Since spring 2007, runners from around the globe have laced up their sneakers and poised themselves at the starting line of the Eugene Marathon. For 17 years, the half- and full-marathons have allowed visitors and locals alike to step back in time, traversing routes once run by incredible athletes.
While tackling double-digit mileage may be daunting, Big Timber Running Club incentivizes its runners to push themselves out of their comfort zones and take on distances they never thought possible through high-quality training and a sense of community.
When Rachel Robinson, a runner, physical therapist and current Ph.D. student at UO’s Bowerman Sports Science Center, relocated from Ohio to Eugene two years ago, she sought to unite her passion for movement with other runners. It was only a short time before Robinson discovered Big Timber Running Club, eventually becoming the group’s social events coordinator.
“A lot of running clubs can be intimidating to go into because you have a bunch of just really fast people that you see,” Robinson said. “But the way that Big Timber is structured, it’s really just for anyone who’s looking to go out and work hard with other runners regardless of pace.”
Every Tuesday night, club members gather for workouts that test their endurance. The group has amassed nearly 200 people, all with differing skill sets, finding strength in a common bond of distance running.
In addition to its Tuesday night workouts, the club splits itself into seasons, each centered around a different racing goal. The spring season, comprising 16 weeks of training from January to April, predominantly centers around half to full-marathon training. As such, a significant emphasis is placed on road racing to gear up for the terrain of the Eugene Marathon.
“We have athletes who are looking to run their first ever marathon or their first ever half marathon, as well as athletes who are looking to qualify for Boston, and we have everybody in between,” Ben Blankenship, an Olympian and head coach of Big Timber Running Club, said. “It’s really cool to have that melting pot of energy. And I have the distinguished role of helping people and being that resource for people to tackle their challenges.”
While Big Timber Running Club’s spring season is soon set to wrap up, the true feat will be found in the Eugene Marathon’s 13.1 and 26.2-mile races. Despite the challenge, the group has found solace in one another and has continuously exemplified that in distance running, there truly is no ‘i’ in ‘team.’
To learn more about Big Timber Running Club, visit the tab on Run Hub Northwest’s website.
