Oakridge Triple Summit Challenge event opens for July 12 weekend

By ANDREW GRIFFIN/for The Herald  —  This weekend, the eighth Oakridge Triple Summit Challenge will be held from July 11 to July 14 at Greenwaters Park. The three day staged trail running event will primarily consist of three races on trails around Oakridge, with participants being allowed free camping space at the park.

After an introductory day on July 11 for participants to set up camp and get settled, racers will then be able to take part in a different race each day going forward. July 12 will be a 30K run up Dead Mountain and back; a prominent knoll that rises to the northeast of Oakridge. July 13 will be a 15K ascent up Larison Rock that’s just south of their encampment on the Willamette River, and July 14 will a 17K loop along Salmon Creek, adding up to 40 miles of running in total. All races will start and end at Greenwaters park.

“To me this is what trail running is all about,” said runner and participant Sean Redar. “With the camping and the multiple days, you get to meet people and it’s really just got a great sense of community, and that’s what I like about it.”

 

The Challenge will offer participants a free meal at the end of every run, with alcoholic beverages being provided to the event by Ninkasi Brewing. Across the three days of running, guests will be able to enjoy activities after races such as a movie night and a Kids Race that is open to runners 14 years and under. The event will end after the final race on Sunday, with an awards presentation being held to celebrate the accomplishments of participants.

 

“Oakridge is a small town, and they thrive on tourism,” said Race Director Devin VansCoy. “This will bring people in that may have never even heard of Oakridge. I’ve had people fly out from the east coast. It brings some money into the city of Oakridge.”