Bloomsday

Behind every runner, stroller-pusher, and sidewalk-cheerer, there’s a parent who showed us what it means to keep going.

On National Parents Day, we want to share a heartfelt thank you to all the parents, guardians, and father/mother figures in our community. From early morning wake-ups and endless encouragement to teaching us how to take our very first steps (and miles!), thank you for every sacrifice, big and small.

Today, we celebrate you and the unwavering love and support you give every single day. 💙

📸 Drop a photo in the comments of a parent who inspires you or your favorite family race-day memory!

PRRO Circuit Championship weekend is here!

Congratulations and good luck to Kassie Parker and Reid Buchanan, our 2026 Lilac Bloomsday Run champions, as they compete in the PRRO Circuit Championship at the Quad-City Times Bix 7 this Saturday.

After their Bloomsday victories in May, both athletes qualified to race for the $10,000 PRRO Super Bonus against one of the strongest fields in American road racing.

We’ll be following the action and cheering them on every step of the way. Good luck, Reid and Kassie!

The deadline is quickly approaching! There are only 10 days remaining to submit your organization's application for the 2027 Lilac Bloomsday Run Charity of Choice.

Each year, we are incredibly honored to partner with a local non-profit to help elevate their mission, raise awareness, and support the vital work they do throughout the Inland Northwest. If your organization is looking for a unique, highly visible, and impactful community partnership during our upcoming season, now is the time to reach out.

Please share this post with any community leaders, colleagues, or non-profit directors who might be interested in this opportunity. We would love to see you all apply so we can learn more about the outstanding work happening in our region.

For complete partnership details and to access the application, please visit: https://bloomsdayrun.org/charity/

The running fashion has certainly transformed over the past few decades, but the most important habits of a healthy runner remain entirely unchanged.

Whether you were hitting the pavement in the 1980s or training for our historic 50th run in 2026, proper stretching is essential for longevity in the sport (and in life!). Taking the time to warm up and cool down improves your flexibility, increases vital blood flow to your muscles, and significantly reduces your risk of injury.

Let these photos serve as your official reminder to take care of your muscles this week! What is your absolute favorite stretch after a long run? Let us know in the comments below!

How many barricades does it actually take to safely secure a 12-kilometer course through the heart of Spokane? The answer is likely far more than you might expect.

Behind the scenes of Bloomsday, there is a tremendous amount of logistical planning that goes into race weekend. From coordinating site access with our downtown partners and city facilities teams to staging miles of barricades and water stations, transforming our city streets into a world-class race course is a massive undertaking.

We are incredibly grateful for the dedication of our operations crew, volunteers, and municipal partners who work tirelessly to ensure a safe and spectacular race day for everyone.

We've witnessed remarkable changes over the past five decades, and one of those is the evolution of running attire. Pictured in our first slide is the official poster from the 1980 Bloomsday Run, capturing the classic styles that defined the era: cotton t-shirts, bold colors, and the iconic short running shorts.

Today, our participants take on the 12-kilometer course in advanced moisture-wicking fabrics and high-tech footwear. However, while the fashion has certainly evolved, the enduring spirit, determination, and joy of the Spokane running community remain exactly the same.

Did you participate in the early years of Bloomsday? We would love to hear about the running gear you relied on back in the 1980s. Please share your memories in the comments below!

From energetic rock bands to lively brass ensembles, the incredibly talented local musicians lining our 12-kilometer course provide the rhythm that keeps Spokane moving forward.

They do more than just play music; they transform a rigorous physical challenge into a true party every step of the way. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the "Bands of Bloomsday" for their dedication, their talent, and for making the 50th running such an unforgettable community celebration.

Did you have a favorite musical performance along the course this year? Let us know in the comments below!

From the vibrant gear on the course to the amazing crowd that joins us every year, the spirit of togetherness is what makes Bloomsday so special.

An event of this scale only shines because of the incredible unity of our community. Whether you are hitting the pavement to run your heart out, rolling through the miles in the wheelchair division, or cheering loudly from a volunteer station, your unique energy is what brings this Spokane tradition to life.

We love looking out across the streets and seeing the incredible mosaic of people who make this event an unforgettable landmark year after year. It is a beautiful reminder that our strength and legacy belong to everyone who participates. Thank you for keeping our community spirit shining bright!