
From the Organizer
Bush Park Thursday Night Races – August 2026
Join us this August for another exciting season of Bush Park Thursday Night Races! Whether you're chasing a personal best or just out for some fun with the local running community, this family-friendly series is a summer favorite.
🏃 Race Info & Registration
This year’s 3K and 5K courses have remained the same from the previous year, and the overall race format remains the same.
Online registration is available via RunSignUp and is highly encouraged. Same-day registration will also be available onsite as in previous years.
💡 Pro tip: Register for multiple races at once to save on processing fees!
Online registration closes each Wednesday night before race day.
Kids' races (500m & 1600m) are in-person registration only, on race night.
📅 Race Nights & Schedule
Join us on Thursdays: August 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th — final week being Ribbon/Awards Night!
**WVRR club members get discounts on all our races, so be sure to join the club. Your membership fees go directly to making these races happen and towards our donation programs and our annual Kelsy Oldham Memorial Scholarship. To learn more, visit our site linked above.**
Evening Schedule:
5:00 PM – Registration Table Opens
6:00 PM – 3000 Meters (Open to All) – $10
6:20 PM – 500 Meters (Ages Under 7) – FREE
6:35 PM – 1600 Meters (Ages 7–12) – FREE
6:50 PM – 5000 Meters (Open to All) – $10
💙 Community Impact
Your participation helps support:
Local High School Cross Country Teams
The Kelsy Oldham Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Willamette Valley Road Runners
🚫 Friendly Reminders
For everyone’s safety, no strollers or pets are allowed on the race courses.
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
85°
Typical Low
56°
Chance of Rain
8%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Salem Mcnary Fld, 3 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
176,666
as of 2023
Elevation
174 ft
Nearest Airport
SLE
Salem-Willamette Valley Airport/McNary Field · 2 mi
Major Hub
PDX
Portland International Airport · 49 mi
Time Zone
Pacific Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Bush Park Thursday Nights in August Race Series, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
59
Days to train
Coming Up
Salem Summer Solstice 5/10K
Less than a mile away
STRIDE 5k/10k Run Walk Riverfront and Minto-Brown Island Parks
Less than a mile away
RUN/WALK FOR THE RARE!
Less than a mile away
CASA of Marion County Superhero Run
Less than a mile away
From Endurance Grid
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Bush Park Thursday Nights in August Race Series
Aug 6, 2026