(9-25-09) From Press Release - This September, the Portland Marathon will host three inaugural half-marathon events to support Oregon and Washington-based troops stationed in Iraq. Over eight hundred troops will participate as runners and volunteers. These 13.1-mile events will be held in Iraq and at the following military bases:
- Victory Base Camp in Baghdad, 9/27/09. U.S. home base is Ft. Lewis, Washington.
- Warrior Unit, Iraq/Iran border, 9/27/09. U.S. home base is Ft. Riley, Kansas.
- Camp COBB/Adder at Tallil Airbase, Southern Iraq, 10/3/09. U.S. home base is ONG Salem, Oregon.
These events were created by the Oregon National Guard Brigade and the Portland Marathon. The Portland Marathon cares about the health and well-being of troops whether they are at home or abroad. The half marathons are positive ways family members and loved ones in Oregon and Washington can stay connected to their troops in Iraq, as well as ways for troops to stay connected to an annual event happening in their hometown.
The Portland Marathon event director, Les Smith, has a service background and is passionate about supporting and thanking troops. He fused this, with his love for running to create the Iraq half marathons.
"The Portland Marathon is proud to help and assist those in Iraq who are now serving, and also do so for all of those who have served," said Smith.
Friends and family members of participating troops plan to run, walk, and volunteer at the Portland Marathon events on October 4th to honor those in Iraq. Their donations, and funds donated by the Portland Marathon, will go to the Wound Warrior Project, one of the event's official charities.
For the half marathons, the Portland Marathon will provide finisher and volunteer shirts, medals, pins, and bibs. The organization also donated the time and costs associated with producing these events. There is no charge for these events to Army, Marines, Air Force, DOD Civilians, and Contractors.
The Portland Marathon will be held Sunday, Oct. 4 at 7AM in downtown Portland. The event includes a 26.2 walk/run, 5-miler walk/run, a 10k Mayor's Walk, and a kids' Marafun. The Sports and Fitness Expo will be held on Oct. 2 and 3rd at the Hilton Hotel, 921 SW 6th Ave. The Portland Marathon, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to the health and wellness of its participants and community. More than 12,000 people run, walk, or volunteer with the event each year. Proceeds from event go to help local schools, charities, and non-profits. The event has been called the "best-organized marathon in North America" and has received national attention for being one of the first eco-friendly, "green" marathons. Sponsors for the 2009 Portland Marathon include: Sports Authority, exclusive sponsor Sports & Fitness Expo sponsor; Kaiser Permanente, 5-miler title sponsor. For more information, visit www.portlandmarathon.org, call (503) 226-1111, or e-mail info@portlandmarathon.org.
