Eugene, OR — The 2024 Eugene Marathon Weekend was both unlike any other before it and also just the same. Each year, when the Eugene Marathon descends upon the communities of Eugene and Springfield as it has since 2007, thousands of local and regional runners reunite at Hayward Field to participate in the marathon, half marathon, Eugene 5K or Kid’s Duck Dash presented by OCCU. This year not only did more of the regulars return, but thousands of new-to-Eugene runners from cities like Austin, Miami, Boston, Atlanta, Victoria, and Guadalajara also ran in the footsteps of legends and crossed the iconic Hayward Field finish line.
In all, 50 states and 28 countries were represented across the start lines of all four races. Over 12,000 runners registered in all four events, over 10,000 finished, and an estimated $6.8 million in economic impact to the local region – which is $2 million over the 2023 impact. And another big milestone was also met, as the event obliterated its charity fundraising goal to raise a combined $233,000 for local non-profits.
“Our hope each year is to be an event that both serves our local running community and welcomes runners from across the world to experience the magic that is here in Track Town, USA,” said Race Director Ian Dobson. “In 2024, we’re very proud to say that not only did we have more returning runners than ever before, but we also had thousands of new runners from all over the world; and, on top of all that, we were able to nearly double our goal for charity fundraising.”
The Eugene Marathon’s Run for a Reason program provides local and national charities the ability to use the race as a platform for fundraising. Last August, race organizers set a goal to raise over $150,000 in 2024.
When the marathon distance sold out six weeks before race day and the half marathon and 5K followed a few weeks later, joining a charity team (by committing to fundraise for that charity) was the only way for wanna-be runners to ensure a bib on race day. A certain number of bibs were set aside for charities who had signed up to participate in the Run for a Reason program, so those teams saw many more members sign up to fundraise after the races sold out to the public.
The 2024 Eugene Marathon Run for a Reason teams were: A Family for Every Child, Boys & Girls Club of Emerald Valley, CASA Lane County, Circle of Friends, Carry It Forward, Girls on The Run Greater Oregon, Parkinson’s Foundation, Relief Nursery, Rimrock Trails, Ronald McDonald House of Oregon & SW Washington, Shift, St. Baldrick’s Foundation, and St. Vincent de Paul Lane County.
With the increased number of runners – about 2,500 more than in 2023 – the organization also had to up its number of volunteers from 2023 to over 1,300 individuals in 2024. Most volunteers were high school groups, teams, sororities and other non-profit organizations who also received a donation from the Eugene Marathon for their helping hands on race weekend.
Registration for the 2025 Eugene Marathon is now open with Early Bird pricing through Sunday, May 5.
