Running Area Map - Oregon Track Club
From enthusiastic track and field supporters to a host of talented athletes that live and train here, the Eugene/Springfield community has something to offer every runner. Whether you are training for a marathon or running for your own enjoyment, "Track Town, USA", with its mild Willamette Valley winters and spectacular summers, provides one of the best running environments in the country.
Among the many running venues, the extensive blacktopped bicycle paths on the banks of the Willamette River are a jogger's delight. These paths extend for over 9 miles, with the final piece of the north bank portion to be completed in the near future. One favorite roundtrip route stretches from the Autzen Bike Bridge to the Greenway Bike Bridge at Valley River Mall, and returns on the opposite bank. This 5.6-mile loop provides an exquisite view of the river and its surrounding parks and rose gardens.
To the river's south is Skinner Butte Park, named for city founder Eugene Skinner. The challenging 0.75-mile road up the butte leads to an amazing view of downtown Eugene and is well worth the climb. A must-do for all runners is Pre's Trail, located in Alton Baker Park. This 3.87-mile bark trail is dedicated to the legendary University of Oregon athlete. Steve Prefontaine brought the idea of bark running trails home with him after discovering them while competing in Europe. Upon his return, he approached the City of Eugene with the concept of constructing a bark-surfaced running trail with exercise stations along the way. The wood chip running trail that he lobbied for unsuccessfully during his life was approved on May 31, 1975, one day after his death.
A visit to the Steve Prefontaine Memorial, which was erected in December, 1997, at the site of his death, provides a memorable experience. This granite marker, located near the intersection of Birch and Skyline Boulevards, was funded in part by monetary gifts from several sources, including inmates at the Correctional Institution in Salem. Pre volunteered there as a mentor and helped organize a running program, which is still in existence today. To find the Pre's Rock memorial, start at Hayward Field on the east side of the University of Oregon campus at 15th Avenue and Agate Street, and head east on 15th Ave., for six blocks to Fairmount Ave. Then head south on Fairmount one block to the Birch Street intersection and continue east on Birch Street a half-mile up the hill to the first stop sign at the corner of Skyline Ave. Take a right at Skyline and the memorial is 200 feet to your right (southeast) on the west side of the road. You can see Hayward Field and many UO campus buildings a mile away to the west.
Hendricks Park is another favorite destination for local runners. Roads and trails make their way through dense, forested hills and beautiful rhododendron gardens. The trees offer a respite from the elements on hot summer days as well as on rainy days.
The Amazon Bikeway begins at the Lane County Fairgrounds and extends west for over four miles along Amazon Creek. Future plans for this bikeway include its extension west out to the Fern Ridge Reservoir recreation area.
The Adidas Oregon Trail, one of the best places in America to run intervals, is a one mile bark-covered loop located at 24th Avenue and Amazon Parkway. The trail is lighted for after-dark runners. It is not uncommon to see U of O athletes or world class distance runners practicing here. Just south of this location is the 3.5 mile Rexius bark loop that winds through peaceful residential areas.
For more rugged running or hiking, consider the various Ridgeline Trails that weave though the hills just south of Eugene. Nearby Spencer's Butte offers the runner/hiker an unparalleled view of Eugene/Springfield and beyond. Mt. Pisgah, just south of Springfield, is another favorite scenic climb. For marathoners, one of Springfield's best kept secrets is the paved Booth Kelly logging road (closed to traffic) which extends for over 5 miles from Springfield southeast to Hills Creek. Or, try running through the filbert orchards in Dorris Ranch. The McKenzie River Trail, 50 miles east of Eugene, offers the runner spectacular scenery of old growth forests, waterfalls, deep blue pools, and lava beds. Each fall, a 50k ultramarathon from Clear Lake, the source of the McKenzie River, to Paradise Campground takes place
here.
The runner's tour is not complete without a stop at Hayward Field, one of the world's most famous track and field arenas. The public may work out here year-round, and in July, compete on this championship track when the Oregon Track Club sponsors its all-comers meets. In May, the renowned Prefontaine Classic, one of the top 13 track and field meets in the world, takes place here.
If you are searching for a place where health and fitness are celebrated and running is a religion, look no further than Eugene/Springfield. Come join some of the most devoted runners in the country who gather here to pursue and perpetuate their sport in this runners' paradise.
The map was designed by longtime OTC member Larry Norris coordinated the services of two local companies to produce a runner's map for residents of the Eugene-Springfield and vicinity, as well as visitors to this area. The donated efforts of Jim Reed and Mike Renslow of Image Mapping, along with free printing of the first 5000 copies by QSL Printing, has resulted in a beautiful and useful color map which highlights all the trails, paths and tracks suitable for running.
Free maps and brochures of this info are available at the following area locations:
- Convention & Visitors Association of Lane County Oregon (CVALCO), 115 W. 8th St. Eugene
- Eugene Chamber of Commerce, 1401 Willamette St. Eugene
- Springfield Chamber of Commerce, 101 S. A St. Springfield
- Run Pro, 525 High Street Eugene
- Nike Store, 5th St. Marketplace Eugene
- Copeland's Sports, 245 Valley River Center Eugene
- Big 5 Sporting Goods, 2720 Gateway St. Springfield
- Eugene-Springfield area hotels and motels
To order a copy, mail one dollar for postage and handling to: Larry Norris, 3841 Monroe St., Eugene, OR 97405
