Race Report: Oregon 70.3, July 20, 2025

On July 20th, 2025, a strong crew from Human Powered Racing headed south to take on the Oregon 70.3 in Salem. It was a race that delivered fast splits, big smiles, and all the team spirit you’d expect from a team like ours.

The Course: Fast, Scenic, and First-Timer Friendly

Swim – The day kicked off with a downriver swim in the Willamette River. With a gentle current helping push athletes along, swim times were fast and confidence-building—perfect for newcomers to the 70.3 distance.

Bike – The 56-mile bike course rolled through the farmland outside Salem. Flat to gently rolling, it was a fast course with wide-open views and well-supported aid stations. For those looking to test their legs without huge climbs, it was ideal.

Run – A shaded, two-loop run course kept temperatures manageable and spirits high. The support on course—both from volunteers and cheering spectators—was incredible and helped push everyone through those last miles.

The Team: Strength in Numbers

The Human Powered Racing team showed up in force, with a lineup of athletes that brought energy, encouragement, and a lot of orange and black kits to the course. Huge kudos to:

Christopher Mavrikos, Kezia Dawes, Jeff Dawes, Carole Richer, Eileen Harper, Gerald Kersten, Lisa Kersten, Shae Pazdernik, Kailey Turner, Colin Scott-Moncrief, Madi Campbell, Sandy Wilson, Mike Neill, Diana Thaxter, Reina Fennell, Jordan Lamarche, Owen Smid, Armando Prida, and Dan Samilski — whether it was their first 70.3 or one of many, everyone represented the team with true HPR spirit and class.

Why Oregon 70.3 Should Be on Your Radar!

Whether you’re chasing a personal best or stepping up to your first half Ironman, Oregon 70.3 is definitely a race worth doing. It’s logistically friendly, beginner-welcoming, and offers a fast, fair course that rewards preparation.

But above all, racing with a team turns a race weekend into a celebration—of training, travel, and shared goals. From the pre-race 20/20/20, pep talks, post-race recaps and everything in between, the energy was unbeatable.

Ready for your first (or next) 70.3? Oregon might just be the perfect stage—and there’s nothing quite like tackling it with a team like HPR behind you.