Oakland Run Co. Celebrates 6th Edition of Oaktown Half Marathon

The Oaktown Half Marathon celebrated its sixth anniversary on August 11, 2019 as the first official event under the banner of Mascot Sports’ Oakland Run Co., a new venture that launched on Global Running Day to celebrate and unite Oakland’s vibrant running community. The event boasted a new course and more runner perks than ever, including first registration access to the guaranteed-to-sell-out 2020 Bay Bridge Half.

“The Oaktown Half and 5K is quickly becoming a must-do summer tradition not only in the city of Oakland, but for runners who traveled internationally to be here,” said race owner and Mascot Sports CEO Ryan Dawkins. “We couldn’t have asked for a better day with our Oak Run Co. and all of the local partners who came out to showcase and celebrate everything Oakland offers through the eyes of our running community.”

“A huge thank you to the people at Oakland Run Co.,” said Robb Henshaw, who has competed in the Oaktown Half Marathon four times. “This is an amazing event. The Oaktown Half was phenomenal. The people, the course, the entertainment… it’s great energy and really well organized. It’s an awesome race that keeps getting better and better.”

The Half Marathon kicked off on the steps of City Hall and brought runners along a fun, fast and social route through the very best of Oakland. The next wave of running included a 5K and Kids Stomper’s Stomp presented by the Oakland A’s. Beyond the finish line was the Oaktown Finish Festival, a post-run party featuring food, craft beer and merch from the some of the community’s most-loved local vendors including Oaklandish and Old Kan Beer and Co.

Additional event and community partners included: the Oakland A’s, Nuun, Visit Oakland, Bartable, Honey Stinger, Sports Basement, Alameda County Food Bank, Oakland Public Education Fund, November Project, East Bay Beer Runners, Lohnes and Wright, Tough Mudder Bootcamp Oakland, Dragon School, Flax Art and Design, and Running for a Better Oakland.

Originally founded as the “The Town Half” in 2014 by Mascot CEO, Ryan Dawkins, the event was acquired and then cancelled in 2017. In 2018, Dawkins spearheaded its return to rebuild this local tradition and fuel Oakland’s thriving running culture.  The Oaktown Half is part of three signature events under the Oakland Run Co. umbrella, which also includes the Bay Bridge Half and the nonprofit Oakland Turkey Trot.

For more information about the Oaktown Half, please visit the official event page.