There’s always a full schedule of sports events in the region during the summer months, but September has lined up to be a pretty exciting month in the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region of Oregon. Here are just six of many not-to-miss sports events coming up this September:
- Return of Oregon Football
Flags flying from car windows, masses dressed in green and yellow and excitement buzzing around the water cooler at work are all signs that football season has started in Eugene. Fans begin gathering four hours before kickoff at Essig Field where the sports bar-like atmosphere features food vendors, a full bar, live music, tented seating and big screen TVs for watching the game. The first home game is September 7th with the Ducks hosting University of Nevada, Reno at Autzen Stadium. GO DUCKS! - Harvest Day Regatta
As the end of the sailing season fast approaches, Eugene Yacht Club will host the Harvest Day Regatta on September 7th and 8th at beautiful Fern Ridge Reservoir. Multiple fleets race on an Olympic circle course on one of the Willamette valley's most scenic bodies of water followed by some fantastic food. Picnic and watch the action on the banks from Richardson Park or Orchard Point Park. - McKenzie River Trail Run 50k
No, that’s not a typo—it’s 50k. The McKenzie River Trail Run is Oregon’s longest-running ultra-marathon and has run annually since 1988. The route runs along the beautiful McKenzie River, with two spectacular waterfalls, a lake so pristine it’s called Clear Lake, lava flows, old growth forest, numerous log bridges and Tamolitch Pool where the river flows from an underground lava tube. The McKenzie River National Recreation Trail is one of the prettiest trails in America. - UASTF 1 Hour Run Championships
Get out to the McKenzie Community Track & Field on September 7th to see the USATF Oregon 1 Hour Run Championships. In this event, runners attempt to break the record for the farthest distance covered on a track in one hour. The current records stand at 18,586m in the men's division and 16,074 m in the women's division! There will be food carts and live music at the track as part of the McKenzie River Trail Run 50k post-race festivities. - Northwest Nationals Drag Boat Races
Dexter Reservoir in Lowell will be home to the Northwest Nationals on September 14th and 15th. The event is hosted by the Columbia Drag Boat Association. Spectators can view dozens of competitors vying to be champion over several qualifiers and elimination rounds. - USA BMX Gold Cup Championship Northwest
Head to Eugene's Emerald Valley BMX track on September 27th through the 29th to see the competitive Gold Cup Championship Northwest. The event is part of the Gold Cup Series and is one of five regional events leading up to the Gold Cup Finals. Bikes will be flying during the sprint races on Eugene's purpose-built off-road single-lap race track.
The Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports Commission helps bring many diverse sporting events to the region. For more details about these and other events, visit the Sports Events Calendar.