women’s running club that primarily focuses on training goals and competitive racing. Group practices take place year-round on Tuesdays at 5:45 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. The Lilac Bloomsday 12K is the team’s annual race.

Palouse Falls Beer Chasers: Group meets weekly on Wednesdays at Birch & Barley Restaurant in Pullman at 5:30 p.m.

High Drive Highlanders: Meets at Rocket Market on Spokane’s South Hill at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays for weekly 5K group runs.

Green Bluff Running Club: Meets weekly on Wednesdays in Mead at Big Barn Brewery at 6 p.m. for group runs or walks.

Iron Goat Running Club: Meets weekly on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at Iron Goat Tap Room in downtown Spokane.

Flying Irish Running Club: Runners and walkers meet weekly on Thursdays at 5:45 p.m. at Chateau Rive near the Spokane Arena.

Liberty Lake Running Club: Weekly 3-mile run/walk begins at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays at Liberty Lake Physical Therapy.

Millwood Milers: Group meets weekly at 6 p.m. on Thursdays at Millwood Brewing Company in the community of Millwood east of Spokane.

Spokane Moms Run This Town/She Runs This Town: The Spokane chapter of this national organization meets on Fridays, year-round, at 9:30 a.m. at the Manito Park duck pond for 3-5 mile runs. According to local chapter leader Noelle Lovoi, the group occasionally meets at Kendall Yards, and runners should request to join the private Facebook group to learn more. Runs are open to all fitness abilities, interest levels, and run paces.

Nike+ Run Club: These weekly Friday morning runs meet at 6 a.m. in front of the Nike store in downtown Spokane.

Manito Running Club: Meets at Manito Park on Saturdays at 8 a.m. in the 18th and Grand parking lot.

Manito Night Shift: Work a non-traditional schedule? This informal group was created for Spokane-area runners to connect and plan group runs anytime, day or night. Join the group’s Facebook page to learn the schedule.

Beers & Blisters Running Group: Meets on Sundays at 9 a.m. at My Fresh Basket in Kendall Yards.

Sunday Slugs: Meets weekly at 8 a.m. at Manito Park on Spokane’s South Hill in the 18th and Grand parking lot for scenic walks or runs starting from the duck pond.

Spokane Distance Project: A dues-based men’s running club that provides a competitive team and training program for post-collegiate athletes.  

Palisades Running Club: Request to join group’s Facebook page to learn the schedule; meets near Palisades Park in west Spokane.

SPRING RACES & EVENTS

Get active and outside with these spring races and fun runs. For a more complete list of Inland Northwest running events, check out our Race, Ride & Event Guide online at OutThereOutdoors.com.

Negative Split Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K (April 7): Based in Kendall Yards, event now incorporates the annual Hunger Run.

Hauser Lake Icebreaker 5K & 10K Run (April 7): USATF-certified 10K course and Bloomsday second-seed qualifier. Runners and walkers with strollers or dogs are welcome.

Palouse 100K Relay & Solo Run (April 7): 100K Ultra Relay, 100K 10-person relay, 100K 5-person relay, and 100K Solo, organized by Palouse Road Runners.

Spring Dash (April 27): 5-mile Bloomsday second-seed qualifier race in Coeur d’Alene at McEuen Park.

Spokane River Run (April 28): 5, 10, 25, and 50K races plus 50K relay race at Riverside State Park.

Lilac Bloomsday Run (May 5): 12K race for runners and walkers of all paces. Wheelchairs and strollers welcome.

Priest Lake Marathon, Half-Marathon, 50K Ultra, & 5K Family Fun Run (May 11): Backcountry trail run through the Panhandle National Forest.

Trail Maniacs Farragut Trail Run (May 17-18): Weekend event at Farragut State Park includes a 5, 10, and 25K and free kids race.

Windermere Marathon & Half-Marathon (May 19): Flat and fast Boston-qualifier course along the Spokane River.

Coeur d’Alene Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10K & 5K run/walk (May 26): New marathon course organized by Negative Split. Strollers allowed for 5K. //

Amy S. McCaffree is Out There’s special section editor. She wrote the Inland Northwest Race, Ride & Event Guide in March.

The post Running Clubs & Races: 30+ Ways to Run in the Inland Northwest appeared first on Out There Venture.

]]>
Who Runs Spokane’s Running Clubs? https://outthereventure.com/who-runs-spokanes-running-clubs/ Mon, 29 Apr 2019 04:42:50 +0000 https://outthereventure.com/?p=37658 Part of the glue of the Spokane running community is its variety of run clubs and the people who make them happen. A few dedicated running group leaders shared about their unique groups and what running has meant for them. Dominic Bartoletta, the Lantern Run Club           Each Tuesday at 6 p.m., the Lantern Run Club […]

The post Who Runs Spokane’s Running Clubs? appeared first on Out There Venture.

]]>
Part of the glue of the Spokane running community is its variety of run clubs and the people who make them happen. A few dedicated running group leaders shared about their unique groups and what running has meant for them.

Dominic Bartoletta, the Lantern Run Club          

Each Tuesday at 6 p.m., the Lantern Run Club gathers at the Lantern Taphouse in South Perry for a 3-ish mile option and a 5-ish mile option, followed by specials on pints and food. The welcoming, fun vibe of the group is represented by its route descriptions, which mix meandering wordplay and facetious asides, with names like “Oh Hiiiiiilllll No” and “A Tale of Two Parks.”

For instance: “Back on April 17, 2018, tall and slow alike joined us for the third and final running of ‘Le Internationale,’ a romp through what we mistakenly believed was the International District of East Sprague Avenue. It was at or about that very time that we realized the route did not in fact traverse the International District, but instead delivered us about a block or two from its eastern edge. Unfazed by our lack of geographical knowledge, and emboldened by our newfound knowledge regarding our lack of geographical knowledge, we now bring you the newly minted ‘Le NATIONALE,’ a run with all the same roads, the same directions, and the same hills as Le Internationale, just with a different name.”

The man behind these words is one of the club’s leaders, Dominic Bartoletta. Running club leader, he admits, is not anything he ever imagined he’d be. “I have a hard time thinking of myself as a runner,” he says. Though he ran sporadically starting in college, his background was in football. He didn’t even know run clubs existed as recently as seven or eight years ago. “I had no idea,” he says. But thanks to a friend’s invitation, he got connected with a couple of local running groups, and a few years ago when The Lantern’s owners asked him to take over the leadership of their group (alongside Conor Craigen), he said yes.

The goal is to make the group inviting for all. “When you make [the descriptions] lighthearted, people read them and think, ‘I can do this,’” Dominic says, even when the routes in question include arduous hills. The once-small group now has weekly turnouts of a hundred participants or more, and a range of runners and walkers of all ages.

Dominic says the various routes have provided introductions to hidden pockets of Spokane: the Perry Street steps, the Ben Burr Trail, the volcanic outcropping at the top of Cliff Park, a spiral-bottomed ramp that spans 1-90. It’s given him a bigger community, and it’s a good counterpoint to his career as an attorney. “I do find that I feel better and think better when I’ve been exercising,” he says.

He remembers running alone last winter as a cold snap set in. A reporter on the street stopped him for a quick interview. When he saw the clip on TV later, he was surprised by the caption: “Dominic Bartoletta, Runner,” he recalls with a laugh. Deep down, though, he knows it fits him as much as anyone. “As long as you run, you’re a runner,” he says. “There’s no secret to it.”

Selfie of Jessicah and friend.
Jessicah Travis // Photo courtesy of Jessicah Travis

Jessicah Travis, Fleet Feet Northwest Running Club Lead

Jessicah Travis was first introduced to running when she was in her mid-30s by Wade and Julie Pannell, owners of the Spokane locations of running store Fleet Feet (as well as the others that make up Fleet Feet Northwest). It transformed Jessicah’s and her husband, Casey’s lives and health so much that when the Pannells invited them to move from McCall, Idaho, to Spokane and start working for Fleet Feet, the answer was a clear yes.

For the past five years, Jessicah has coached and coordinated running groups for Fleet Feet’s Northwest locations. She has a special affinity for the No Boundaries groups, which focus on helping beginning runners cross the finish line of their first 5K. She got an insider’s view on running’s power to transform when she and her husband were new runners and needed to lose weight for their health. Through running she lost 45 pounds and he lost 65. In the No Boundaries groups, she continues to have a front-row seat for others’ transformations, and the vital role community plays in motivating and encouraging runners to keep going.

Part of what she gets to do with these new runners is “help them find their new trajectory of their lives,” she says. “We’ve watched people from all kinds of life circumstances overcome things to get across that finish line,” like women diagnosed with breast cancer who’ve run through chemo. For one couple in the Winter Warriors group, the husband lost his eyesight a couple of years ago and now he and his wife run together with the group, “all through winter together, hand in hand,” Jessicah says.

More recently Jessicah has felt the support of Fleet Feet’s running groups more keenly. In July of 2017, doctors discovered that there was a tumor connected to the main artery of her eye, entwined with the optic nerve. She rapidly began losing eyesight. “By September I only had a pie slice shape left, and it was minimal at that,” she says. Her vision at that point was 20/250—she was legally blind, with no depth perception or ability to see color. In 2018 she had a full craniotomy with nerve reconstruction, and later a second surgery to create a titanium barrier between her brain and her eye. The risky surgeries overcame some complications, including the double vision/bouncing that had become a problem after the first surgery, and enabled her to run again. Though there are long-term side effects, she can now run with no bouncing and has 20/30 full color vision.

Jessicah credits her surgeons with the amazing success of her operations, and her supportive running community with encouragement that’s helped bring her through.

“I say now that although I was coaching my group of runners, they were coaching me every step I took,” she says. “They have been with me when I’ve fallen—I couldn’t see the pothole without depth perception. They have been with me when I reached a full 3-mile run again post-surgery. The love in the running community has been endless.”

Portrait of LeFriec family in running attire.
Andy, Madeleine, and Heather LeFriec. // Photo courtesy of Heather LeFriec

Heather and Andy LeFriec, Spokane Swifts and Spokane Distance Project

For married couple Heather LeFriec (president, coach, and co-founder of the Spokane Swifts) and Andy LeFriec (one of Spokane Distance Project’s co-founding members and current vice president), running is a major part of day-to-day life. They formed their groups (in 2008 and 2010, respectively) to bring together likeminded people who wanted to push each other to get stronger and faster.

“Misery loves company,” says Andy. “If you’re doing this on your own, you’re missing out on a great opportunity to bond with other people with the same interest.” Both LeFriecs note that the camaraderie is a major draw of their teams. When you connect regularly with other runners, good things happen: you’ll train harder, sign up for more races, and have people to go through the highs and lows with—of running and of life.

 “For me it’s a community,” says Heather. “And for my husband and child. Madeleine talks about the Swifts all the time,” she says of their kindergartner.

One household with two dedicated long-distance runners means there are twice the workouts to fit in, twice the running-related commitments (for instance, Andy sits on the Bloomsday board; Heather is on the Active4Youth board), and plenty of logistical puzzles to solve. Prized morning run time is parceled out (“My mornings are Thursday and Sunday. Somehow I get two and she gets five,” quips Andy). Andy’s mom babysits every Tuesday evening, which is practice time for each of their groups, and she also covers Bloomsday. “She’s great. I don’t know if we’d be able to do it without my mother-in-law,” Heather says.

There are always new negotiations and details to work out between “co-parenting, scheduling, who’s going to do what race,” says Heather. “That’s caused a few fights,” she adds with a laugh.

On the flip side, there’s a common understanding that comes with a shared interest—like recently when Andy, knowing Heather wanted to sign up for an ultra but was hesitant to pull the trigger, registered her as a surprise. They get each other. “You have a bad day, you have a bad workout, you have a bad race or a really good race—the other person understands what you’re going through, what you feel,” says Andy. They have someone to bounce workout plans ideas off, to talk through how they’re feeling and how hard to train.

Even though it can be a bit of a scheduling nightmare, the LeFriecs realize running is key to their well-being, and that a healthy, active lifestyle is something they want their daughter to see. “She just assumes everybody’s parents run,” says Heather. Even more importantly though, she says, is that their daughter is witnessing her mom and dad as people who understand the importance of “having a passion in your life.”

“We’ve both realized how much running fuels our soul,” says Heather. “It’s important for us to make the time for each person to get to do what they like, what feeds their soul.”//

The post Who Runs Spokane’s Running Clubs? appeared first on Out There Venture.

]]>
Spokane to Sandpoint Relay: 12 Years and Running https://outthereventure.com/spokane-to-sandpoint-relay-12-years-and-running/ Mon, 22 Apr 2019 04:02:16 +0000 https://outthereventure.com/?p=37604 The Spokane to Sandpoint Relay, or S2S, is a 200-mile relay race that starts on top of Mt. Spokane, descends to the Spokane River, cruises nearly the full length of the Centennial Trail to Coeur d’Alene, and finishes on the beach of Lake Pend Oreille in Sandpoint, Idaho. This will be the event’s12th year, occurring […]

The post Spokane to Sandpoint Relay: 12 Years and Running appeared first on Out There Venture.

]]>
The Spokane to Sandpoint Relay, or S2S, is a 200-mile relay race that starts on top of Mt. Spokane, descends to the Spokane River, cruises nearly the full length of the Centennial Trail to Coeur d’Alene, and finishes on the beach of Lake Pend Oreille in Sandpoint, Idaho. This will be the event’s12th year, occurring Aug. 16-17, 2019. Relays like this are typically designed for teams of twelve people, but S2S has options for an elite team of six ultra-runners or combining two teams of six: a “six-pack.” Over its lifespan, the relay has had three owners, undergone several route changes, added additional safety measures, and endured tragedy.

Race History: The Orth Brothers

The S2S was founded by twin brothers, Bart and Ben Orth. The Orth brothers were both competitive runners who enjoyed adventure running and participated in various extended races. The brothers also had a passion for entrepreneurship. According to Bart, Ben approached him one day with the idea of combining their passion and hobby by starting a race from Spokane to Sandpoint.

The focus of the race was really about building lasting memories. “Life is about making memories,” said Orth. He asked, “What can we do to make this [relay] something that stands out and makes it memorable?” Their answer was to focus on team camaraderie.

Efforts included costume competitions, timed trials, and a stop at Silverwood Theme Park in the middle of the night to ride the Tremors rollercoaster!

Photo courtesy of Spokane to Sandpoint.

In 2010, the event’s third year, tragedy struck. Early in the morning a driver hit two race participants, killing one and seriously injuring the other. Police believed that alcohol was a factor. The day prior a woman was hit crossing Newport Highway. The driver in that incident was not believed to be at fault.

“200 miles is a long way and you can’t control every variable,” reflects Orth. “The Centennial Trail only goes so far so you have to go on the manmade roads.” The Orth brothers added additional safety measures to the course and ran it for one more year before deciding to sell the event to Cascade Relays.

When asked about their decision to sell the relay, Orth answers, “The weight of [the accidents] was a factor,” but both brothers also had families and full-time jobs.

The Cascade Relays Years

Scott Douglass, co-founder of Cascade Relays based out of Bend, OR with his wife Carrie, agreed to take over the event in 2012. Douglass, who was familiar with the Orth brothers as fellow independent relay organizers, attempted to revive the relay.

“Over a 6-year period [we] took a race that was struggling and used resources to help it grow,” says Douglass. “We rebranded everything and changed the course to make it a safer event.”

In 2008, the first year the relay was held, there were just over 50 teams registered. Over the years, registrations peaked at about 90 teams and settled between 70-80.

“These races are a logistical juggernaut,” says Douglass about coordinating such large-scale events. At this time Cascade Relays also launched their Beer Chases, which were growing, while S2S remained stagnant. “We made a business decision to invest in the beer chases,” said Douglass, and in 2017 it was announced that S2S would run its final year.

One month later, the event was sold to the Alaska-based North by Northwest Relays (NXNW).

North by Northwest Rebirth

NXNW is a series of relays based out of Alaska owned by Nathan Luke and his father David. “We think it’s important to have an event like this in the area, and we want to keep it,” says Luke. “We really want S2S to be a permanent fixture in the community. Something the average person living in town is aware of and maybe has on their bucket list.”

The Inland Northwest has access to miles of trails and beautiful scenery, which makes it a picturesque venue for an adventure relay. “The centennial trail network system is a huge asset to the area…and City Beach is one of the most beautiful finish lines to any relay across the nation,” says Douglass.

Three-time participant Shane Fuller loves the event. “It has been both a pivotal and extremely positive influence for my fitness journey,” says Fuller. “The sense of accomplishment coupled with the friendships built and memories made are things I’ll always cherish.”

Despite the changes in the event over the years, the original dream of creating a relay that builds camaraderie and makes memories remains constant.

The post Spokane to Sandpoint Relay: 12 Years and Running appeared first on Out There Venture.

]]>
Editorial: Reasons to Race https://outthereventure.com/editorial-reasons-to-race/ Fri, 19 Apr 2019 04:21:20 +0000 https://outthereventure.com/?p=37575 Like many runners, I look forward to a new calendar year full of races. A fresh season is a time to reevaluate running goals, find new races, and give old races another try. It’s also a time to reflect on your reason for racing. If I’m honest, I love all the superficial things about races. […]

The post Editorial: Reasons to Race appeared first on Out There Venture.

]]>
Like many runners, I look forward to a new calendar year full of races. A fresh season is a time to reevaluate running goals, find new races, and give old races another try. It’s also a time to reflect on your reason for racing.

If I’m honest, I love all the superficial things about races. I love my collection of race bibs, the tech shirts and hoodies, and, yeah, the finisher’s medals. This year, instead of just collecting things from my races, I’m going to focus on collecting experiences.

Doing “just one thing” in today’s world—like running a half marathon without headphones—is a chance to take in my surroundings that I don’t often find when accompanied by a smartphone and easily-accessible inbox. I’ve long admired this reflective quality of running. I hadn’t associated it with the act of connecting with a specific bit of nature until I raced somewhere I’d already lived a while.

For the four years I lived in the Palouse, I ran on paved activity trails and gravel roads. Only after leaving did I return to run the Snake River Half Marathon. I quickly realized the years of missed opportunity: running long distance on a race course helped me tune in to the geography. The dramatic hills that sloped to meet the river were mesmerizing, despite cold running temperatures and sleet. I don’t have to tell runners how strangely euphoric a race can be. More than hiking along a peaceful mountain trail, the adrenaline-fueled vision made me focus on the details of the land.

The Snake River Half has been my tradition to kick off race season for the last several years. Each time I run there, I gain a slightly better understanding of how the sparse brush reflects in the river, how the sun diffuses along the water, how the snow clings irregularly to the rocky land. What I’m choosing to focus on this year, aside from race swag, is taking away a sense of place from every finish line.

Using a race to explore new territory comes down to intent. My younger brother—heretofore my host in the Palouse for those Snake River races—is moving across the state. To connect with the new town where he’ll live, we both signed up for a race in Everett. My motivation with this registration was clear: I didn’t sign up to force myself to train in winter months, but to get a feel for a spot on the map. I tracked the course online and imagined how the view of the bay might look in early spring. I’m planning to spend a fair amount of time gazing, setting personal records aside.

It’s likely I’m writing about a race topic that many of you already prioritize. I know lots of folks who sign up for events just to travel somewhere new. I’m hoping that however you choose to race this year—via bike, watercraft, or your own two feet—that you’ll take time to focus on the world around you. When we connect our personal stories with the spaces around us, we create memories far richer than race medals. //

The post Editorial: Reasons to Race appeared first on Out There Venture.

]]>
Doing It For A Cause: Spring Dash 3k Helps North Idaho Families https://outthereventure.com/doing-it-for-a-cause-spring-dash-3k-helps-north-idaho-families/ Fri, 29 Mar 2019 03:24:52 +0000 https://outthereventure.com/?p=37334 Every April, United Way of North Idaho (UWNI) hosts its Spring Dash in Coeur d’Alene. Last year, there were 875 participants and this year’s goal is to have over 1,000 runners and walkers. “Spring Dash helps with our two primary focus areas: our Community Care Fund and our Community Understanding projects,” says Mark Tucker, executive […]

The post Doing It For A Cause: Spring Dash 3k Helps North Idaho Families appeared first on Out There Venture.

]]>
Every April, United Way of North Idaho (UWNI) hosts its Spring Dash in Coeur d’Alene. Last year, there were 875 participants and this year’s goal is to have over 1,000 runners and walkers.

“Spring Dash helps with our two primary focus areas: our Community Care Fund and our Community Understanding projects,” says Mark Tucker, executive director of United Way of North Idaho. “The Community Care Fund currently provides grant funding to approximately 20 nonprofit programs each year. These programs support education, financial stability, and health-related activities in the five northern counties. Our Community Understanding work are collaborations, conversations, and research to ensure our resources are utilized where needed most.”

According to a recent study, with United Ways of the Pacific Northwest, “41% of north Idaho households are struggling to make ends meet,” says Tucker. “[T]here is a significant portion of our population who are employed but living paycheck to paycheck.” United Way combats this problem with its grassroots ALICE Project (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), that seeks to redefine financial hardship in order to help inform policy solutions.

“The local Community ALICE Task Force focuses on a range of system changes that both support ALICE in the short term and become more financially secure in the long term. One way is by focusing on early childhood care and education,” says Keri Stark, Director of Community Impact. UWNI’s Ready for Kindergarten program, now in its fifth year, has expanded to include families in the Coeur d’Alene Library community and childcare professionals, in addition to those already being served in the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, and Lakeland (Rathdrum) School Districts. More than 140 families are helped annually through this program.

“At UWNI, we feel ensuring children enter school ready to learn and succeed in school is the best way to break generational poverty,” says Tucker. “However, if children are hungry or unhealthy, they won’t be able to focus enough to stay in school, so a long-term approach for family stability is imperative.” //

The post Doing It For A Cause: Spring Dash 3k Helps North Idaho Families appeared first on Out There Venture.

]]>
Doing It for a Cause: 4 Rides & Races That Do Good https://outthereventure.com/doing-it-for-a-cause-4-rides-races-that-do-good/ Tue, 27 Mar 2018 02:11:36 +0000 https://outthereventure.com/?p=33585 Hunger Run (April 7) Only in its third year, the popular Hunger Run is making a tremendous impact on the Spokane community. “Second Harvest and the Union Gospel Mission (UGM) have a long history of collaboration, working together to serve those in need. The two organizations built on that team spirit through the creation of […]

The post Doing It for a Cause: 4 Rides & Races That Do Good appeared first on Out There Venture.

]]>
Hunger Run (April 7)

Only in its third year, the popular Hunger Run is making a tremendous impact on the Spokane community. “Second Harvest and the Union Gospel Mission (UGM) have a long history of collaboration, working together to serve those in need. The two organizations built on that team spirit through the creation of the Inland Northwest Hunger Run in 2016, a healthy way to get involved in the fight against hunger in our region,” says Barb Comito, director of marketing and communications for UGM in Spokane.

So far, the Hunger Run has netted approximately $50,000, according to Julie Humphreys, Second Harvest’s community relations manager. This is divided evenly between Second Harvest and UGM. “Since we feed 55,000 each week in Eastern Washington and North Idaho, it takes many events and community partnerships to get food to those who need it most,” says Humphreys. “The awareness factor is huge as hunger happens all year,” she says. “It’s easy to forget there are many neighbors who struggle greatly to afford and access enough food to live a healthy life.”

Hauser Lake Icebreaker 10k & 5k Fun Run/Walk (April 8)

Double J Ranch, an all-volunteer non-profit organization that cares for dogs with special needs, primarily those who are blind and deaf, was founded by Cristene Justus in 2009. This annual event is the ranch’s largest fundraiser, raising about $10,000. The 50-acre ranch, which averages 15 dogs at a time, is where dogs are brought from shelters and provided a home environment. “They’re all together as a pack, no kennels or dog runs…We vet them and give them everything they need—and then adopt them out into homes,” she says. “We always take local dogs first, but also take dogs from all over the United States…[And we] educate people so they’re not fearful about adopting these dogs.”

In the past 4 years, event participation has doubled—there were around 500 people last year, and this year a 5k run/walk has been added. “We keep it family-focused and animal-friendly,” she says. Runners and walkers can participate with their dogs or while pushing strollers.

Lilac Century Bike Ride (May 20)

This year’s 25th annual event is the main fundraiser for the Spokane Aurora Northwest Rotary Club and its support of charitable projects, including college scholarships for local high school students; holiday food baskets for school children; book donations to low-income Spokane schools; and much more. “We also enjoying contributing to the opportunities for healthy physical activity for our community,” says Rotarian Andrew Biggs. He says the Lilac Century raises an average of $12,000 every year, and with a later event date this year and new partnership with Spokane’s Lilac Festival, he hopes participation will grow.

Chafe 150 Gran Fondo (June 16)

With 80 sponsors for this 11th annual ride who cover all event costs, according to Sandpoint Rotary member and Chafe 150 volunteer marketing director Elana Westphal, all race entry fees go to “the Pend Oreille School District for helping students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.” Since the Sandpoint Rotary took over organizing the event 5 years ago, Westphal says they have donated $210,000 to the school district to establish sustainable programs for local students on the autism spectrum. “These programs have served as the basis for social and emotional growth programs for all students in our school district.” Every year, she says, Chafe 150 averages 350 riders (500 max. can participate) and 110 volunteer, with the riders ranging in age from 6 to 87 years old. //

 

Feature photo: Everyone can help fight hunger at the Hunger Run

The post Doing It for a Cause: 4 Rides & Races That Do Good appeared first on Out There Venture.

]]>