Please see "Breaking News" below for continuous race updates

Willkommen to the Leavenworth Oktoberfest Marathon.

Leavenworth is Washington’s “Bavarian Village” located 2 hours east of the Puget Sound bordering the Wenatchee National Forest and Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area.

Oktoberfest is Leavenworth’s biggest festival of the year with 2 weeks of music, parades, food (and of course, beverages) and activities for children and adults. A great race will only be part of your unique experience on race weekend!

The primary mission of the Leavenworth Oktoberfest Marathon is to promote cancer research.  Everyone knows someone who has suffered through cancer, and your race directors, Ian and Ted, have both been directly impacted and are committed to doing their part to fight the disease.  You can help.  The Leavenworth Oktoberfest Marathon donates $10 of every entry to the Vascular Biology Lab at Children’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts aka “Angiogenesis Research Program.”  By donating directly to the lab, we hope to produce for our sponsors, volunteers, supporters and participants direct evidence of where the dollars from the race go to help find a cure. The lab's emphasis is studying angiogenesis.  Sandy Ryeom, runner and researcher, gives us periodic updates so you can see how you money is being spent.  Sandy’s current research is trying to solve the puzzle of why people with Down’s Syndrome are particularly resistant to cancer.  Click here for Sandy's September 2007 update and here for her May 2008 update. Stay tuned for updates on the lab’s research.

The Marathon is run in cooperation with the U. S. Fish &
Wildlife Service, Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery.  Please visit their great museum and learn about their fish restoration and other programs.

**BREAKING NEWS**

2008 GETS 3 MORE SPONSORS!

Stemilt Growers, Inc.

Jeffers, Danielson, Sonn & Aylward, P.S.

Wenatchee Anesthesia

Stemilt Growers, Inc., headquartered in Wenatchee, Wash., is a family-owned tree fruit grower-packer-shipper. As one of the leaders in U.S. tree fruit, Stemilt ships nearly 12 percent of Washington's apples each year and 10 percent of the pears from the Northwest. Stemilt is also the nation's leading sweet-cherry shipper, supplying 25 percent of the sweet cherries grown in Washington.

Jeffers, Danielson, Sonn & Aylward, P.S., is a premier Eastern Washington law firm based in Wenatchee.   JDS&A has been providing counsel in business transactional and litigation matters for over 60 years.  Several JDS&A attorneys are amongst the strongest in their areas of specialty in the Pacific Northwest.

Wenatchee Anesthesia is THE medical group providing anesthesia services in Wenatchee area hospitals.  Wenatchee Anesthesia supports various community efforts consistent with a healthy lifestyle.

WELCOME ANJOU BAKERY AS A 2008 SPONSOR

Anjou Bakery is located near Cashmere and specializes in creative baked goods, and in particular fantastic artisan bread and pastries.  We look forward to having great treats from Anjou Bakery post race in 2008.

BIOSPORTS AND WRAC JOIN AS NEW SPONSORS

Please welcome a couple of old friends as new sponsors of the race.  Biosports Physical Therapy and Wenatchee Racquet & Athletic Club, both located in Wenatchee.

BIOSPORTS physical therapists specialize in orthopedic and sports medicine rehabilitation, video gait and running analysis, and orthotics. Biosports clinicians have a wide range of degrees and certifications, from board certified Orthopedic Clinical specialists, to Athletic Trainers and Massage therapists. All therapists have experience working with amateur and professional athletes of all levels and sports.  You can read all about Biosports at www.biosports.net

WRAC is a member-owned non-profit recreational facility that offers a multitude of facilities and programs including tennis, racquetball, squash, aquatics, fitness classes, children's programs and spa services. Please visit WRAC at www.wrac.org.

ACCOMODATIONS FILLING FAST
Accomodations in Leavenworth and Wenatchee are filling fast for marathon weekend.  Don't be discouraged if you find hotel full, there are plenty of accomodations still available, especially B&Bs, home rentals and other ancillary lodging. The quickest, most efficient way to find availability is to call the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce (for Leavenworth area accomodations) at 509-548-5807 or Wenatchee Visitors Bureau (for Wenatchee area accomodations) 800-572-7753.

COSTUME CONTEST
In 2006, we had people run in great costumes and hats, and gave some 'spur of the moment' prizes to recognize those folks.  We will be offering prizes for bavarian costumes and Oktoberfest spirit, as judged by the race participants.  To help runners get in the mood, The Hat Shop has offered a 30% discount off purchases the morning of the race!!