13th Annual Helvetia Half Marathon + 5K & 10K - Saturday, June 8 , 2013
Half Marathon Start 8am - 5K & 10K Start 8:30am
Helvetia Half Marathon Voted BEST HALF MARATHON IN THE NORTHWEST 2012!! 
New in 2013...Helvetia 5K!!
Welcome to the Helvetia Half Marathon, 5K & 10K. We are excited for the 13th running of this award winning event where you "Leave the City Behind". Come enjoy this scenic course with breathtaking views of the gorgeous countryside in rural Washington County. We are proud to win the BEST HALF MARATHON in the Northwest - Competitor Magazine Reader's Poll 2011& 2012!
Cool video, cool video, cool video, cool video, cool video...CLICK ON THE PICTURE and ENJOY!! This can be YOU in 2013, DO IT!!
This event begins and ends at the Gordon Faber Hillsboro Stadium. The spectacular course travels through the pasturelands of northwest Oregon, past the hamlet of Helvetia and its historic landmark Helvetia Tavern, and back to the Hillsboro Stadium for a grand finish in the center of the stadium floor amid a cheering crowd where Helvetia Tavern Burgers (meat or veggie) and a beer garden await. It's no wonder the Helvetia Half Marathon is voted the BEST HALF MARATHON in the Northwest! This course is hilly and challenging which makes the reward even better! Enjoy all of this and live music at the 13th Annual Helvetia Half Marathon + 5K & 10K. Sign up today!
Our THANKS to SAFEWAY and the SAFEWAY Foundation for sponsoring the Helvetia Half Marathon and matching our charitable contributions again in 2013.
General Race Information:
- The half marathon begins at 8:00am Saturday, June 8. (run and walk) ARRIVE THE STADIUM BY 6:30am. Please see driving and parking instructions.
- 5K & 10K begin at 8:30am
- Our course is open for 4 hours only. Please abide by regular traffic signals if you are on the course for more than 4 hours.
- We love our canine friends however the Hillsboro Stadium does not allow dogs on site. Please remember to leave your puppies at home as they will hot, bored and tired in you car!
- Road Closures: Hwy 26 exit ramp at Brookwood Parkway will be closed at 7:30am on race day morning. ODOT and the Hillsboro Police will allow participants to enter the race from Hwy 26 on several exits including 185th, Cornelius Pass South, Brookwood Pkwy and Jackson School Rd. however Brookwood Pkwy will be closed to traffic at 7:30am as this is the race course. Remember to come early and get parked and pick up your packet, stretch and enjoy the atmosphere as we have 5000 participants that will be entering the area. Please plan to arrive at the stadium by 6:45am - for most people that is leaving your house by 6:15am!
- Oregon Live Blog: What to expect at Helvetia....by Kelly Johnson
FEES:
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Half Marathon: $69 thru 2/14/2013; $75 thru Monday, 6/3/2013. Day of race $85 (online reg closes June 3 @ 8pm. You may register at packet pick up for $75 cash or check only. Shirt not guaranteed-given at race.
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10K: $49 thru 2/14/2013; $55 thru 6/3/2013. day of race $65 (online reg closes June 3 @ 8pm. You may register at packet pick up for $55.) Cash or check only-shirt not guaranteed and given after the race. Kids 14 & under $35
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5K: $35 thru 2/14/2013; $40 thru 6/3/2013. Day of Race $50 Kids 14 and under $25
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Day of Race Registration and registration at packet pick up is CASH or CHECK only.
Famous Helvetia Tavern Burger or Garden Burger + Technical T-shirt included in registration fee.
Team Discount: Invite your friends and save $4 on your entry, just register as a team, it's easy!
Set up a TEAM when you register for any of the three races and receive a $4 discount off of each entry. You need 10 people to receive TEAM STATUS. If you sign up for a team online you will be automatically discounted during registration. If you are mailing an entry or signing up in-store please have all 10 forms together. If you don't receive 10 members online by race close you will be charged the additional $4, nothing to lose so why not give it a try? Set your team up today during online registration and start inviting your friends to join today!!!
Packet Pick Up at Portland Running Company:
Click Here for all Packet pick up information.
Bag Check
You will receive a plastic goodie bag at packet pick up, please write your race number on this bag and bring to the stadium for clothes drop. We will have black markers available for you at packet pick up, please have your number written on your bag BEFORE you get to the race to save you time in line. We will take care of your possesions while you are on the course. GOING GREEN!! Thank you for reusing your goodie bag as it is much better on the environment to only use one! Please pick up your bag promptly after the race so bag check volunteers may enjoy the post race too!
The Start:
Half Marathon Start: 8:00a
5K & 10K Start: 8:30a
The race starts in front of the Hillsboro Stadium on 229th - please look for the balloon arch. Remember to line up at the
starting line based on your pace. New this year: PACERS!! Look for Helvetia Half Marathon Pacers at the starting line of the race. The pacers will wear balloons and will be holding up signs with the pace they are running the race. Please line up in the correct area, faster runners in the front and walkers in the back. Please stay to the right hand side of the course unless the course otherwise directs you. The course is not closed to traffic in opposing lanes and emergency vehicles w
ill need passage. If you cross the yellow line you can be disqualified from the race. Walkers, please stay two abreast at all times for your safety and the safety of others. Strollers are not allowed on the course. Music is allowed on the course as long as you can hear those around you. We suggest one earbud.
On the Course:
Water stops and Porta Potties will be available at miles 1.1, 2.3, 3.7, 4.8, 5.8, 7.3, 8.5, 10.1 and 11.6. Water and Heed will be on the course. Clif Shot will be available at mile 5.8 and 7.3 on the half marathon course only. You can find it at the corner of Helvetia Rd. and Jackson School Rd. If you have an emergency on the course, please stop at one of the 9 water/aid stations on the course. Watch for the Clif Energy Zone just before the out and back portion of the race. You will hit the Clif Energy Zone twice so be ready to be energized!
PACERS ARE BACK!
Look for the Helvetia Half Marathon Pacing Team at the starting line of the race. The team will be wearing balloons labeled with their pace time.
Pace Team 2012:
7:45 - Brittney VanVleck
8:00 - Robyn McGillis
8:30 - Amanda Davidson, Paula Harkin
9:00 - Christina Knopf, Ernie Conway
9:30 - Tina Wood, Jill McDonnell
10:00 - John Pontefract -Portland Fit
10:30 - Kristin Barnett
12:30 - Shelly Beckers
Parking:
Driving and Parking Instructions here. Please remember parking is free however it is limited so please carpool and please come early to avoid traffic lines and stress on race day morning. Cars will be parked in both the stadium lot and Intel, be prepared to park where you are directed. We suggest arriving to the stadium by 6:30am.
Race Shirts & Finisher Medals:
2013 is our 13th year and we have a beautiful Technical Running Tee to commemorate it! Our shirts are designed specifically for men and women. Helvetia T shirts will be given out at packet pick up. We cannot exchange t-shirt sizes as we ordered the size you requested on your registration form but we will have a table at the finish area for those that want to swap. Please show the volunteers at the Tshirt table your race number to redeem your shirt, your shirt size will be listed on your race number. If you would like to swap sizes with another particpant, please hang out at the t-shirt table after the race and we will assist. Thank you, we think you will love your technical race shirt! REMEMBER, race shirts are guaranteed for pre registered participants only! Please register early to guarantee YOUR shirt order!
All Half Marathon Finishers will receive a finisher medal. If you do not get your medal at the race (we never want to run out, but we DO want to be prepared) we will mail you one after we place an additional order. Every half marathoner will get a medal.
Your race number has a tag that will get you your Famous Helvetia Burger or garden burger. Family and friends may purchase burgers at the race. Your race number also gets you a discount on shoes and apparel at all Portland Running Company locations.
As always...The Famous Helvetia Tavern will be setting up a beer garden! bring your ID, cash only.
Awards
Ribbons and cool Helvetia Mugs will be given to the top overall Male and Female of the half marathon and the 5K and the 10K as well as top Masters in each event. Ribbons and mugs will also be given the top 3 male and female in each age group starting with 0-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34...Portland Running Company gift cards will be given to the overall winners as well. Random prize giveaways will be handed out to lucky folks that stick around for the awards ceremony. YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!!! We do not ship or save awards. Please stay for the awards ceremony, it makes a difference!! :)
Live Music!! Ty Curtis - FACE MELTING!!
This year, Ty Curtis will be at the Helvetia Half Marathon!! We met Ty and his amazing band this year and we think he is amazing!!
Ty Curtis is a triple threat, since he is the band’s lead singer, as well as the primary composer of their material, and thirdly he’s a sonically incendiary, string-shredding electric guitar player.
To watch Curtis perform in person offers a visual dimension that can only be appreciated by the experience, as he exudes and emanates an energy that radiates through the audience, like an alien life force.
Race Photos
Race Photography by Evan Pilchik.
Intel's very own running group, Hai and friends! Thanks, Hai!
Did you know?
The Helvetia Half Marathon supports kids from our local High Schools. For many years the Helvetia Half Marathon has worked directly with Liberty High School and Wilsonville High School supporting athletes that are willing to train for this half marathon while in school. Administrators, counselors, teachers and parents all assist in this program to get kids to the start and finish lines of the Helvetia Half Marathon. The Helvetia Half Marathon is proud to donate over 100 entries to these kids and Portland Running Company donates shoes to these kids as well. Collectively we can make a difference giving these kids a lifelong outlet of health and fitness. Way to go Libery Fit and Willie Fit! Look for them on the course and at the finish line, they are amazing kids!
A portion of the proceeds of this race go to The Boys and Girls Clubs of Portland and The Lymphoma & Leukemia Society's Team in Training, thank you Team in Training for providing awesome course volunteers!
We are pleased to continue our partnership with our amazing sponsors. Thank you to The Helvetia Tavern, The Old Spaghetti Factory, Hammer Nutrition, Portland Running Company, Portland Fit and Intel. A huge thank you to the Helvetia community for their support over the years and to the City of Hillsboro and the Gordon Faber Hillsboro Stadium for all of their assistance. Thank you to all of the many volunteers that make this event the best half marathon in the Northwest - 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.
Start & Finish Location: Hillsboro Stadium, 4400 NW 229th Ave, Hillsboro, OR 97124
Event Phone: 503.524.7570
e-mail race director: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Our Sponsors
