The Runaway Pumpkin Half Marathon 2014 Pre Race News!

Are you looking for a Fall Half?

 I recommend The Runaway Pumpkin Half!

Feeling good in the 2012 race!

It's October 18th in Lebanon, OR (Cheadle Lake Park) at 9:00am.

I have run this race twice and it's one of my favorites for several reasons.  I love to race in the Falls (cooler weather).  It's a really fun atmosphere with a costume contest.   You can walk or run.  It's a fundraiser for the ABC House in Albany, OR.  The ABC House is a Child Abuse Intervention Center serving Benton and Linn Counties.  It also has great food at the end!

Me getting ready to run in 2012 (a PR year for me!)

There are a number of ways you can help or take part in this awesome fundraiser.  

~Run or walk the half marathon.  You can register here for $65.  Price goes up on Oct 7th.

~Buy a hoodie for $25 here.

~Can't make it? You can support ABC house by being a Virtual Runner for $45 here.

~Volunteer on race day.

The Runaway Pumpkin course is perfect for a beginner or if your looking for a Half PR.  Nice and flat.  It's a loop course.  Partly running along the water.  Race is capped at 1500. Currently just over 700 have registered. It is chipped timed. If you like to dress up, there is a contest for the best costume but costumes aren't required.  Packet pick-up will be Friday the 18th at the Phoenix Inn & Suites in Albany from 8-4.  If you can't make that, you can pick up your packet Saturday morning from 7:00-8:45.  You will get your awesome shirt at this time too.  There will be age group winner/prizes and the first place male/female will receive a $250 gift card to Lowe's and a free entry for next years race!  How sweet is that!?

2011, a fun year!

Read about my 2012 race here. 

Read about my 2011 race here.

 Follow Runaway Pumpkin on

Facebook, here.

Instagram, here. 

Twitter, here.

Join me on my facebook page ZaoFit and tell me if your running this race!  I would love to meet you! ZaoFit~Julie Mullins

Uberthons The Oregon Marathon Half Reveiw

Some of my favorite races have been put on my Uberthons.  Last year I ran the first ever "The Oregon Marathon."

  This year I ran the Half.  

This is Tonya, myself (Julie) and Erika with some serious Uberthon Bling around our necks! We all ran the half this year.

We arrived early September 13th to make sure we were in the correct spot and get Jerry (my husband) were he needed to be for volunteering.   There were lots of people coming in, 920 people registered this year. 38 states were represented. We had a chance to talk to other runner friends we hadn't seen in a while and meet new people we had only seen on facebook.  
It was about 54 degree at 7:00 am as we stood outside the Glockenspiel Restaurant waiting to start.  The Marathoners started first down the road.  The half marathoners lined the streets and cheered for the marathoners as they ran by.  It was a fun way to start off the race.  Soon we were off.  54 degrees is just about perfect racing weather in my opinion, but I knew it would be quickly warming up that day.  

Tony, Mitch and Kelleigh at the start of the half

I had a stomach bug a few days before the race and was nervous about how I would feel out there.  We got only .32 miles in and I knew I had to use a restroom.  The runners were still really close together, rounding a corner when I saw a line of port-a-potties.  I knew we were heading out on a country road so I though, "I better go"  UGH!  I hate having to stop while racing, but it happens sometimes.  2-3 minutes and I was back out there running in the river of runners.  I had some friends who I knew started behind me, so as I climbed the small hill I just looked for them.
 I was feeling pretty good.  I could feel I was dehydrated from being sick, but right now I could run!  I loved the course Uberthons picked.  We had a small climb, but then a nice flat and a few declines for about 9 miles.  9 miles of feeling awesome too!  I was passing people and enjoying all the beautiful farm land.  
Soon I saw my friend Lisa who was running the full marathon today.  We talked briefly and I went on.  I was really trying to make up at least 2 minutes from my stop during the first mile.  

About half way, Darwin (the head of Uberthons) was out there cheering us runners on.  It was fun to see him out on the course.

Mile 9 came and the dehydration set in.  I suddenly felt terrible.  
I tried not to come to a walk but a few times I had too or I would of thrown up.  I knew this might happen, but I still tried to enjoy what was left of the half.  

We ran across Gallon House Bride (the oldest covered bride in Oregon).  I saw people stopping for a quick photo.  It was really pretty, but I didn't care about a photo at this point :(

Soon we started to climb again.  I actually was looking forward to this part of the course, but not now!  The hills made my stomach hurt worse.  I began getting passed and hearing, "your doing great" "way to stick it out"  UGH, yeah, I know, and your wrong!  I'm not doing great!  At the same time, I knew this might happen and I ran anyway.  Afterall, Uberthons has the biggest finisher medals I've ever seen, and one was waiting for me just up ahead!  

After the hill, we went around town some and headed to the school to finish on the track.  I soon saw Eric (finished today at 1:42, his very first half).  Then I entered the track.  This was a nice way to end.  There were lots of people and it was totally flat.  I was able to pass two people and end it at exactly 2:02.  Very sad time for me compared to what I had planned to run, but that's how it goes sometimes.  

Yes, I just passed that guy!!!! Me, at the finish

I was handed a huge Uberthons medal and a water.  Then I went behind the grandstand to hide.  I felt like puking and I didn't really want my friends to see that.  After I composed myself I came around to cheer friends on as they came in and try to eat some watermelon.  It sounded so good!  I got my watermelon and then found a spot on the nice green grass and SAT DOWN!  Sorry friends, I can't cheer you in, I can't get up!  The watermelon, as good as it tasted, didn't seem to help.  My friends soon found me and we all sat together and laughed and just enjoyed the afternoon. 
Erika also ran her first half today and did a fine job!  I saw my friend Kim come in (she was on my Epic Relay team, good job Kim!).  

I was able to pick up my Uberthons Jacket!  It's really awesome.  

Tonya, Lindsay, Myself, and Erika with our Uberthons Bling

I earned my Oregon Marathon Jacket for running last year and this year!  I love it!

Over the course of the full marathon, 13 water

 & electrolyte stations were along the course along with 

several ice-cold watermelon stations.  My husband was 

helping cut up watermelon out there! 

Mile Markers were up along the course

1000's of race photos were taken.  It was really fun, looking

 through all the great photos that were taken!

The Oregon Marathon was Chip timed.

This is a race I highly recommend for anyone looking for a

 full or half in September 2015.  Uberthons does a fine job

 making their events fun and leaving you wanting to come

 back again.  They also have the biggest medals I've ever seen! 
Congratulations to the winners....
The Full Oregon Marathon Winners... Male: Norman Mininger from Colorado Springs, 2:46:52
Female: Jennifer Lloyd from Bend, 3:26:56
For the Half, winners are Male: Jason Griffiths from Portland coming in at 1:08:13. 
Female Colleen Little from Lake Oswego fininishing at 1:22:05

Register for 2015 starting October 1st here.
Full Marathon $105
Half Marathon $85
Marathon Relay $70

Albany Half 2014 Review

 Last year I did the Inaugural Albany Half, so this year it was on my list of races to do again.  Summer Halves aren't my favorite because of the heat, but they are good for training! 

The 2nd Albany Half Marathon was held at Timber Linn Park on Saturday Aug. 16th

Registration was $45 before July 1st,  $55 after....or $65 on race day.  Your fee included at dri-fit shirt and a medal at the finish line.

All race proceeds and sponsorships went back to the Albany schools. 

My FAVORITE, Dutch Bros was there!!!

This year there were some small changes that made the Albany Half even better than last year.  First of all, when I got to packet pick up the line seemed to flow better.  I was handed my bib number, a dri-fit shirt and a bag with coupons and advertisements in it.  There were more vendors than last year.  I always enjoy walking around looking at vendor booths at races.

This year instead of starting on the grass, we stared on the asphalt with chip timing. That's always a plus in my book! 

There were more porta potties this year.  I used them several times before the race started and never had to stand in line.  Last year I stood in line.  

There was plenty of road control out on the course as well. The Linn County Sheriff's Dept. and The Albany Police Dept. were out on course stopping cars when the runners needed to cross the streets.

There was Energy Gu and Gatorade out on the course along with plenty of water, much needed in summer races. The water was about every two miles with plenty of volunteers.   

Nice bright orange dri-fit shirt this yr!

They offered a walkers start at 7:00 am.  I started with the runners at 8:00 am.  The weather seemed cooler than last year (slightly, lol).  The first several miles were nice and flat.  We ran through local farm land. The course was a big loop.  Half way, our split time was taken.  There was a nice water station and a port a potty for those in need!  Thankfully, I was not in need!!!!!  

My stomach did begin hurting very badly around this time for some unknown reason.  I had to take it down a notch for some relief.  Had to slow down quite a bit!

About mile 7 began the rolling hills and I started seeing walkers.  I always enjoy a race when they start the walkers early so the runners can catch up with them.  Somehow this gives me something to look forward too! It was starting to get hot.

About mile 11 my stomach began to feel better and I was able to speed back up and finish pretty strong.  I like the changes made at the end of the race this year.  We ended on a better road this time and didn't have to run in a grass field.   Every finisher got to hear their named called as they crossed the finish line.  That's always fun.

Some good eats at the end of the race

Fun Raffles and Award.  Lots of Raffles were drawn making it fun at the end for the runners.

AdvoCare Advisor Jennifer Tress
(360) 635-8574
https://www.advocare.com/140169742

Albany Sport & Spine Physical Therapy
541-928-1411
617 Hickory St NW Suite 160
Albany, OR 97321

Advanced Chiropractic
Keven M. Ross, DC
1117 Pacific Blvd SE
Albany, OR 97321
541-928-1010

Mid Valley Physical Therapy
Gregory Pick
631 Elm St. SW, Suite 205
Albany, OR 97321
541-967-1224

These are a few of the vendors I talked too!  There were MORE!  So fun!

 Ended at 1:55.27... 2nd place in age group.  10th women and 52nd runner overall.

If you have any questions about the Albany Half Marathon, please contact Bryce Bennett at 541-730-0413 or bryce.bennett@albany.k12.or.us