We're sitting at a way-side on Highway 30 right now, waiting for one of our runners to finish his leg so we can move on in the relay. I'm having a little trouble with the cell phone internet connection, so I've only been able to upload a couple picstures so far. But, Elvis has definitely left the starting line:
Two of the great things about Hood To Coast are what runners to do dress up their vans, and themselves. On the right in the pic below is KGW Running Footage team member Michelle Ruark. Next to her, a runner from a team called "Half Rack".
For me the day started at KGW in the early morning. Up to Mt Hood we went, where I ran leg 2. After our team finished our first legs (each runner runs three legs) we handed off to Van 2, which carries teammates 7 through 12. From the van exchange in Sandy, we bolted back to Portland. I dropped off my teammates at A co-workers home, where they all showered and got some needed rest. I wolfed down some yummy home-made food and then bolted down to the seconf van exchange, under the Hawthorne Bridge to do live shots and the weather for the 5, 6 and 630 pm newscasts. Met a lot of fun and friendly runners down there! After that, I drove back to Ande's home to pick up my
van-mates and grab a quick shower. Then back to the Hawthorne Bridge exchange where those of us in Van 1 begin our second set of legs. And here we are!
We've got three more legs before we hand off to Van 2 again, then we bomb ahead to where we get hte baton back from Van 2 the last time. We'll grab a couple hours sleep in a field in the Coast Range. I'll try to update the blog again tomorrow after the legs have been run!
Happy Trails,
Matt Zaffino
KGW Chief Meteorologist
ok, technological breakthrough. Cell phone internet allows me to upload more pics. Maybe there's better service here in Scappoose.
Here are the Van 1 runners from top left: Brad Zellick, Michelle Ruark and Pam Gordon from KGW Sales, yours truly, Craig Brown, sales, and Scott Burton from News.
I shot this while running down the mountain from Government Camp. It's great when other vans are made up in cool ways. And runners cheer on other runners!
NW Cables News photographer Adam Tischler gets the good video at the start of the relay.
On a very sad note, we just drove by a car accident on Highway 30. The KGW newsroom tells me a female runner was hit by a car and has life-threatening injuries. The driver of the car was also hurt badly. It's sad and sobering to know a fellow runner has fallen. To my knowledge this is the first time a runner has been hit by a car during the race. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her and her family.
