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​The Gorgeous Series, Kari Strang, and Max King are very pleased to announce that the Bend Marathon and Half-Marathon has been acquired by Kari Strang and Max King.
 
The Bend Marathon and Half-Marathon was founded by the Gorgeous Series in 2015 and has quickly become a must-do race in the Pacific Northwest. The race has developed a reputation as one of the country’s most scenic courses, with registration increasing by double-digits each year. The event now includes a 10k and Family 5k, which were added in the last two years. Last year, 2,144 people registered for one of the events’ four races, coming from 39 States, Canada, the UK, and China. 25% of the runners were from Central Oregon.
 
Kari Strang and Max King have been fixtures of the Bend running scene, coaching youth and adult running programs as well as race directing other prominent Bend running events such as the USATF Cross Country Championships, Bigfoot, Grin and Bear It, Monster Dash, and the Bend Cross Country series. They are excited to be taking on the Bend Marathon. As long time members of the Bend community, they look forward to working with the city and neighborhood associations to make sure the Bend Marathon continues to be a source of pride for the city and the Bend running community. 
Gorgeous Series owner, Kerry Loehr said that he and his partner, Traci Manning wanted to find a way to give more attention to the Gorgeous Series’ five Oregon one-day relays. But, said Kerry, “The Bend Marathon and Half-Marathon was created by runners, for runners to highlight everything that is incredible about Bend. We are only able to part with it because we know as runners and residents of Bend, Max and Kari will not only honor that intention, but have the skills, passion and experience to continue the event’s growth and take it to the next level.”
 
The 2019 Bend Marathon and Half-Marathon will take place on Saturday, April 20. Registration will open soon. The Gorgeous Series puts on five one-day relays in the most gorgeous parts of Oregon. The next event is the Gorgeous Relay, Sunday, September 16.
 
Kerry Loehr can be reached at 503-380-9389, [email protected], www.gorgeousseries.com
Kari Strang can be reached at 541-788-6412, [email protected], www.bend-marathon.com
 

Run Bend, Drink Bend!  We are super thrilled to have Deschutes Brewery as our beer sponsor.  Finishers will have their wonderful craft beer waiting for them at the finish.  First one is free!

(Bend, Ore.) – Registration has opened for the 2016 Bend Marathon and Half, presented by Picky Bars. It will take place April 24, 2016. Bend, Oregon is nationally known as a premier destination for outdoor sports, breathtaking scenery, and 300 days of sunshine. Bend has been named Best Trail Running Town in the nation in the past, but until last year did not have an annual road marathon. In 2015 the inaugural Bend Marathon and Half sold out the half marathon and garnered rave reviews:
 
Trust me, this is the latest addition to YOUR “Running Bucket List”. You won’t regret it. Prepare to be blown away.                             – Matt Rasmussen, Run Oregon
 
Several professional runners and triathletes call Bend home, including Picky Bars co-founders Jesse Thomas, Lauren Fleshman and Stephanie Bruce. Picky Bars is Presenting Sponsor of the Bend Marathon and Half for the second year running.
 
As a born and raised Bend guy, I know first hand this city’s amazing running environment, and the Bend Marathon and Half is a fantastic course that shows off the best of it. Picky Bars is honored and stoked to support and encourage people from all over the US to come join us for a super fun day in Bend!                            – Jesse Thomas, Picky Bars Co-Founder & CEO
 
Bend, Oregon has also been named Best Mountain Biking Town in America, Best Beer City 2014, one of Outside Magazine’s Best Stand-up Paddleboard getaway and Best Places to Work, National Geographic Adventure’s World’s Best Ski Towns, and even DogTown USA by Dog Fancy magazine.
 
Other race sponsors include FootZone Bend. The Bend Marathon and Half is proud to partner with American Cancer Society to provide funding for lifesaving research and support Bend-area programs for cancer patients and their families and early detection and education within the community.
 
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