Angry Owl Ultramarathons - August 8-9, 2026
All photos taken by WYSIWYG Photography
A special note for the 2026 race: Join us for year ten of Angry Owl Ultramarathons! We're excited to share this fun weekend with old friends and new. We moved home to Oregon in early 2017 after living in Santa Barbara, California for a few years and falling in love with trail and ultrarunning. Bush Park has been a hub for local runners for generations, but no ultras were being contested in Salem. We decided to take a chance and change that. A few timed events were happening in the Pacific Northwest, but they weren't as common then. Many folks gave us confused looks when we explained the format of our upcoming race and thought it was crazy. We went through with it anyway and hoped that somebody else would think that this is a cool idea. Through the years of hosting Angry Owl we've put hats on heads of runners across the country, we've seen some incredible performances, and we've made great friends. This weekend is a focal point for our family's summer and we have no intent of stopping. Our kids don't know a life without an Angry Owl weekend in August. We still get that same confused look when people ask us about our event, but now we know that lots of really cool runners think that this is a cool idea. These people make the event what it is. Come hang out with us and meet some really cool runners. |
Connect with other Angry Owl runners on Facebook.
RETURNING RUNNERS: Welcome back! A few things have changed this year. The route and start times are a bit different. Please read through.
WHAT: Angry Owl is a running party. We have 5 different races over the weekend. 24 hour, 12 hour, or 6 hour runs over a flat one-ish mile loop. Think of these timed runs like an elementary school jog-a-thon for grown ups (snacks included).
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, August 8-9, 2026
Saturday
WHERE: Bush's Pasture Park, Salem, Oregon.
We will be on the southeast end of the park by the Phillips Softball Field off of Leffelle St SE and Yew St SE.
This address will get you to the parking lot: 1050 Leffelle St SE, Salem, OR 97302.
PRICES: 24 Hour Run - $95 though May 31, $100 after May 31
12 Hour Run - $70 through May 31, $85 after May 31
6 Hour Run - $55 though May 31, $70 after May 31
COURSE: The City of Salem will no longer permit us to use the loop that we used from 2017-2025. We will still headquarter in the same corner of the park, and we have crafted a new loop that is pretty similar to the previous one. The new loop measures 1.05 miles and has a combination of hard packed dirt, well-maintained non-technical trail, packed gravel, and some asphalt. The new length means that runners now get a "free" mile every 20 loops. See the Strava map here.
TIMING: Race will be chipped timed by the expert timers at Race Northwest.
AID STATION: We will have a single aid station near the Start/Finish area stocked with water, electrolyte drink, fruits, salty snacks, sweet snacks, and some other goodies. You are welcome to leave some of your own foods near the finish line for easy access as you're running. In order to reduce waste, we will not be providing any cups. Bring your own bottle(s) or cup(s). They can be kept at the aid station if you'd like.
RUNNERS SETTING UP CAMP: Our start/finish location is right next to a small parking lot, so your vehicle will be accessible during the race. Runners are welcome to bring their camp chairs and coolers to the event and set them up near the start/finish area as long as they are not impeding the runners or other park-goers. Do be aware that this is public park, and that event organizers and volunteers will not be watching your belongings or be liable for anything that is lost, broken, or stolen. Runners and crew may not camp at the park on Friday night before the race.
SPECTATORS: The park is open to the public during our event, and spectators are more than welcome to come out and support. Family and friends may join runners for a lap or two throughout the event, but please do not plan on running all day with your spectator.
PACERS: Please do not plan on using a pacer. A friend or family member may join you for your final lap, but no formal pacers are permitted.
WEATHER: Be prepared for hot weather, but this is the northwest so you ought to be prepared for cold and rainy weather as well.
LIGHTS: There's a 100% chance that it'll get dark at night. We'll light the aid station area, but runners are responsible for lighting up their run with a headlamp, handheld light, or both.
REGISTRATION: on Ultrasignup
CAPS: Each runner will receive a cap designed and made by Josh and Emily.
MEDALS: None will be available.
AWARDS: We'll aim to have some sort of goodies from Salem businesses for our top finishers.
WHAT’S WITH THE NAME? Owls at Salem's Bush's Pasture Park gained national attention by attacking a few runners and taking a few hats. Don't worry, nobody was seriously hurt, and the attacks are rare. It became a fun talking point when MSNBC Reporter Rachel Maddow held a competition to design a sign warning park goers of the owl. Now, the signs are posted and locals and internet observers alike have had fun with the image and have even given the owl a name!
2017 RACE RECAP: Read Rachel Entrekin's recap of the 12 hour run here.
2018 RACE RECAPS: Read Stacy McGraw's recap of the 12 hour run here and Craig Simmons' recap of the 24 hour run here.
RETURNING RUNNERS: Welcome back! A few things have changed this year. The route and start times are a bit different. Please read through.
WHAT: Angry Owl is a running party. We have 5 different races over the weekend. 24 hour, 12 hour, or 6 hour runs over a flat one-ish mile loop. Think of these timed runs like an elementary school jog-a-thon for grown ups (snacks included).
- Runners who register will for the timed runs will have that amount of time to run as many miles as they can around our one-mile loop. Runners can take breaks, naps, leave the park, etc. We will record the amount of laps completed in the selected time frame.
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, August 8-9, 2026
Saturday
- 6:00-6:45AM - Check In
- 7:00AM - (All runners will begin together in one mass start.)
- 24-Hour Run begins
- 12-Hour Run group 1* begins
- 6-Hour Run group 1* begins
- 4:00PM - 6-Hour Run group 2* begins
- 7:00PM - 12-Hour Run group 2* begins
- 7:00AM Sunday, August 9 - All events conclude
WHERE: Bush's Pasture Park, Salem, Oregon.
We will be on the southeast end of the park by the Phillips Softball Field off of Leffelle St SE and Yew St SE.
This address will get you to the parking lot: 1050 Leffelle St SE, Salem, OR 97302.
PRICES: 24 Hour Run - $95 though May 31, $100 after May 31
12 Hour Run - $70 through May 31, $85 after May 31
6 Hour Run - $55 though May 31, $70 after May 31
COURSE: The City of Salem will no longer permit us to use the loop that we used from 2017-2025. We will still headquarter in the same corner of the park, and we have crafted a new loop that is pretty similar to the previous one. The new loop measures 1.05 miles and has a combination of hard packed dirt, well-maintained non-technical trail, packed gravel, and some asphalt. The new length means that runners now get a "free" mile every 20 loops. See the Strava map here.
TIMING: Race will be chipped timed by the expert timers at Race Northwest.
AID STATION: We will have a single aid station near the Start/Finish area stocked with water, electrolyte drink, fruits, salty snacks, sweet snacks, and some other goodies. You are welcome to leave some of your own foods near the finish line for easy access as you're running. In order to reduce waste, we will not be providing any cups. Bring your own bottle(s) or cup(s). They can be kept at the aid station if you'd like.
RUNNERS SETTING UP CAMP: Our start/finish location is right next to a small parking lot, so your vehicle will be accessible during the race. Runners are welcome to bring their camp chairs and coolers to the event and set them up near the start/finish area as long as they are not impeding the runners or other park-goers. Do be aware that this is public park, and that event organizers and volunteers will not be watching your belongings or be liable for anything that is lost, broken, or stolen. Runners and crew may not camp at the park on Friday night before the race.
SPECTATORS: The park is open to the public during our event, and spectators are more than welcome to come out and support. Family and friends may join runners for a lap or two throughout the event, but please do not plan on running all day with your spectator.
PACERS: Please do not plan on using a pacer. A friend or family member may join you for your final lap, but no formal pacers are permitted.
WEATHER: Be prepared for hot weather, but this is the northwest so you ought to be prepared for cold and rainy weather as well.
LIGHTS: There's a 100% chance that it'll get dark at night. We'll light the aid station area, but runners are responsible for lighting up their run with a headlamp, handheld light, or both.
REGISTRATION: on Ultrasignup
CAPS: Each runner will receive a cap designed and made by Josh and Emily.
MEDALS: None will be available.
AWARDS: We'll aim to have some sort of goodies from Salem businesses for our top finishers.
WHAT’S WITH THE NAME? Owls at Salem's Bush's Pasture Park gained national attention by attacking a few runners and taking a few hats. Don't worry, nobody was seriously hurt, and the attacks are rare. It became a fun talking point when MSNBC Reporter Rachel Maddow held a competition to design a sign warning park goers of the owl. Now, the signs are posted and locals and internet observers alike have had fun with the image and have even given the owl a name!
2017 RACE RECAP: Read Rachel Entrekin's recap of the 12 hour run here.
2018 RACE RECAPS: Read Stacy McGraw's recap of the 12 hour run here and Craig Simmons' recap of the 24 hour run here.
