Thu, Aug 6, 2026

Bush Park Thursday Nights in August Race Series

Salem, OR

Registration openAnnual since at least 2018

3000m5K

About the Bush Park Thursday Nights in August Race Series

Bush Park is the setting for this summer series, with a short course and a longer course both running through the park on race evenings. The format stays consistent week to week, so you can show up knowing what to expect. Kids have their own races on the same night, which makes it a genuine family evening rather than just a backdrop for adults.

Same-day registration is available on race night, though signing up ahead online is the easier path. A running club discount applies for Willamette Valley Road Runners members. The final week of the series is an awards night, and entry fees support local cross country teams and a memorial scholarship fund.

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Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2025 results, this is a small, friendly field, and the field is fairly quick, so expect a competitive front.

5000m · 2025 results

55finishers

18:27winner

26:15median

56:14cutoff

Top 3: Josh Steffan (18:27) · Bohden Sowa (19:29) · John Cernava (20:38)

3000m · 2025 results

42finishers

11:02winner

15:35median

20:08cutoff

Top 3: Joshua Evans (11:02) · Ezekiel Erickson (11:29) · Cameron Collins (11:36)

The Bush Park Thursday Nights in August Race Series has been held every year since at least 2018. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 5000m results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

3000m8/6/2026 18:00$10

5000m8/6/2026 18:50$10

3000m8/13/2026 18:00$10

5000m8/13/2026 18:50$10

3000m8/20/2026 18:00$10

5000m8/20/2026 18:50$10

3000m8/27/2026 18:00$10

5000m8/27/2026 18:50$10

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

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Common Questions About the Bush Park Thursday Nights in August Race Series

Will I finish last at the Bush Park Thursday Nights in August Race Series?

Almost certainly not. Half the 5000m field finished slower than 26:15, and the last recorded finisher came in around 56:14, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the Bush Park Thursday Nights in August Race Series a good first 5000m?

It is a small race (55 finishers), which is friendlier and less intimidating than a big-city event, though the field thins out. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 5000m, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the Bush Park Thursday Nights in August Race Series?

The 5000m winner ran 18:27 while the median finisher took 26:15. That spread points to a relatively quick field, so expect a competitive front end.