Girl Power Half Marathon (fka Country Girl Half)
Portland, OR
- Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Girl Power event focuses on health & wellness, support, and empowerment in the Portland running community. It will feature women owned or started businesses, programs, and support groups in the local area. This feel-good race celebrates every runner, no matter her athletic ability or current fitness level, and focuses … MORE
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Flat course and pancakes.
I specifically decided to do this one due to it being billed as a flat course for a PR. It was flat, mostly on a bike path along the river, … MORE
I specifically decided to do this one due to it being billed as a flat course for a PR. It was flat, mostly on a bike path along the river, out and back. There is a road just opposite the river, but due to the embankment most of the time I could not see the cars. I enjoyed looking out on the water and birds and the flat course let me concentrate on trying to best my first half marathon. Runners do have to cross Colombia Blvd, in which they do stop runners for traffic, but I got lucky both ways and was not stopped. Due to not checking the course myself and not being able to hear the announcer, I thought I was finished and sprinted, but was told I needed to keep running and go to another turn around. Oops. For some reason the 5k, 10k and half all started at the same time, so by the time I was finished most people were gone (just under 2 hours). They did have beer/cider/kombucha and make pancakes which were awesome.
Terrapin's Country girl 10K
Pros : -very flat course, easy to do a PR on that race -very well managed (small) event. The expo is small but sufficient considering the number of participants. Traffic … MORE
Pros :
-very flat course, easy to do a PR on that race
-very well managed (small) event. The expo is small but sufficient considering the number of participants. Traffic was handled perfectly. Aid and signals were present. Everybody was chill and nice.
-so well managed we started on time! It actually took me by surprise, first time ever that happens
-country music band playing! Lovely touch that fit perfectly the race
Cons :
-Yes it’s flat. It’s also very boring. Nothing to see there, just a road in the middle of nowhere, and it’s not a loop so you’ll have to run it back too. Not recommended if you actually enjoy running.
-No shades anywhere. Don’t be like me, bring a cap and/or sun glasses or you’ll squint half of the race
-I get extremely angry when I get a necklace instead of a medal at the end of a women’s race. It’s not like any of us is going to wear a cheap necklace and it undermines the effort we put in the race. To me it’s plain sexist.
Conclusion : Not a very fun course but great if you’re going for a personal best.