On April 22, the City of Gresham hosted the fifth annual Gresham Lilac Run presented by Unitus Community Credit Union.
Over 500 runners gathered at Main City Park along with their families, local business sponsors and vendors before hitting the trails for the 5K, 10K, and half marathon races. This year, the run welcomed athletes from as far as Alaska, Ohio, Indiana, New York and Florida.
Each year the Gresham Lilac Run proceeds go directly to a local nonprofit. This year, nearly $20,000 was raised for Thimbleberry Collaborative Farm. The nonprofit creates a more sustainable, equitable and healthy food system. With the race proceeds, Thimbleberry Collaborative Farm plans to host field trips for kids in East County to learn more about sustainable farming and gardening from any home style.
Beneficiaries for the Gresham Lilac Run are selected through an application process with the City. The application dates for the 2024 beneficiary have yet to be determined.
With the Gresham Lilac Run occurring on Earth Day, Gresham honored the special day - and the race's fifth-year milestone - by planting five new lilac bushes along the Springwater Corridor. The lilacs were donated by Al’s Garden and volunteers with Friends of Gresham Japanese Garden helped plant them.
The Gresham Lilac Run is entirely funded by sponsorships and without the generous support of our new and returning event sponsors, this event would not have been possible. A special thank you to:
- Presenting sponsor: Unitus Community Credit Union
- Bronze sponsors: Migration Brewing Co., Mt Hood Chiropractic, Tatu Protein Water, Konell Construction and Demolition, Premier Dentistry, and Country Coffee Hitched Up.
- Partner sponsors: Gresham Country Coffee, Marathon Printing, and Eastwind Running and Endurance.
The 2024 Gresham Lilac Run date has not yet been determined, but we look forward to sharing more information soon.
Learn more about the Gresham Lilac Run.