About The Race
RUN, GIVE BACK & PARTY on Vancouver’s Waterfront!
Join us for the 11th Annual Couve Clover Run and celebrate in your festive green while running or walking 3, 7 or 10 miles along an extremely fast and scenic course to support local charities! We just added the LUCKY LEAP 1 mile walk – great for families or those wanting less mileage but do want a shirt, medal, food, beverages and FUN. There is also a 3 mile walk division which will be untimed so you can relax at your own pace. The post-event party will be off the charts and hosted by Why Racing Events and other downtown Vancouver Pubs & Breweries.
We believe this is one of the prettiest courses in the Northwest! We’ve designed the new 1 mile Lucky Leap course along with our 3 mile, Lucky 7 mile and 10 mile courses to take you through some of the most scenic areas of Vancouver and it really highlights our wonderful community including historic Officer’s Row, Fort Vancouver, the Columbian Riverfront, and more. The course is mostly flat with a couple of short hills.
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Check out how much fun we had at the 2023 Couve Clover Run!
Date & Time
03/23/2025
9:00 AM sharp – Please show up at 8:30 at the latest to get organized, enjoy all the pre-race entertainment and make sure we start on time.
Location Details
Vancouver Waterfront Park
695 Waterfront Way, Vancouver, WA 98660
Event Highlights & Post-event Festivities
Prize for Most Festive Costume so think GREEN!
Technical Runner’s t-shirt
Finisher’s Medal
Couve Clover Gloves
Finisher Pint Glass
Swag Bag full of awesome goodies!
Sense of accomplishment – Feels so good!
Packet Pickup Details
Registration package pick-up location changes so pay attention to the times and days listed below. If you are unable to pick up at any of the times listed below, please email us at registration@whyracingevents.com to make other arrangements.
Packet Pickup -
SATURDAY, MARCH 22nd - 10 AM to 6 PM - Foot Traffic Vancouver
305 SE Chkalov Dr., Vancouver, WA 98683
SUNDAY, MARCH 23rd 7 AM to 9 AM - Inside Hotel Indigo -2nd floor
550 Waterfront Way., Vancouver, WA 98660
Awards & Course Records
3 Mile:
2017 – Robert McLauchlan 15:22:34
2016 – Francine Neilampa 18:25
7 Mile:
2024 – Cooper Dollens – 40:29
2017 – Allison Wrightson 46:33:74
10 Mile:
2017 – Jason Griffiths 55:20:63
2023 –Alyssa Barrette 59:43
Every runner/walker is a winner in our eyes! But to reward the speedsters, here’s what we’ve come up with:
Awards for the Top 3 Overall Male & Female and Master Champions for all distances
Top 3 Age Group Winners in the following categories
9 and under, 10-14, 15-19yrs, 20-24yrs, 25-29yrs, 30-34yrs, 35-39yrs, 40-44yrs, 45-49yrs, 50-54yrs, 55-59yrs, 60-64yrs, 65-69yrs, 70-74yrs, 75-79yrs, 80+
There is not a Walking category for awards due to the inability to control adherence to walking only during the event.
Award Criteria:
If you choose to race in the Clydesdale (220+ pounds) or Athena (165+ pounds) categories, you are not eligible for Age Group awards. You must choose one or the other
Beneficiaries
The Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools was established in 1988 to support Vancouver Public Schools as a vision of Dr. Jim Parsley, the Superintendent of VPS from 1980 to 2002. Dr. Parsley saw what students came to school “without.” To help meet those needs, he established the Vancouver School District Foundation, the first K-12 educational foundation in the region.
The Evergreen School District Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Evergreen Public Schools. ESDF partners with our community to bridge the basic needs gap, foster innovative and engaging learning experiences and maximize opportunities to ensure that all students have access to a world-competitive education.
WHY COMMUNITY provides at-risk populations with the opportunity to register and cross the finish line of various runs and multi-sport events, ultimately boosting their self-esteem and belief that they can accomplish anything.
Partners
Exclusive Health & Wellness Partner
At PeaceHealth we carry on the healing mission of Jesus Christ by promoting personal and community health, relieving pain and suffering, and treating each person in a loving and caring way. At PeaceHealth, the fulfillment of our Mission is our shared purpose.
Exclusive Specialty Running Store
Foot Traffic has been locally owned and operated for over 18 years with 5 different locations including Freemont, Downtown Portland, Sellwood, Cedar Hills and Vancouver. Foot Traffic set out to be more than Oregon’s premiere running & walking shoe stores and was founded on the principle that a small business has a far more salient purpose than simply selling great running shoes, apparel & accessories. Their commitment is to the betterment of runners and walkers and the community. They definitely live their mission hosting free runs weekly at all their stores, directing three world-class running events, hosting numerous training clinics and donating to various local schools, teams and non-profits.
Exclusive Banking Partner & Photo Sponsor
At IQ Credit Union we serve local communities in SW Washington and are reachable across the entire nation. We’re like a bank. Only better!
Exclusive Partner
At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose – our goal to deliver top-tier financial performance while creating sustainable growth and shareholder value. In practice, Performance with Purpose means providing a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats; finding innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment and reduce our operating costs; providing a safe and inclusive workplace for our employees globally; and respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where we operate.
Visit their site
Exclusive Personal Training Partner
NWPT is passionately committed to their mission of changing people’s lives around the world by helping them adopt a more healthy and fit lifestyle so they look and feel their best. Their primary focus is to ensure their clients achieve the goals they have set for themselves. Nothing brings their trainers more joy than knowing they have positively impacted someone’s life.
Exclusive Vehicle Partner
At McCord’s Vancouver Toyota our mission is simple- offer the best possible product and provide an experience that matches that quality. Our slogan of “We Make it Easy” is something we aspire to for our employees and our customers. We know if we make it easy internally then our customers will benefit and receive that same easy experience.
We look forward to your visit!
Sponsors
Waste Connections of Washington, Inc. Since 1997, they have provided solid waste collection, transfer and recycling services for residents and businesses of Clark County, Washington. Waste Connections is proud to live in and serve the cities of Battle Ground, Camas, La Center, Ridgefield, Vancouver, Washougal, and Yacolt, as well as unincorporated and rural areas of Clark County.
At AMR our mission is to be patient focused, customer centered and caregiver inspired—making a difference by caring for people in need.
XTERRA Wetsuits strives to make your swim faster and more comfortable, and to offer you the highest performing triathlon wetsuit at the best value.
The Gatorade Company provides sports performance innovations designed to meet the needs of athletes at all competitive levels and across a broad range of sports. Backed by more than a 40 year history of studying the best athletes in the world and grounded in years of hydration and sports nutrition research at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, Gatorade provides scientifically formulated products to meet the sports fueling needs of athletes in all phases of athletic activity.
Twigs Bistro And Martini Bar – Serving chef-crafted American food and specialty cocktails in amazingly comfortable locales. Every Twigs is created with one goal… to provide an exceptional experience for our guests. We’re family owned and operated and most proud to support local suppliers for fresh produce and meats which are highlighted on our weekly fresh sheets.
Kolorkraze – For over a decade, we have been exceeding expectations by making local, cutting-edge promotional and informational materials easily accessible for residents of Vancouver, Washington and the surrounding areas. Building relationships through quick delivery and the ability to solve any printing-related challenge is our number one goal.
Kids Events
Kids 12 and under get to register for FREE and kids 13 ~ 17 receive 50% off on their registration!
FAQ’s
Can I register on Race Day? Can my friend pick up my packet?
Can I get a refund? Can I transfer my registration to another race or athlete? All registration and packet pickup related questions can be found under the main navigation heading titled “Registration & Packet Pickup”. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please email us at registration@whyracingevents.com
Are headsets, earbuds or any type of personal music device allowed in this race?
We prefer for athletes to NOT use music devices to maximize safety, assure a fair competitive environment and assure athletes can hear all course marshal instructions. With that said, we also understand that many athletes rely on music to help endure the challenge of running. To accommodate the needs of our athletes while still assuring maximum safety and a fair, competitive environment, here is the arrangement that we can accommodate.
• If you chose to use a personal music device, we ask that you always keep one ear open for instructions so only one ear-bud should be used at any time.
• We also request that if you chose to use a personal music device that you keep the volume to a minimum to assure all instructions can be heard.
Will you offer a Bag Check:
Yes! If you would like to leave items at the start/finish area, we will provide a Bag-check location near the registration table. We ask that you place your belongings in a bag with your first and last name and Bib # clearly taped to the outside of the bag so we can easily identify your bag. We will ask you to show your Bib # when you pick up your bag at the finish. Please understand that we can’t be responsible for your valuables so anything of value, please lock in your car.
Can I switch my t-shirt size?
Getting the shirt sizes accurate for all different body shapes and sizes is extremely difficult! Sometimes shirts run small and sometimes they run big but we often don’t know that until we have them in our hands. If the size of the ‘shirt’ you ordered does not fit, we will be hosting a ‘Shirt’ swap area at the Bag check after the race. We cannot guarantee you will be able to swap but will do our best to accommodate your need.
Can I use roller blades, a bike or skateboard?
Unfortunately, for liability reasons, no bikes, skateboards or rollerblades are allowed.
Will you offer Awards for Walkers-only?
We will not be able to provide awards for walkers due to the inability to control adherence to walking only during the event.
How many porta-potties will you have at the start/finish area?
- We’ve ordered Porta-potties for the start/finish! Hopefully, the lines will be minimal!
- Main Event, Union Chapel and other businesses along Main Street will also have bathrooms available for participants.
How many porta-potties will be on the Course?
Fortunately, there are plenty of bathroom opportunities along the course. We’ll post signs at each opportunity – typically at about every 2 mile
Where should my family go to cheer me along?
Good spots for your loved ones are:
- Beaches Restaurant (7 & 10 mile)
- Fort Vancouver Area (all races at the start)
- Officer’s Row (all races at the start)
- And of course, the finish line in front of Main Event
Just remind spectators to be careful if they are going to drive along the course to cheer you on at various locations. And also remind them to make awesome signs for you, bring their cowbells to help keep your energy up and flowers for the finish line!
Are Dogs allowed on course?
Unfortunately due to insurance requirements, only Service Dogs are allowed on course and must start at the end of the race after all other participants have started.
Are strollers allowed on course?
Yes, but due to insurance requirements, strollers must start at the end of the race after all other participants have started. With that said, 7 and 10 miles for the kiddos might be a little much especially if the weather is poor. Unless you don’t mind hearing “Mom/Dad, How much longer?” for a couple hours. Plus it might be a little dangerous for your fellow walkers and runners to try to maneuver around you because some of the areas overlap and the intersections can be a little tight! But if you want to run with a stroller, you can do the 3 mile course but just start at the very end to help make sure you don’t run into anyone. Your time won’t start until you pass over the timing mat so it won’t affect your race time too much.
Travel & Accommodations
Travel & Accommodations
There is so much to do in our beautiful city of Vancouver WA. Make it a full weekend and enjoy so much of what our city and the surrounding area has to offer.
View the following video for a glimpse of all there is to do in Vancouver WA. Plus Portland OR is literally right across the river so come for the weekend or stay a week or more and soak it all in!
For our out of town guests, if you are flying, you will need to schedule your flight arriving into Portland Oregon. The event start and finish and local hotels are a 20 minute uber/cab ride from the airport.
Book your Reservation here for special discounted rate*
Rates good through March 2, 2024
Even better than 3 the three main discount travel websites!
or
Call our front desk directly at (360) 816-0058
550 Waterfront Way, Vancouver, Washington, 98660, USA
Restaurants
Here’s a list of great local restaurants to help you carb up on Friday and Saturday night. Be sure to make reservations early!
Twigs Bistro & Martini Bar– One of our Event Sponsors and a local favorite!
Beaches – A local favorite spot with an amazing view!
Maryhill Winery Vancouver Tasting Room– An immersive tasting experience in Vancouver’s redeveloped waterfront district
WildFin American Grill – Watch the river roll by with Mt. Hood in the background as you enjoy casual waterfront dining at its best.
Stack 571 Burger & Whiskey Bar – “Fantastic burgers, great service, and darn good adult beverages!”
Kafiex Roasters Gastro Cafe – A specialty coffee shop and roastery on Waterfront Way
The Yard Milkshake Bar– Check out their Vancouver Waterfront location!
Airfield Estates Winery Vancouver Tasting Room – Visit their tasting room on Waterfont Way
McMenamins on the Columbia– Great food and beer with a stunning view of the Columbia River!
The Cove Restaurant– A hidden gem of a restaurant located on the east end of our 10 mile race course!
Training & Preparation
Ok, Step #1. Register! That puts purpose to your training and forces you to commit – an important part of getting to the finish line!
Sponsors & Exhibitors
Our athletes – triathletes, duathletes, runners, walkers, cyclists – are active, educated, middle to high income earners who are committed to their fitness while also supporting our community.
Volunteers
This event requires a ton of volunteers so if you can recruit friends, family, companies, churches, or sports teams to help that would be extremely helpful. They will get front row seats to all the action!