Keep on running, and running, and running…

It is true, we become interested in things we are given the privilege of being exposed to especially when it is a passion of our loved ones. Katy and I both are married to Ultra Runners. Yea, you know, the crazy people who are not content to run “just” a marathon. Ultra Runs are typically run on trails and exceed 26.2 miles. Both our husbands get a thrill out of running out on the trails, in beautiful country, mostly in the mountains and along rivers. They have both trained and run 100-mile events, the goal being to complete the 100 miles within 24 hours. Many do it in way less time say 15 to 16 hours. Trail runs usually mean elevation gain. Up and down, they go for hours. Ultra Running affects everyone. The time it takes to train and plan for such runs can’t help but overlap with family and friends, and work schedules. So you either choose to support it or take away their joy of pushing the limits and challenging themselves beyond most people’s endurance level. We choose to support them!




Running is part of our lives and a pastime we participate in, in the effort to stay fit. It has lead us to seek out and support other races not only as volunteers, but also as designers and swag makers. To date we are working on three races, two of them Ultra Runs. We are in the process of re-designing a logo, creating tee-shirt art and finding suppliers for the swag bags of a half marathon called Run In The Country, which will happen July 18th. We’ve ordered medals for all finishers as well. Only a week later, July 25th there is a 50 mile Run we have been working on, the Mt. Hood PCT 50. So far we have created a new identity for them, ordered shirts we will have screen printed with their new logo, and are in the process of ordering some awesome arm warmers. The arm warmers will even have the logo woven in. Pretty cool. And finally, we are working on a new identity for a run in August called the McKenzie River Trail Run. It is a 50k run that leads you along the McKenzie River, a beautiful run for sure. We will be ordering and printing shirts for them, as well as giving them options for swag. Last year we ordered beautiful jackets from Brooks and had them embroidered. They were presented to all finishers, and were a hit.

We will physically be volunteering at all of these races. Hopefully the weather will improve since we will be camping at the Ultras. Having the understanding of what is required to compete in and direct these races has really given us the knowledge to help the Race Directors. Whether we create art or hunt down the perfect swag from t-shirts, to water bottles, to finisher medals, hats, or chap stick the list goes on. Leave it to the imagination; if you can think of it, it is probably out there and available for your race.