Eugene Half-Marathon Preview

It’s here at last, the Eugene Marathon and Half. Four months after our group training began for the longer race, two months for the shorter, the big morning that once seemed so far away is so near that it appears in the week’s weather forecast. Sunday morning conditions appear near-perfect: Sunday morning temperature rising from cool (40s at 7:00 start) to warm (50s by noon, with the afternoon high of 62), mostly sunny and likely dry.

Weekend plans and tips:

Pick up packet at soccer field west of Hayward Field on 15^th Avenue, Friday (1:00 to 6:00 P.M.) or Saturday (9:00 to 6:00 P.M.).

On Sunday morning I’ll station myself in front of the Law School, 15^th and Agate, from six o’clock on. Due to security restrictions, I can take none of your excess clothing or other supplies to the finish area.

I’ll stand at Agate and 15^th to watch our first runners pass the nine-mile mark. I need to leave there by about 8:20 to see our first half-marathoners finish.

Michael Lebowitz will shoot photos before and after your race. Save a smile for the finish line. Tears of joy, and relief, are okay too.

Nothing will contribute more to your final result than starting at the right pace for you. What’s “right”? Close to the pace of your longest training run with the team. This means you need to feel like you’re holding back in the early miles. If designated pace leaders match your needs, start with them.

You’ll run the last 200 meters on the famous Hayward Field track. Remember to look up and left to see yourself on the big screen. I’ll be near the finish line. If you don’t want a hug from me, hide in a crowd or keep running out the gate after you finish!

If you enlist pacers who aren’t entered, ask them to stop short of the Hayward gate. Only runners wearing visible numbers are allowed onto the track.

Parking on race day will be difficult in the campus area. You’ll do better taking a shuttle from one of the remote spots: at the Valley River Inn, Autzen Stadium, Eugene Hilton, or Springfield Holiday Inn Express. Shuttles start running at 5:30 A.M.

The best places to watch on the course: (1) near 18^th and Agate for the start and the ninth mile; (2) Hilyard and 33^rd, about three and six miles; (3) for marathon only, Valley River Center, about 18 miles and then 22 by walking across the footbridge. Drive to the west of the course to avoid road closures and delays. Don’t even think about riding on the bike path portions; it’s too crowded.

Your fans can see the finish at Hayward Field, with only the west grandstand open. You can reunite with them at the artificial-turf field, adjacent to the finish area, as you exit the track.

If you have late problems, text or call me at 541-953-7179.

Worry is normal this week. Some of you even use the words “freaking out.” I’m available for psychological counseling all week. The most comforting statistic I can give you is this: 99.5 percent of our past runners who’ve reached the starting line have finished (illness on race day or pre-existing injury, not a race-caused problem, stopped the other 0.5 percent). If you get to the start healthy, you’re almost certain to cross the finish line. I’m excited to greet you there.