Up to 3,000 people, runners and those who support them, are expected to be on Mount Hood on Saturday, July 28 for the inaugural REVEL Mt. Hood marathon and half marathon. And while they will all get to experience the joy of running in the scenic beauty that surrounds Mount Hood, a number
will also be vying to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Cydney Westgate, Vice President of Business Development for the REVEL Race
Series, noted that the races they organize are downhill affairs (the Mt. Hood
marathon will go from Timberline Lodge to the Rainbow Trout Farm, while the
half marathon will start on Lolo Pass and go to the Rainbow Trout Farm),
offering faster race times and allowing more qualifiers to the Boston
Marathon. Westgate estimated that many racers can shave off up to five
minutes in a REVEL race.

“A lot of people think (qualifying for the Boston Marathon is) not going to
happen,” Westgate said, adding that some racers run other marathons many
times without being fast enough. “That downhill part is really an edge.”

Westgate noted that in the REVEL Rockies race held last month,
approximately 29 percent of the field of about 2,000 racers qualified. The Mt.
Hood Marathon will start at an elevation of 5,620 feet and drop to 862 feet, a
difference of 4,758 feet, while the half marathon will see a drop of 897 feet.

The first race in the REVEL series, Big Cottonwood in Utah, is now in its
seventh year, while there are also races in Southern California, Las Vegas,
Tucson and Denver. Westgate noted the group has been working on adding
the Mount Hood race since last year, looking to capitalize on holding the race
an atypical and beautiful location while also offering a fast course.

“They really wanted to get people out in the really beautiful national parks,”
Westgate said. “I can’t think of a more beautiful place than the Pacific
northwest.”

The race will also offer an opportunity for nonprofits in the community to
capitalize, as local organizations can staff one of several milepost stations
(handing out water and helping runners) throughout the course to earn some
money. Coni Scott, Volunteer Coordinator for the event, noted that while the
race will help nonprofits in this way, it will also help area businesses as well
with a number of people staying overnight and eating in restaurants.

“It’s going to bring business to us,” Scott said, adding that people can also
volunteer for a discount to be in a future REVEL race or just out of the
kindness of their hearts.

Westgate described the community response as “phenomenal,” noting that
the race will require approximately 300 volunteers from organizations
including Ant Farm, the Rhododendron Community Planning Organization and
more, and the event is family friendly.

“It’s great because REVEL really takes pride in giving back to the community
as well,” she said. “We take pride in leaving things cleaner than we found it
and really growing with the community.”

The event, which could be a yearly event on Mount Hood, is open to the
public, but there will be no parking at the finish line or on Sylvan Drive during
the event.

Parking and shuttles will be available at Sandy High School, 37400 Bell Street
in Sandy.

Registration for the event will be open until Friday, July 27. The first wave of
racers will begin at 5:15 a.m. on Saturday, July 28.

For more information, visit www.runrevel.com.