Three Weeks In July, Mon Dieu!

Mesdames et Messieurs, the highlight of the Red Lizard summer season is right around the corner! That's right, it's time for the seventh annual Tour de Goose! The Red Lizard version of le Tour is a six stage running event fashioned after and taking place during the Tour de France. Just like the Tour de France, the Tour de Goose is primarily about fun and friendship-with plenty of running involved too. Runners of all ages and speeds are welcome. As Directeur Emeritus Jeff likes to say, "You don't have to be fast to win!" No matter what your running speed, you will have a shot at winning Stages and could even the whole Tour itself!

When: Three Thursday evenings in July (July 9, 16, and 23) and one Saturday (July 25). Festivities begin at 6:15pm each Thursday evening, and 10:00 am on Saturday.

Cost/Registration: New this year, entry is FREE for Red Lizard Members! Bring your membership card for sign up. (You'll still need to sign a waiver.) For non-members, registration will be $5 per day, or $15 for the entire event. Registration starts thirty minutes prior to the starting time of each event (5:45 on Thursdays, 9:30 on Saturday).

THE STAGES:

Thursday July 9, 6:15 pm, Stages 1 and 2 - Guillotine Mile and French Waiter Relay: The Guillotine Mile is a mile time trial on the Lincoln HS track, located at 1600 SW Salmon Street. The goal is to start as late as you can and still cross the finish line before the clock strikes zero and the blade drops! The winner is the person who starts latest and finishes within their predicted time.

Following the Guillotine Mile will be last year's popular debut event, the French Waiter Relay. Four person relay teams of equal total speed will compete head to head, each team member running one lap wearing and/or carrying an array of increasingly cumbersome items that might be found on a French Waiter. This will be mad fun!

Thursday July 16, 6:15 pm, Stage 3 - Storm the Fairview Bastille: This year marks the return of the open race up to Fairview. Mass start at 19th and Harrison (note the new start location), a no holds barred race to the top of Fairview! The course is partly on pavement, partly on trails, and will be well marked. We'll regroup at Fairview, then continue on to Pittock Mansion. As we take in the beautiful view of the city, we will commemorate the 220th anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille with a piece of cake. Afterwards, meet at the Goose Hollow Inn for refreshments, results and awards! The coveted Mista Vista trophy will be awarded to the male winner and the famous Sista Vista trophy will be awarded to the female winner.

Thursday July 23, 6:16 pm, Stages 4 and 5 - The Handicapper and Downhill "Mile": Another race from 19th and Harrison up to Fairview, this time with a staggered start, slower runners starting first, speedy runners starting last. Handicapping will be based on the finish times from a recent 5k or 10k. Or if that's not available, from the Storm the Fairview race, Or if that's not available, at the discretion of the Stage Directeur.

We'll then continue up to Pittock, regroup, and then have a trail Downhill "Mile." It won't be a full mile, but it'll be close enough. Details to be determined, stay tuned.

Afterwards, you know the drill by now: meet at the Goose Hollow Inn for refreshments, results, and awards!

Saturday July 25, 10:00 am, Stage 6 - The Goozard Challenge: This will be the third year of the Goozard Challenge, and we're looking to make it better than ever! Start time is 10:00 on Saturday. You can form your own team ahead of time if you desire, or be assigned to a team at the start of the stage. There will be elements of map reading, puzzle solving, teamwork and strategizing...and lots of running! This stage will start/finish from picnic Area A in Washington Park. (Map)

Awards Ceremony & Barbeque: Immediately following Stage 6 we will have an awards ceremony and potluck barbecue at the picnic area. Team Red Lizard will supply burgers, you supply the war stories!

Questions? See the Red Lizard website, redlizardrunning.com, for more details, or contact Steve Trautwein at 503-709-7741 or goozard@gmail.com.