With October beginning next week, we are now in the Fall Marathon Season, with so many great races one can participate in.  Next weekend is both the Portland Marathon and the Royal Victoria Marathon and we have local runners heading down to Portland to participate.  My running buddies Paul and Laura, with other islanders, will toe the Portland line.  Paul is wanting to run in 3:25 and Laura is running as a socialite.

I ran the Portland Marathon in 1991.  The course differs from the one used today.  Portland always puts on a nice run.  Visit:  www.portlandmarathon.org.

The Royal Victoria is just right across the water and is foreign to me.  I have wanted to run Victoria many times over the years, but one thing or another kept me from making the journey.  Next year I plan on being there and I am currently training to run fast.  Not sure how fast, but fast.  Visit:  www.royalvictoriamarathon.com.

Also, next week is the new Bellingham Bay Marathon, in, of all places, Bellingham.  Three island women are heading over there.  One, to run the marathon and two to run the half marathon.  Visit:  www.bellinghambaymarathon.org.

On Saturday the 13th is the Leavenworth Marathon over in the scenic town of Leavenworth.  This course has nice rolling hills and nice views of the surrounding mountains.  Runners are not required to wear lederhosen.  Visit:  www.leavenworthmarathon.com.

Then on the next day, the 14th, is the Spokane Marathon, which I have also run.  This scenic and hilly course follows the Spokane River west, then crosses the river at Seven Mile Bridge and heads back to town.  The craziest part to this race is having to run up Doomsday Hill at mile 22.  If you have ever run the historic Bloomsday Run in the spring, you know Doomsday Hill and what a pain in the butt that is.  At mile 22 it is a bigger pain in the butt.

Saturday, October 20, is the Halloween Marathon down in Olympia.  I haven't run this race, but it sounds like fun.  The also do a half marathon, 10 mile, 10K and 5K races as well.  For more information please call 360-273-9684.  I am sure costumes are encouraged.  I think I would go as a runner.

Down in Northern California is the Humboldt Redwoods Marathon in the Ave. of the Giants (www.redwoodsmarathon.org).  This race is on October 21.  I have run, with my son Ammon, it's sister race The Avenue of the Giants Marathon (www.theave.org) which is held the first of May.   Both races basically use the same course and the views of these giant redwood trees is awesome. 

On Sunday, October 28, the Tri-Cities Marathon is held in Richland.  Flat and fast course the winds along the Columbia River.  Visit:  www.4rrr.org.

There you have it.  A month long list of some great marathons to pick from.  Me?  I am not marathon running this October as Baby Finn should be arriving and I want to spend some time with him.

Happy Running.

I will be running my 100th day of continual running and to celebrate I am running 100 minutes or about 10 miles.  Want to join along?  Send me an email at clarkgilbert@rockisland.com and let me know.  Start time 5:30 pm.

Here is a map of the course.

Sunday, the 2nd, was my 91st day of continual running.  Sam, Jen and I went over to Victoria on the early morning ferry and spent the day.  They wanted Sushi and I wanted to run.  On past trips to Victoria I have made the time to go running and since I want to run the Victoria Marathon in October of 2008 I thought this would be a good way to spend a day trip.  Total miles ran was 15 in about 2:25 - give or take a minute.  I started from the Runner's Room running store on Douglas and followed the roadway down around the harbor and along the beach front all the way to Oak Bay, and then came back the, mostly, same way.  See map below.

Oak Bay is a cute little village with some really nice old houses.  The views over the water are of the Olympic Peninsula with some great views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  From Beach Road I could really see Trial Island.  The sky was cloudy and the temperatures were really nice.

I did run through both Beacon Hill  and Clover Point Park and I learned something.  Do not run through the "Dog Friendly" section where dogs can run free on a nice Sunday afternoon.  You know the dog motto:  "If it runs, chase it".

I had forgotten what it is like to run in a city.  Cement sidewalks, curbs, cutters, people walking three abreast.  Stuff like that.  The first couple of miles was a stop and go through the busy tourist center of Victoria.  Once on the water side things calmed down some, except for the dogs. I really don't like running on the unforgiving cement, but when in the Cement Jungle what does one do?

My body is holding up really well with all this running.  I thought it would.  My weight has stayed the same for the last three weeks.  Time to pay more attention to what I am eating and not eating, like green salads.

Here is a map of most of the route - minus the trail running and the dogs.