Lacamas Lake run keeps going strong

An estimated 1,200 runners and walkers will traverse Lacamas Lake and Round Lake Sunday in search of beauty, exercise and the thrill of crossing the finish line.

The ninth Fit Right Northwest Lacamas Lake Half Marathon and 4-Miler begins at 7:30 a.m. on the Cardon Field track behind Camas High School, 26900 S.E. 15th St. Race director Dave Sobolik said this event originally started as a launching pad for a new Fit Right store opening in east Vancouver.

“It has grown from just a run and walk to a half marathon and a community engaging event,” he said. “We have a lot of local companies, vendors and volunteers involved, and we are going to donate the money we raise to local charities. It’s just a real great way for all of us come back together and support each other.”

Online registration at www.lacamaslakerunwalk.com remains open until Thursday. The cost is $75 for the half marathon and $40 for the 4-miler. You can also sign up at the two Fit Right locations in Vancouver (700 S.E. 16th Ave., Ste. 11) and Portland (2258 N.W. Raleigh St.).

The half marathon runners head out first, followed by the walkers. The 4-mile run and walk starts at 8:30 a.m., and the kid’s dash begins at 10 a.m. After the awards ceremony, guests can stick around and visit, listen to live music, buy food or drinks from the local vendors or let their children run free in the three bounce houses supplied by Bounce and Battle.

“We encourage people from the community, whether they are running in the event or not, to check out what’s happening at Camas High School,” Sobolik said. “There’s a little something for everybody.”

Fit Right works closely with the City of Camas to ensure the safety of the participants running and walking on county roads. Proceeds from the event will benefit Camas High School, Girls on the Run, the American Cancer Society and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training.

The half marathon course begins with a lap around Cardon Field and proceeds northwest around Lacamas Lake. After a finger loop around the Camas Meadows golf course, runners and walkers enter the 3.25-mile Heritage Trail along Lacamas Lake. Then, it’s a steep climb back up to Camas High School and a sprint around the track to the finish line.

“The course itself is just awesome. It’s one of the most beautiful courses anyone is going to run,” Sobolik said. “I love it when the gun goes off and this long line of runners grows on the track. It looks like a big snake. It’s really neat to see. And I love to see everybody finish, hang out afterwards and have a good time together.”