RWP Newsletter - Spring 2008
(c) Bryan Westby - Run With Paula Newsletter

Portland Running Company opened the new West Linn store on Thursday, May 15th , selling running shorts and skirts, cute tops andprcwestlinn1 technical jackets, an entire wall full of sport socks, and, of course, shoes. Spacious and beautiful, the running store has all the gear and gadgets you could need. Located at 22000 Willamette Drive, north of I-205 Lake Oswego / Oregon City exit, it's part of Central Village, a community of shops that include Market of Choice, Starbucks, and Cold Stone Creamery. And, Portland Running Company West Linn is within running distance of Mary S. Young Park. Come on by and check it out!


This has been a great spring, and we're all revved up for summer. We celebrated Andy's 40th birthday in April with the Fox 12 Andy Carson Fun Run, where 100% of the proceeds were donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We ran 40 miles with Andy, looping up the Waterfront, down the Esplanade, and across the Steel and Sellwood Bridges. Sponsors joining Fox 12, Run With Paula Events and Portland Running Company in the mid-week morning festivities include adidas and McCormick & Schmicks. Some of us ran ten, twenty or thirty miles to pace and cheer him on, and others went the whole distance. There were some great performances, including a strong showing of Marathon Maniacs. A couple runners even had time to improvise an additional water stop to take in a bit more scenery.


And then there was the Hippie Chick, with participation numbers again filled to capacity. Voted the best all-women's event in the Northwest year after year, The Hippie Chick Quarter and Half Marathon created more memories on Mother's Day Eve. Run With Paula Events again utilized the spacious Oak Grove section of scenic Champoeg Park for the start, finiandy_dave_paulash and post-race celebration. Mothers, daughters, kids and families came together to compete, support, play and share.


Of course, the Hippie Chick volunteers were amazing. Joelle checked the volunteers in, and Amanda had bagels and hot coffee courtesy of Willamette Coffee House to get them bouncing. A special tuxedoed reception handed out silver necklace Hippie Chick finish medals that were hand stamped by Moxie Metal. Other sponsors adding to the festivities were Brooks, Luna Bar, Clif Shot, The Pointe Day Spa, and of course Portland Running Company. Plus, The Body Shop was giving out body butter! The Old Spaghetti Factory, Jamba Juice and Cinnabon supplied refreshments, and Parallel 45 hosted the beer garden. Steve poured mimosas and Mirror Pond Pale Ale at the post-race gathering, which featured live music from Up at Seven, and awards included ribbons and hand-made flower pots created by Paula and family.

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The Hippie Chick sold out early, and so will the adidas Helvetia Half Marathon and Drop Top 10K. Another stellar event will unfold June 14th, so sign up now. This award-winning race is proud to have the some of the best volunteers and sponsors in the Northwest. Hugely supportive aid stations make this a fun, rolling hill adventure. The post-race party features Helvetia Burgers, Garden Burgers, and more by Helvetia Tavern, plus all the offerings of the Widmer beer garden. Proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphona Society's Team in Training, and Portland Fit / Vancouver Fit are the Helvetia Half's official training partners. Everyone will be there, so leave the city behind and come out and experience the best half marathon in the Northwest.