Running News Daily

The Lilac Bloomsday Run, one of America’s most cherished road races, is ready to welcome thousands of runners, walkers, and wheelchair athletes to the streets of Spokane, Washington this weekend. Known for its festive atmosphere, scenic course, and rich history, Bloomsday remains a signature event in the running world nearly five decades after its humble beginnings.

The idea for Bloomsday was born during the running boom of the late 1970s. Don Kardong, a local runner who had moved to Spokane in 1974, helped spark the movement. Kardong, fresh off his impressive fourth-place finish in the marathon at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, had been competing in national-class road races and saw the potential for Spokane to host its own major event. In the fall of 1976, he casually mentioned the idea of a downtown run to a local reporter. That simple suggestion quickly captured the city’s imagination and made headlines, laying the foundation for what would become a legendary race.

The first Lilac Bloomsday Run was held in May 1977, drawing about 1,200 participants—a remarkable turnout for an inaugural event. Since then, Bloomsday has grown into one of the largest timed road races in the world, attracting more than 40,000 entrants in its peak years. The race has also hosted elite athletes from around the globe, many of whom appreciate Bloomsday’s challenging course and the enthusiastic support from the local community.

The 12-kilometer (7.46-mile) course weaves through the heart of Spokane, featuring a mix of downtown streets, park trails, and residential neighborhoods. One of the course’s most famous features is “Doomsday Hill,” a grueling climb near mile five that tests the endurance and spirit of every participant. At the top of the hill, runners are cheered on by the race’s beloved mascot, the “Bloomsday Vulture,” a humorous reminder that making it to the summit is a victory in itself.

Course Records and Notable Performances

The Bloomsday course has seen some truly world-class performances over the years. The men’s course record was set by Micah Kogo of Kenya, who blazed through the 12K in 33:51 in 2008. On the women’s side, Tegla Loroupe, also from Kenya, holds the women’s course record with her time of 38:29, set back in 1995.

Over the years, Bloomsday has crowned many notable champions. Bloomsday legend Jon Sinclairwon the race three times during the 1980s, helping to establish its national prominence. Tegla Loroupe, a multiple-time winner, used Bloomsday as a springboard to international stardom, later setting a marathon world record. More recently, Leonard Korir and Emily Chebet have continued the strong tradition of elite competition, pushing the pace and maintaining Bloomsday’s reputation for excellence.

Bloomsday also played a role in the careers of American stars like Meb Keflezighi and Deena Kastor, both of whom have competed in Spokane on their way to Olympic and World Championship success.

More Than a Race

Bloomsday is more than just a race—it’s a celebration of fitness, community, and perseverance. The event embraces runners and walkers of all abilities, offering divisions for competitive racers, recreational participants, and wheelchair athletes. It also maintains a commitment to innovation and fun, with live music, costumes, and spirited crowd support lining the route.

As Spokane prepares to host the 2025 edition of Bloomsday this weekend, excitement is building once again. Whether chasing a personal best, tackling Doomsday Hill for the first time, or simply enjoying the festive atmosphere, participants can look forward to an unforgettable experience that embodies the spirit of community and the enduring joy of running.

Each May for the past 43 years, Spokane has welcomed the coming of spring and the sense of rebirth through the personal journeys of thousands of Bloomies through the streets of Spokane.  This year, when COVID-19 began to make its way into our consciousness, we at Bloomsday worked with our local health officials, clinging to the hope that we could keep our first Sunday in May date alive. However, developments which have come at lightning speed over the past few days have made it crystal clear that it will be impossible to hold Bloomsday as planned.

We are passionate about organizing an event that has become part of the fabric of Spokane.  We cherish each and every participant and volunteer because collectively they make Bloomsday what it is, a true community celebration that connects us all to the best part of what it means to be human.  We don’t want to lose that, even for a year.  In collaboration with the City of Spokane and the Spokane Regional Health District, we are proud to announce that we are going to bloom on Sunday, September 20, 2020. 

We want all Bloomies to know that your entry into Bloomsday 2020 will carry forward to the new date of September 20th including, of course, Corporate Cup.  It is our fervent hope that the world will have COVID-19 well in the rear-view mirror by then and that Bloomsday will be the same great event - - just on a different Sunday.  If you already registered but will be unable to join us in September, your entry will be extended to Bloomsday 2021.  Soon, we will send an email to those who have registered themselves, their family members, and/or their friends for Bloomsday 2020 to provide additional details and instructions. Again, no action will be necessary for those who already registered and will join us on September 20th. 

Just as we’ve had to postpone Bloomsday, we’re also having to postpone Marmot March and Jr. Bloomsday.   As we explore options for those events, more details will follow.   

Bloomsday 2020 will be an event to remember.  Be a part of that, celebrate with us, and show the world that Spokane is a special place that rises up even in the most unsettling of times.

Last minute changes are never easy, especially for an event as large as Bloomsday.  We are grateful for your patience and understanding as our team works to make the process as painless as possible for everyone. 

The pair of winners split a $10,000 “super bonus” for winning the culminating event on the 2019 PRRO Championship Circuit on top of their $7,000 purse for their Bloomsday win.

Geay won Bloomsday’s elite men’s race for the second time in three years.

The 22-year-old kicked ahead of Benard Ngeno late in the 43rd annual race, clocking in at 34 minutes, 50 seconds.

Geay, who finished 15th last year after taking the 2017 title, was neck and neck with Ngeno during the final stretch before outkicking the Kenyan on Monroe Street.

Geay is the sixth runner in Bloomsday history to win multiple men’s elite races.

Wanjiru, 24, was the women’s winner in an unofficial time of 39:05 in her first Bloomsday. She took a sizable lead on Doomsday Hill and opened it to 200 meters in the long straightaway down Broadway.

Second-place finisher Vicoty Chepngeno, 25 of Kenya, had just turned onto Monroe Street as Wanjiru crossed the finish line.

Wanjiru won the 2019 Cherry Blossom 10-mile run earlier this year, setting a record in the process.

Susannah Scaroni won the women’s elite wheelchair division in a course-record time of 29:58, breaking Tatyana McFadden’s time of 30:42. This is Scaroni’s fifth Bloomsday win.

The 28-year-old from Tekoa, Washington, was participating in her 14th Bloomsday. Scaroni participated in the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Games.

The elite men’s wheelchair race was won by Aaron Pike, 36, of Park Rapids, MN, in his eighth Bloomsday race. Pike is a dual sport paralympian and participated in the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Games. Pike had placed second at Bloomsday twice.

Don Kardong, Founder and Race Director of the Lilac Bloomsday Run, will retire following the 2019 Lilac Bloomsday Run on May 5. Jon Neill, an attorney, Lilac Bloomsday Association Board Member, and Bloomsday’s Elite Athlete Coordinator, will take over as Race Director upon Kardong’s departure.

"It's been a privilege to be associated with Bloomsday all these years, and to have worked with so many great people who donate their time to make it happen. I may be leaving the Race Director position, but I plan to continue to be involved after I retire,” said Kardong.

Kardong has been an instrumental force in the development of Bloomsday from its birth in 1977. What was initially a small idea hatched after a chance meeting in the elevator of City Hall between Kardong and Mayor David Rodgers, has blossomed into a Spokane tradition.

Kardong served as President of the Lilac Bloomsday Association from 1982-1984 and over 20 years as Elite Athlete Coordinator before accepting the position of Race Director in the summer of 2004. Since Bloomsday’s inception, Kardong has been at the forefront, leading Bloomsday’s mission of providing a celebration of spring and physical fitness to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities.

“As we prepare for the 43rd running of Bloomsday, we have a great deal to be proud of,” said Bloomsday President Mark Starr. “Don Kardong is a household name in Spokane and highly regarded in the national running community. With Don’s retirement we are excited to welcome Jon Neill as our new Race Director.

Jon has worked closely with Don and the Spokane community for many years now. His knowledge of Bloomsday and its inner workings is second to none. I’m excited to be a part of this team and look forward to Bloomsday’s future.” Neill will take over as Race Director following the 2019 Lilac Bloomsday Run. 

With a little over two months before the Lilac Bloomsday Run, organizers are excited about the early surge in signups for the 42nd edition of Spokane’s 12K Sunday May 6th. Over 8,000 runners have already entered since online registration opened on January 1, suggesting the final tally could reach 50,000 by race day....The elite competition promises to be fierce, as world-class runners battle for prize money, which includes a $20,000 U.S. citizen’s purse. Bloomsday is a member of the PRRO Circuit of major prize money races, and as such supports national and international competition while working in partnership with drug testing agency Clearidium to promote a drug-free sport. In addition to the elite racers at Bloomsday, top age-group runners will vie for specially designed medals.