Moving to Spokane, Riverfront Park was a big draw. When I finally was able to step out of Google Maps and experience downtown and the park firsthand, I remember being struck by "The Joy of Running Together" sculptures by David Govedare commemorating the annual Bloomsday run.
It was my first introduction to the annual 12K race, set to take place this year on Sunday, May 4, and since then it's come up in many conversations with Spokanites, as well as popped up during thrift store trips as I've unearthed plenty of Bloomsday finisher T-shirts.
Though I've yet to experience the race firsthand myself, from what I've learned it's a good indicator of what Spokane is all about: community, generosity and a scenic showcase of area landmarks.
Founded by Olympic marathoner Don Kardong, the first race took place on May 1, 1977, with 1,198 finishers. Attendance numbers peaked in 1996 at 61,298 participants. When COVID-19 hit, Bloomsday took place virtually in September 2020, and then again in May 2021.
Michael Kiter, the new board president of the Lilac Bloomsday Association, predicts that there will be around 37,000 participants in this year's race.
"I was heavily involved in the running community back in the '90s as a little kid. Bloomsday, at that time, was doing Junior Bloomsday," Kiter says.
After moving back to Spokane after college, Kiter gradually became more involved with Bloomsday as a volunteer. He was then asked to be on the board, which he's served on now for 11 years.
This year, he'll direct Bloomsday's starting line, which has been shifted about 40 feet west due to a course recertification.
"We recertified the course and due to some road construction that's happened on the course we had to move the start line," Kiter says.
He says it's normal for road race courses to be recertified every few years, making sure that it spans the exact distance.
Another change at the starting area includes a large screen showcasing this year's elite athletes and information on race sponsors.
On Sunday morning, Riverside Avenue will be packed with runners and walkers separated into different Bloomsday color groups based on their expected pace. Many of them will shed extra layers of clothing worn for the brisk morning, throwing it up into trees to later be collected and donated to a local thrift store.
After passing through Browne's Addition, these thousands of Bloomies cross Marne Bridge over Latah Creek into West Spokane. There are plenty of water stations, live bands and even some entrepreneurial snack vendors between there and the bottom of the dreaded Doomsday Hill leading back up to West Central.
Doomsday wouldn't be the same without its iconic vulture waiting at the top to encourage runners, a costume made and worn by Bill Robinson each race for over 30 years. There's not much farther to go for weary feet once you reach Broadway Avenue and pass the Spokane County Courthouse before turning right toward the finish line at the north end of the Monroe Street Bridge.
Among this year's elite athletes is Kenya's Sarah Naibei, who returns after winning Bloomsday's women's elite division last year at 39 minutes. Also keep an eye out for former Gonzaga running star James Mwaura, who's running his first Bloomsday, and Diego Estrada, who broke the American record by running the 2024 25K Amway River Bank Run in Michigan at 1 hour, 13 minutes, and 9 seconds.
While there are athletes vying for glory and prize money, everyone who makes it past the finish line is an official Bloomie and can head to pick up their finisher T-shirt. Check out next week's edition of the Inlander to learn more about this year's design.
What sets Bloomsday apart from other major road races is that the bulk of participants are community-based.
"While we do have those that travel ... the mainstay is local and community, and we really lean into that," Kiter says.
He also notes that Bloomsday is the 10th-largest race in the nation.
"Most of the races that are bigger than us are marathons," Kiter says. "We're the largest race on the West Coast, and it's just little ol' us in Spokane." ♦
GET SET — GO!
PRIORITIZE COMFORT"Use the shoes that you've been running or training in. New shoes are going to lead to a whole lot of pain at about mile four or five," Kiter says.
HYDRATE
"The other big thing is that you should be hydrating like crazy ... making sure that you are drinking the right amount of water," Kiter says.
EAT SMART
"Depending on what color group they are, I really recommend not changing too much of your breakfast habits," Kiter says. "But if you're a person that doesn't eat breakfast, then I would definitely do something like a banana or a bagel, keeping it relatively light [and] giving yourself some energy to be able to use during the run."
LATE REGISTRATION
While you can't register the day of the race, you can sign up online or in person at the Spokane Convention Center on Fri, May 2 and Sat, May 3 for $50 (including fees). For the Virtual Bloomsday, online registration remains open until May 4.
CHECK-IN
Pick up your race number at the Spokane Convention Center's Exhibition Hall, 334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. Pickup is on May 2 (11:30 am-7 pm), May 3 (9 am-5 pm) and May 4 (7:30-9 am).
TRADE SHOW
After you check in or register, check out the trade show in the convention center filled with vendors of all types.
PREPARE ACCORDINGLY
Depending on your objectives, you'll have needs throughout the race. For instance, if you're planning to walk with children, Kiter suggests preparing snacks and other necessities.
ARRIVAL
Come to the starting area near 801 W. Riverside Ave., entering from the back of your assigned color group, about 30 minutes before your group's estimated start time. Check bloomsdayrun.org for more details.
THE WEATHER
At the time of writing, the forecast for May 4 is partly cloudy with a high of around 60 degrees and a slight chance of rain.
