The Lake Oswego Women’s Club is sponsoring the 37^th annual Lake Run this Saturday, May 11, beginning and ending at Millennium Plaza Park. Here’s why you should be there when runners cross the starting line.

 It’s a new course! Race organizers are debuting a 10k course this year that features scenic neighborhoods, beautiful lake views, and….a flatter course. Gone are the McVey ascent and the Summit haven’t-we-already-climbed-enough hill of the 12k course.

Instead, runners will enjoy a kinder, friendlier route. Run organizer, Diana del Garbino, explains that the course redesign is an attempt to mix things up to attract new runners and save some money in race setup costs. “We are a charity first and foremost,” she explains, “and we want most of our funds to go to charity.”

Keep your money local. This is a local run organized for local charities. Your money isn’t going to any national organization but staying close to home, like the Children’s Center of Clackamas County, a resource for children who are victims of suspected abuse or neglect.

Tech t-shirts. Along with the new and improved course are new and improved t-shirts. Say good-bye to the moisture-grabbing cotton tees of years past and add this tech shirt to your running wardrobe.

Medals. Sure, there’s a sense of satisfaction that comes from crossing the finish line, but having a medal to hang around your neck helps the race afterglow last a little longer.

It’s a family affair. Depending on the makeup of your family, there is a run to suit you. Choose from the 10K, 5K, One Mile Walk or Kids Dash. And after everyone has crossed the finish line, enjoy the Family Fun Festival with information booths, arts and crafts, face painting, balloon animals, food and the Matt Brown Band.

Check out the race website for registration details. And see why other runners say this is a race to put on your bucket list!

 P.S. If you’re not a runner, come out anyway to cheer the entrants on. As a Lake Runner myself, I know how much crowd support adds to the experience.

Summertime is upon us with lots to do in Lake Oswego. Stay up-to-date on what’s happening by subscribing to my blog. Just click “Sign me up” in the upper right hand column.