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The Great Columbia Crossing cometh
The Great Columbia
Crossing 10K run/walk is
coming up Sunday, Oct.
15. Make sure you get the
opportunity to experience
the Astoria Bridge on foot
and register to participate
in this annual event.
“The Astoria-Megler
Bridge is the longest
continuous truss bridge in
North America and such a
wonderful icon for resi-
dents and visitors alike,”
said Kelsey Balensifer,
event coordinator for the
Astoria-Warrenton Cham-
ber of Commerce. “This
4.1-mile bridge was the
last link in U.S. Highway
101 running from northern
Washington to southern
California, and it has
served to connect our com-
munity to the world.”
This 10K offers a scenic
adventure on a fairly flat
road with one steep incline
to the peak of the bridge.
Whether you’re an expe-
rienced runner or look-
ing for a family-friendly
event, the Great Columbia
Prices, perks
and merch
PHOTO BY JOSHUA BESSEX
Gregorio Moreno, left, and Natalie Sahnow, right, run along the Astoria Bridge during The Great
Columbia Crossing 10K race in 2015. Sahnow was the first female finisher of the race.
Crossing 10K appeals to
everyone.
The Great Columbia
Crossing 10K run is an Of-
ficial USA Track & Field
Certified Event. Competi-
tors can choose to be timed
with an electronic chip and
will be given a separate
start time from walkers.
Participants are re-
quired to register in
advance and registration
will close when the event
reaches capacity of 3,500
participants. For safety
reasons, no bags are al-
lowed on the race course.
Every year, the Great
Columbia Crossing offers
a long-sleeve event t-shirt
featuring new original art-
work designed specifically
for the event. The 2017
artwork shows the bridge
span on the northern end
for a different look at this
historic structure.
The Great Columbia
Crossing is hosted by the
chamber and sponsored by
the Columbia Memorial
Hospital Cardiology Clinic.
Registration is $40.
Optional add-ons include
an electronic timing device
($5) and long-sleeve t-shirt
($15 to $17).
Registration includes
free parking with shuttle bus
service to start of race from
the Port of Astoria or the
Port of Chinook in Washing-
ton; bib number (required
to board shuttle and access
bridge); light snacks at
the finish line; five “Clam
Bucks” worth $1 each that
can be redeemed at partici-
pating chamber businesses
Thursday, Oct. 12, through
Wednesday, Oct. 18.
A once-a-year opportu-
nity to run or walk across
the Astoria Bridge.
Volunteer
For this event, the
chamber relies on volun-
teers filling roughly 80
shifts over four days. Vol-
unteers help with several
duties, from packet pickup
and race course set-up, to
shuttle bus loading and dis-
tributing water at the finish
line. Anyone interested in
being a part of the team
can sign up to volunteer
at greatcolumbiacrossing.
com.
For more information,
visit the website, call 503-
325-6311 or 800-875-6807,
email events@oldoregon.
com, or drop by the cham-
ber in person at 111 West
Marine Drive in Astoria.
For information about
the region and local
lodging options, check out
travelastoria.com.
Engage in some floor play at Arts & Movement Center
SUBMITTED PHOTO
ASTORIA — The
Astoria Arts & Move-
ment Center (342 10th
St.) presents the follow-
ing dance opportunities
in October.
• Beginning Ballroom,
Salsa and East Coast
Swing — a three-week
series: 6 p.m. Tuesdays,
Oct. 10, 17 and 24. The
series costs $40 per
person; $15 per person is
the drop-in rate.
• Beginning level
West Coast Swing — a
three-week series: 7 p.m.
Tuesdays, Oct. 10, 17
and 24. This series is
$40 per person, $15 per
person for drop-ins.