On your mark, get set, the Awesome 3000 is back
The Awesome 3000, a favorite annual tradition for two generations of Salem-Keizer students, is back.
The United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley is resurrecting the beloved fun run after a three-year absence. It will be held April 29 at Bush's Pasture Park.
The Awesome 3000 went away when the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation folded. The foundation organized the event for nearly four decades, hosting more than 88,000 runners and 15,000 volunteers, some year after year.
"A lot of key volunteers who have been part of Awesome for many years came back to help," said Jodi Blackman, United Way's director of education and enrichment and grant manager. "They've been instrumental in helping us piece this back together."
Many of the event's traditions remain, including the location and format.
Families can cheer from the stands at Willamette University's McCulloch Stadium, which has covered seating for 3,500. Crowds of 5,000-plus have cheered students on in past years at the start and finish lines. The event has never been billed as a race, although officials keep times and starts are staggered by age group.
Alligator mascot Geo will be there, and participants will receive T-shirts and medals.
United Way didn't have time for the traditional T-shirt logo design contest, but Blackman said they plan to bring that back next year.
As a tribute to the event's history, organizers "jazzed up" the design from the inaugural run, adding the slogan "Back to the Awesome 3000" and putting it on lime green T-shirts instead of white.
Event is a community celebration
The first Awesome 3000 took place in 1983, with about 350 participants. Organizers called it the first of its kind in Oregon.
Participation increased each year, and it eventually grew to what was considered the largest timed youth fun run in the country. It has always been more than just that, a community celebration with hundreds volunteering each year to create a fun, safe activity while raising money for education.
Blackman said they are looking for more volunteers, with most of the need for the 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. shift.
She and a few others on the United Way staff have experience as Awesome volunteers. Blackman also was a staff member at the foundation before it folded. She helped with event registration in 2019, when more than 2,900 students participated.
United Way steps up to organize
A conversation between United Way CEO Rhonda Wolf and Salem-Keizer Public Schools Superintendent Christy Perry sparked United Way's involvement, deepening a growing partnership between the district and nonprofit agency.
Perry has been a fan of the event during her tenure, standing at the finish line most years to congratulate participants and award medals.
United Way had already adopted the Enrichment Academy before and after school programs formerly run by the foundation. It also saw the need to create a new fund to benefit schools.
The Awesome 3000 has been a fundraiser for education since the beginning, and all proceeds will continue to support local schools.
Blackman said the new Salem-Keizer School Fund is where schools, teachers and programs can apply for assistance, much like the innovation grants funded by the Awesome 3000 in the past.
Awesome can't happen without generous sponsors
As important as United Way's role is, its staff knows the event takes a village — and about $100,000 in sponsorships.
"People have really stepped up," Blackman said.
Capitol Toyota is the title sponsor and also will be the place to pick up packets before event day.
There is no registration deadline, but participants should register before April 27-28, when packets will be available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Capitol Toyota lobby, 783 Auto Group Ave. NE.
The event webpage notes packets will not be available on the day of the event.
Many other sponsors are involved, and some will set up information booths in the "Activity Village" outside the stadium. Salem Youth Sports Alliance will help coordinate the infield where runners do warmups before start times.
How to participate or volunteer
Registration for the 2023 Awesome 3000 is online for both participants and volunteers. The race fee is $25. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old.
Visit the event webpage for more information, including age group start times, distances and course maps.
Capi Lynn is the Statesman Journal's news columnist. Send comments, questions and tips to her at clynn@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6710. Follow her work on Twitter @CapiLynn and Facebook @CapiLynnSJ.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Awesome 3000 student fun run is back in Salem, Oregon
