Hello Outdoor Enthusiasts -
Behold the ORrun newsletter, the sister of the famous ORbike newsletter. You are receiving this newsletter as an ORbike reader. ORbike has been so well received by the cycling community, we decided to give Oregon's bipedal community a site of their own. ORrun's mission is simple: to promote running, hiking and walking in Oregon. In addition to the most comprehensive events calendar in the state, we offer a blog for local buzz, a secure online registration system that is discounted for participants, free and easy to use for organizers, and this monthly e-newsletter that will give you the insider scoop on a cross-section of upcoming events. Don't worry – we never trade or sell your email address and who knows, you may even end up winning some free gear! So it's time to get excited about all the wonderful events coming up this season. Read on below to get the scoop on just a few…

( ORrun.com ) ( 2008 Event Calendar )

Let's face it. Oregonian's love their outdoors just as much as they love protecting it. What better way to celebrate this awesome quality than with an Earth Day Celebration in Hood River! The 5k and 10k Fun Run along the spectacular Historic Columbia River Hwy aren't even the half of it. In addition to the run, feel free to take part in the Procession of the Species Parade, Earth Day Ceremony, or late afternoon Yoga Class.

What is a Procession of the Species parade, you ask? It's a time to artistically celebrate your relationship with each other and the great outdoors. Participants put their creativity to the test and parade in masks and costumes or carry banners and puppets. After the parade, don't forget to stop by the kid-friendly Earth Day Ceremony where the kids are encouraged to dress as the animal of their choice (yes, dinosaurs count). Last, but not least, get in touch with Mother Nature during a yoga class that will celebrate Earth Day with locally grown foods and flowers, all while benefiting the Columbia Gorge Earth Center and Gorge Grown.

( More Info ) ( About the Columbia Gorge Earth Center )

Enjoy a beautiful, crisp spring morning while participating in one of the many course length options of the Happy Valley Fun Run & Walk. Choose from the 1500m Kid's Run, a 5k Run/Walk, or a 10k Run. A benefit for the Happy Valley Elementary School PTA, this scenic event will take you along paved, pastoral country roads lined with spring flowers, suburban neighborhoods, and parklands. The 5k course is flat to gently rolling while the 10k course will give runners an extra challenge with some good-sized hills. Everyone gets a race-day t-shirt, but there are also plentiful awards and prizes to the winners of a wide range of age groups. Make sure to grab the whole family, as this is an event everyone can enjoy!

( More Info ) ( Maps )

A fantastic event to start your triathlon or duathlon season! The Heart of the Valley Triathlon & Duathlon are sprint races that also include a kid's race. The adult course will have you swimming in a state of the art, beautiful Olympic-sized pool (50m), biking along quiet, challenging country roads, and running a flat and fast route through a quiet neighborhood – which you will be thankful for after some of the hills you have to conquer on the bike!

Post-race festivities include a breakfast of fruit, bagels, and yummy strawberry shortcake. This well-organized event will be a great way to gauge how your training needs to proceed for the rest of the season due to the variety of the course. The Heart of the Valley Triathlon & Duathlon is TRI NW Ranked events.

( More Info ) ( Register )