About Us — Run to Stay Warm

Run To Stay Warm: an annual tradition presented by the Eugene Marathon since 2019

Since 2007, runners of all ages have joined together on the third Sunday in November to Run to Stay Warm – a perfect name to acknowledge the event’s purpose from the beginning: to get people out running or walking (usually on one of the chilliest mornings of the year) with the knowledge that the miles they complete are for a bigger cause: to raise money for EWEB’s Customer Care Program.

The local running community also saw the start of the Eugene Marathon in the spring of 2007 and in 2017, the Eugene Marathon team began providing operational support to EWEB’s Run to Stay Warm event organizers. In 2019, the Eugene Marathon team took ownership of the event, with very few changes: the race kept the same location, distances, time of year and purpose.

In 2020 the race took a virtual turn, like many others due to the pandemic; but with new great swag (beanies, scarves and socks!) and support from runners both local and as far away as Ohio, the event still succeeded with nearly 1,000 participants. In 2021, the Run to Stay Warm returned to an in-person race at its historic location: EWEB plaza. The event swelled to over 1,300 participants in 2022 and moved just down the bike path from EWEB to Eugene’s new Downtown Riverfront Park.

Through the years, and with new ownership, the event has grown in both numbers and reputation as one of the fastest fall races in the Pacific Northwest. It has also stayed true to its roots: always taking place on the Sunday before Thanksgiving and always serving its community by benefiting EWEB’s Customer Care Program.

This year, runners at the 17th Annual Run to Stay Warm will toe the starting line on November 19, with a half marathon, 10k and 5k. All courses take participants along both sides of the Willamette River via Eugene’s beautiful Ruth Bascom bike path system. A free kid’s 400m dash will start off the day at 8:30 am, with the half marathon to follow at 9:00 am and the combined 10k/5k starting at 9:15 am. All runners get a free Run to Stay Warm beanie, a custom finisher’s medal and get to enjoy an after-party in the park – including beer for all 21+ finishers from Viking Brewing, coffee and hot chocolate from Palace Bakery, and cookies and grilled cheese bites from Franz Bakery.

For more information about the Eugene Marathon, visit the Eugene Marathon website.