‘Happy Little Kids Race’ in Bend

What better way to get kids outside this summer than with running events? And Saturday, the Happy Little Kids race in Bend.

Boys and girls ages 3 to 10 years old took part in the 1.5-K fun run.

Each Happy Little Kid received a T-shirt and a bib number.

But there was even more incentive this year for kids to get outside this summer with the new program.

Lay it Out Events has put a new program together this year called Kids Rock the Races, with five different race thiss summer.

“We got a little passport here. Each race the kids do this summer, they get a punch on their passport, and then they start getting little goodies,” said Molly King, event coordinator. “They get a Cuppa Yo gift card, Leapin’ Lizards gift card, a prize pack from REI, and if they do all five races, they get a gift card to Foot Zone.”

King said the non-competitive event is fun to see the kids get motivated and enjoy being outside while doing a good activity.

The next run for kids is the Mini Duel Run at Duel in the Desert on June 2nd. That’s followed by COP’A’s Kids Splash and Dash at the Deschutes Dash on July 14th and finally the Balloon Blast at the Balloons Over Bend on July 22nd.

Also Saturday was the packet pick-up for the Happy Girls Half Marathon and 5K.

The race takes place Sunday,, but women were at Riverbend Park all day to pick up their packets.

Organizers say many women have been registering for months for the race, and they expect over 1,000 racers tomorrow.

The route starts along the Deschutes River and includes terrain of gentle trails and paid surfaces.

Moms, daughters, sisters, aunts and even best friends will be there.

“It’s a hard race for some women, but it’s so much fun because the ladies are there for each other,” King said. “They are encouarging each other along the way. There’s training groups going on for months beforehand, and we just love to have a community event. People coming from out of town, just having fun and being girly, but also being really tough.”

Women will be treated to a goodie bag and for the finishers they will receive a custom necklace.

Also there will be an expo with vendors.

The race begins at 9:00 a.m.