BPA had a powerful blue presence streaming through the Starlight Run in downtown Portland on June 2. Even with overcast skies, 160 employees turned out for the 3.1 mile fun run that precedes the Rose Festival's Starlight Parade. BPA had the second largest team in the Starlight Run, which attracted more than 5,000 people this year.

Employees and contract personnel from Portland, Vancouver and field locations took part, along with their family members. Administrator Steve Wright led the "River Runners" through the crowded streets in the form of a river to pay homage to the Columbia as part of BPA's 75th anniversary celebration. The BPA river of runners even had a salmon, thanks to Leilani Russell (wife of engineer Glenn Russel), who sewed a large stuffed salmon to her hat and followed the current to the finish line.

"There was so much enthusiasm at this Starlight Run, from our own runners to the co-workers, families, friends and general public along the way," says Scott Simms from Power Services. "These running events are always a blast, too, because you get to meet other BPA employees and experience a whole culture beyond your own work group."

"I was so excited to participate in the run this year with my family," says Kirsten Kler from Security and Continuity of Operations. "The spectators were so supportive all the way to the finish line. We must have high-fived a thousand people along the route."

The day after the race, Laura Oliver from Customer Service Engineering wore her freshly laundered River Runners shirt to the grocery store. "A couple came right up to me and started talking about the run," she says. "They asked what group I was in, and when I told them it was BPA, they smiled big and said, 'congratulations on your 75th anniversary.' They had heard that fact broadcasted during the run."

BPA's first Starlight Run team was assembled to mark the agency's 70th anniversary five years ago. "There was so much more interest and excitement around the event this year," says Tracy Paradis from Public Affairs, co-organizer of BPAs team for the Starlight Run. "We just have to do this again next year!"