Running Since 2007
This week, as we look ahead to the 16th running of the Eugene Marathon in April 2023, it's hard not to look back and reflect on where we've been and dream about where we could be in another 15 or 20 years. So let's take a quick look back:
On the final Sunday of April in 2007 - the 29th to be exact - the inaugural Eugene Marathon took place. For the first time since the NIKE-Oregon Track Club Marathon ended in 1984, an annual mass participation marathon was held on the streets of Eugene. That year, the Eugene Marathon was named to Runner's World's "Best New Marathon" list and it returned with gusto in 2008.
2008 was innovative when it came to sustainability and diverted 70% of waste from the landfill; for that Eugene Marathon was named to Runner's World's "Greenest Races" List. The Eugene 5K and Kid's Duck Dash were also added on Saturday to make it a full weekend of events.
2010 was a memorable year as the finish line moved from 15th Street to the track inside Hayward Field - where it would stay for the next eight years.
2011-2013 saw exponential growth as the field size in the marathon and half marathon grew to over 8,500 runners.
In 2014, Eugene Marathon tried something really crazy and moved to July to coordinate with the final day of the World Athletics Under-20 Championships.
The 2015-2018 races moved back to a spring date and confirmed that the final weekend in April would be home sweet home forever.
2019 saw a brand new course and finish line - as runner's got to traverse across Eugene's historic Ferry Street Bridge and finish on the fifty-yard line at Autzen Stadium (while Hayward Field was under construction). We also hit record numbers in the Eugene 5K and Kid's Duck Dash and were honored to be named the "Best Marathon for Running History Nerds" by Runner's World.
2020 - Sigh. Cancelled due to pandemic.
2021 was another new one for us. Races around the globe went virtual and our race crew went from managing a course to managing a fulfillment center. Our 2021 registrants kept our business afloat as we packed nearly 6,000 race kits to distribute locally and mail to all 50 states and 25 countries. Our team also partnered with healthcare partner PeaceHealth to launch the Strides for Social Justice app to encourage participants to walk, run or bike through routes that honor Black history in Eugene.
2022 was a much-anticipated return to road racing unlike any other. Nearly 10,000 runners registered for the marathon, half marathon, 5K and kid's run. We welcomed a new presenting partner for our Saturday races in OCCU. Local companies Arcimoto and Hop Valley Brewing also joined the event for the first time: leading our races in electric vehicles and filling up our (over 21) finishers with local brews. Nearly 1,600 pounds of Krusteaz pancake mix was consumed post-race (which is likely a new record); and over 900 volunteers made it all run smoothly. To top it all off, two months later, our team and our community got to welcome the best marathoners in the world to the streets of Eugene and Springfield during the World Athletics Championships Oregon22. And we ended the year with yet another Runner's World accolade: "Best Marathons to Get You Hooked on 26.2."
And now we look ahead to 2023: we've ordered our medals and race shirts and we've got our to-do lists in order, but we want to know from you - how are you preparing for 2023? Is your marathon build beginning in January? Will this be your first time running Eugene or your 16th? Maybe this is your very first marathon?! Tell us how you are getting ready to Run Eugene in 2023 (just email us at info@eugenemarathon.com) and see you in April! And if you've ran with us in the past and are still deciding on your 2023 line-up, come run with us again and make sure to register before our next price increase on January 10.