Competitor.com recently posted their bucket-list of 10K’s in the United States. While the Lake Oswego Lake Run wasn’t included, it does have a lot in common with these popular contenders.

1. Tradition. The Statesman Capitol, Texas’ largest 10K is in its 37th year, while the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta has been sending runners across the finish line since 1970. The Lake Run is in its 39th year so it too has a long-standing tradition to its name, along with the best of them.

2. Unmatched scenery. The Healthy Kidney Race loops through Central Park and the Dana Point Turkey Trot provides views of the Pacific Ocean. The Lake Run features lake views along the way from the beginning as you cross in front of the marina to glances midway along South Shore and the expansive shot on Lakeview Boulevard as you pass the Lake Grove Swim Park.

3. Elite field. With prize money of $10,000, the Cooper River Bridge Run in North Carolina is sure to draw an elite field but the Lake Run manages to draw the local elite with runners like Scott Pinske (listed in the top 3.2% of 10K Athlinks runners) finishing first last year with a time of 33.53.

4. A little bit of masochism thrown in. BolderBoulder finishers can claim “Sea level is for sissies” after conquering the 5,391 foot peak elevation in the Memorial Day 10K (mind you, they start at 5,275 feet). Anyone who has ever participated in the Lake Run will assure you that finishers here earn bragging rights too after surviving the McVey Hill climb that keeps on going until the course peaks along South Shore at 455 feet (that’s from a start at 150 feet).

5. Entertainment. You won’t find live bands every quarter mile like at Runner’s World’s “All-Time Best 10K—BolderBoulder” but you will find a Family Fun Festival that runs from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. complete with a giant slide, face-painting and crafts for the kids and food and beverages for all.

Lake Run is scheduled for Saturday, May 9. Complete details and registration information online.