Oregon Sports Authority

Portland Timbers vs. University of Portland Men’s Soccer Team

Meyer — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:25:17 +0000

The Portland Pilots will host the Portland Timbers in an exhibition soccer match on Wednesday, February 17 at Merlo Field with proceeds going to Mercy Corps, an organization committed to the long-term recovery of Haiti. Mercy Corps is currently working to create thousands of jobs for earthquake survivors, secure clean water and safe sanitation for hard-hit neighborhoods, and help kids traumatized by the earthquake.

Destination Races introduces Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon

Meyer — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:15:36 +0000

Destination Races, LLC is expanding its popular Wine Country Half Marathon Series to Oregon. The fourth, and newest, edition to this series, the Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon, will be held on September 5, 2010 with activities planned throughout the Labor Day weekend.

The event features a bucolic 13.1 mile course starting at Stoller Vineyards and Winery in Dundee. Runners then wind through the heart of the Willamette Valley, finishing in the town of Carlton where the Wine & Music Festival is held from 9:00am to Noon. Local wineries will be pouring at the festival which also features the race awards ceremony, live band, exhibitor booths, and beer and food garden. The festival is co-sponsored by Ken Wright Cellars and the Willamette Valley Wineries Association.

The Race Expo is held on Saturday from 10:00am to 6:00pm at The Allison Inn, a luxury resort located in Newberg. Open to the public, the expo features exhibitor booths, packet pickup for runners, informational seminars and a wine and food tasting hosted by Chehalem Mountain Winegrowers.

According to Matt Dockstader, founder of Destination Races, the event is positioned to introduce the Oregon wine country to a whole new market. “This area is very picturesque, the wines are outstanding and best of all, the people here are so warm and welcoming.” Dockstader added, “I really believe this is going to be one of the premier destination races in the country and if the other Wine Country Half Marathons are any indication of what’s to come, Oregon wine country can see a measurable boost in tourism that weekend due to the event.”

The Oregon Sports Authority played a leading role in bringing the event to Oregon and facilitated introduction to event partners, making it possible for a 2010 event to come to fruition. “We’re delighted to help bring the Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon to the Yamhill Valley,” said Drew Mahalic, CEO of the Oregon Sports Authority. “It’s a chance to share two of Oregon’s greatest passions — wine and running — with visitors coming to participate from across the country.”

Destination Races also produces the Napa-to-Sonoma, Santa Barbara and Healdsburg Wine Country Half Marathons in California. These boutique-style events draw runners from all over the country and are limited to 3,000 runners or less, usually selling out well in advance of the race. The Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon also offers a team competition and a 2-person relay.

Elite runners will compete for $2,000 in prize money sponsored by West Coast Bank, plus Ball Watches and magnums of wine. Each participant receives a technical running shirt, colorful finisher’s medal, and logo wine glass. Top three finishers in each age category win a bottle of wine and other awards. The Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon is limited to 2,000 participants in its inaugural year. Registration is currently open and can be accessed on the event website at www.run4oregonwine.com. For more information on the event series, visit www.destinationraces.com.

Tour de Cure

Meyer — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:06:40 +0000

Portland goes for the gold with local links to Vancouver events

Meyer — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:05:38 +0000

Athletes are gearing up, organizers are planning to use artificial snow and the 21st Winter Olympics are set to kick off with the opening ceremonies Friday, Feb. 12, in Vancouver, British Columbia.

It’s the closest the Olympics have been to Portland, but if you don’t have a ticket to any events, a couple hundred hours of television coverage will be provided by NBC and other networks (see day-by-day list on page 4). NBC’s 17-day coverage, aired locally on KGW (8), begins with opening ceremonies at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12.

— Excerpt from the Portland Tribune, February 4, 2010

Amateur Softball Association National Championship

Meyer — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:30:36 +0000

2010 Girls 16B Western

Portland Timbers officially launch MLS work

Meyer — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:07:40 +0000

As Merritt Paulson faced 50 PGE Park employees Thursday morning in the first official staff meeting of the Major League Soccer Portland Timbers, he spoke in grand terms of the franchise that begins play in 2011.

“This is bigger than the Pacific Northwest being the hub of soccer in North America,” Paulson said. “This is about soccer finally taking hold in the country. You know, for years people have asked, ‘When will the world’s biggest sport finally matter in America? When will all those kids who play soccer actually watch soccer?’ And I tell you that that time is now.

— Excerpt from OregonLive.com, February 4, 2010

2010 National High School Racquetball Championships

Meyer — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:17:42 +0000

eUpdate – Winter Celebration at the Square, MLS Finalized, Wine Country Half Marathon

Meyer — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:55:22 +0000

The Oregon Sports Authority is pleased to announce “Winter Celebration at the Square,” a free public viewing event of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games Opening Ceremony at Pioneer Square on Friday, February 12. You’re invited to join in the spirit of the Olympics as the square is transformed into the ultimate living room setting for winter sports enthusiasts, complete with two giant LCD screens, interviews with Oregon Olympians, live music, warm drinks and a hockey goal-scoring challenge. Plus, enter now for a chance to win a trip to see the Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony!

Click below to view the entire Oregon Sports Authority eUpdate.

Finally, MLS comes to Portland

Meyer — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:03:27 +0000

In big Timbers news, the Portland City Council provided their official approval of the operating deal between the city and Peregine Sports to bring MLS to the Rose City. The resolution passed by a four to one vote, with Commissioner Amanda Fritz providing the single no vote. She cited concerns about the deal’s effect on the spectator fund and using the funds for other uses, although Commissioner Randy Leonard later refuted most of her arguments. Further items that passed included approval of the initial construction agreement, approval of the zoning changes for PGE Park, and approval of an agreement with Ball Janik LLP to provide consulting services on the stadium redesign. Paulson signed his portions of the agreement this morning, putting the wheels in motion for Portland Timbers MLS to start in 2011.

— Excerpt from OregonLive.com, February 3, 2010

Portland Oyster Urban Adventure Race

Meyer — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:56:12 +0000

The Portland Oyster Urban Adventure Race. This race is a blast! It is billed as the ”ultimate” urban adventure race for its uncanny ability to combine pure athleticism with thought provoking strategy. Your team will run-bike-paddle-climb- and perform other crazy athletic stuff to race around the city, answering clues and completing tasks. This amped, one-day race will have you doing things and in places you never experienced before!