Let’s get ready to ramble

By Gretchen Ammerman

Oregon Coast TODAY

It was hard not to feel bad for the Olympians who trained for years, spending down savings and taxing the patience of their families for their chance to medal, only to have the Olympics postponed. For some athletes, their one chance to compete at this level slipped away.

But even non-Olympic athletes, from marathon maniacs to fun runners and walkers, started seeing their hopes dashed as, one by one, races they had on their calendars got cancelled.

Newport-based race director Ed Cortes is seeing mixed emotions among runners as races start appearing again, including a few for which he has opened registration.

“It's funny because I’ve been getting emails from an almost equal amount of people saying they are ready to race, and those that say they are still too afraid,” he said. “We are all putting lots of extra safety measures based on CDC rules into our races, but I understand how people are feeling, and I anticipate it will be some time before we see the kind of registration numbers we’ve had in the last few years.”

Cortes has reached out to his base for help as he prepares to stage events again, including a 24-hour race, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31 and Sunday, Nov. 1.

“One of our returning runners just did a 24-hour race and he’s helping me with planning,” Cortes said. “His overall impression is that people are so thankful to be running that they are happy to follow the rules to make sure they can continue to happen.”

If you're ready to race, there are two events coming up in October: a 5K where you can get back into racing fitness, or the aforementioned 24-hour race, which is actually a timed race of six, 12 or 24 hours.

“Racing is coming back,” Cortes said. “It’s going to look different, but it’s nice to at least have some events. There’s just a new normal that people are going to have to accept.”

Fire Aid 5K

This run/walk will start at Wapiti Park on Drift Creek Road near Lincoln City on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 9 am. It’s a fundraiser for both victims of, and those that fought, the Echo Mountain Fire.

“There have been so many things people have been doing, like collecting clothes and goods, so I was trying to think of another way to help,” said first-time race director Beth Towers. “There used to be many races around here that were cancelled this year, I thought it would be a good thing to put one on.”

The choice of distance was both practical and personal.

“A lot of people haven’t been able to train, so this is a nice, accessible distance for either first-timers or regular racers who are just getting back into it,” said Towers, who started running less than five years ago. “I still clearly remember my first 5K and how proud I felt when I finished.”

The course will have one water station at the turnaround point.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome, but they must be on leash at all times and owners must be prepared to clean up after them.

T-shirts are included in the registration price, but to increase the donation amount there will not be any finisher’s medals; there will be award ribbons three deep in 10-year age group categories.

A raffle will be held after the race for prizes including gift certificates from The Bijou Theatre, Yatai Sushi, Lincoln City Outlets and sessions with Towers, who opened a personal training business this year.

For more information or to register, go to the Fire Aid 5K 2020 page on Facebook.

Dia De Los Muertos Endurance Run

This fun race is in a new location this year, setting runners on a two-mile course of pavement and trails at the South Beach State Park. Runners will complete as many loops as possible within the allotted six-, 12- and 24-hour periods and can take as many breaks as they need before the clock runs out.

Runners who complete 50 or 100 miles will receive a special belt buckle, and every participant who completes a minimum of 26 miles will receive a finisher’s medal. Last year, a 24-hour entrant earned her 50-mile buckle by walking the course with a slow-but-steady determination.

The start/finish line will be adorned with an ofrenda, or altar, upon which runners can leave offerings of photos, flowers, fruits, drinks, trinkets and written messages to honor their ancestors and loved ones passed on. The ofrenda adds a unique layer of depth, gratitude and purpose to the event.

“Due to the looping nature of the course, people can set up their own base camp and aid station for additional safety,” Cortes said. “I’ll announce the six-foot rule at the start, but if people bunch up, they can use that as an excuse to take a break.”

For more information or to register, go to ardoradventures.com.