Runaway Pumpkin Half Marathon and 8K 2016
Brent Mangum (left) and James Brown (right) smile together after completing the race. Photo credit Carlie Somatis
The 6th annual Runaway Pumpkin half marathon took place Saturday, Oct. 15 in Lebanon, Ore. Despite the rain, 668 runners were able to make it this year to participate in the event. This is also the first year that they added an 8K in the race.
The course for this year’s race started on Weirich Drive near Cheadle Lake. From there, the race followed the river along Berlin Road, heading toward Mallard Creek Golf course to Waterloo, cross the bridge and returned via River Road. The half marathon started at 9:00 a.m., followed by the 8k at 9:55 a.m.
All of the proceeds from runners and volunteers will go towards the ABC House (The Child Abuse Intervention Center) that serves Benton and Linn counties. The ABC House provides child abuse assessment services to over 700 children annually, and includes on-site evaluation to 300 children and emergency consultations for an additional 400 children. The ABC House’s offices are located in Albany, but children are referred from all over the Benton and Linn County areas.
The first place runner of the half marathon was Mike Mazzotta, running a pace of 5 minutes and 46 seconds per mile, beating the 427 other half-marathon runners to the finish line. Alexander Nydahl finished first place in the 8K with a time of 7 minutes 6 seconds per mile, ahead of the 239 other runners.
There were over 100 volunteers that helped make the race happen. The race is professionally timed by Rogue Multi-Sport, an independant race timing specialist.
Story by Carlie Somatis
