Saturday May 30 I ran the Newport Marathon.  Having run the Eugene Marathon May 3, it was hard to get ready.  I did not train particularly well, and did not hydrate enough in the days leading to the run.  I got a leg cramp getting out of bed.  Long story short - I got by far my worst time of the four I've run.  Note that there is no chip, so my time includes the time shuffling toward the start line while the people at the front are running.

Newport is a very popular marathon, especially with people who want to qualify for Boston.  I've seen it listed third on the "most likely to qualify" list.  (www.marathonguide.com) I suspect that is because it is small, limited to 800 runners, and it is relatively flat.  I did not like the first part, which zigs and zags along the Pacific Ocean to the Nye Beach area and back.  Once it gets through Old Town it's basically 11 miles out and 11 back along the Yaquina Bay Road.  It's quite beautiful.  Please see my photos taken while running, and the photos I took in 2008 from a bicycle and standing at the finish line. 

The best part is Newport itself, which is a coastal fishing town pretty hard hit by declining fisheries.  Nye Beach area and Old Town are full of good bars and restaurants, the Oregon Aquarium is across the bay, Rogue brewing has its production plant there, and a pub in old town.  Anyone who runs has to love the Oregon coast, where all the beaches are public.

Another positive aspect of the marathon is the volunteer labor.  People on the committee tell me no one receives any pay for their work.  All proceeds go to the local school.

My friends and I have a tradition of bicycling the day after the marathon.  Different set of muscles.  The Marathon route is part of the Yaquina Lighthouse Century ride, which happens in August.  www.yaquinawheels.org