Best of 2005

Kudos to all the multivariate events, trainers, shops and clubs that scored top positions in City Sports Northwests' best of 2005. This year saw ...

Kudos to all the multivariate events, trainers, shops and clubs that scored top positions in City Sports Northwests' best of 2005. This year saw a record number of votes and some hotly contested categories. Without further ado, here are your top choices.

Active Lifestyle Vehicle

Subaru

There’s no end in sight to the love affair that Northwest athletes have with their Subarus. The Outback was a clear winner in our annual poll. But watch your back, Subaru—the Honda Element and its boxy design has many, many fans.

All-Women's Event

Portland: Hippie Chick 1/2 Marathon

Seattle: Danskin Women’s Triathlon

It’s a repeat win for both of these quality events. When events are referred to by a single name, you know that they’re special, and both “Hippie” and “Danskin” qualify.

Coffee House

Starbucks

The pain we felt last year continues. World leader Starbucks still reigns supreme in the world of coffee shops. But you heard our plea to vote for your favorite neighborhood shops—a shout out to Portland’s Stumptown on Belmont and Seattle’s Zoka.

Running Store

Portland: Portland Running Company

Seattle: Seattle Running Company

In what has become the hottest voting category, Seattle and Portland both appear to be a “company town.” Capital Hill’s SRC is THE place for trail runners, but don’t overlook their complete line of active footwear. PRC, with two locations, benefits from an exceptional staff and a dedicated customer base.

Adventure Race

Wicked Adventure Racing

Unseating the perennial category winner Trioba, Wicked Adventure Racing and its innovative four-race series makes its debut on the Best of the Northwest list. Wicked’s challenging October “Ocean” race held on the Oregon coast was specifically noted by voters.

Place To Go For A Smoothie

Jamba Juice

Now an incredible four-time winner, Jamba Juice exerts its dominance once again in the smoothie category, running on a platform of healthy fruit drinks in every cup. A nod to Emerald City Smoothie in Seattle for capturing a notable number of votes.

Half Marathon

Portland: Helvetia 1/2 Marathon

Seattle: Harris Direct Seattle 1/2 Marathon

Votes were all over the board this year in the 13.1-mile race category. But when the dust settled, these two events came out on top, repeating their ’04 victories. Honorable mention goes to the Foot Traffic Flat Half (Portland) and the springtime Mercer Island Half (Seattle).

Bike Shop

Portland: River City Bicycles

Seattle: Gregg’s Greenlake

Honorable Mention: Cyclepath & Bike Gallery (Portland); Recycled Cycles (Seattle)

Do the little guys get any respect? Hardly! Industry big guys take the honors, with Gregg’s repeating last year’s victory. Cyclepath (again) ties with Bike Gallery for honorable mention in Portland and Recycled Cycles gets recognized in Seattle.

Cycling Event

Portland: Cross Crusade

Seattle: STP

STP. It sounds like a motor oil brand, but even race car fans in the Northwest know that it’s the epic 200-mile two-day cycling event from Seattle to Portland (which some speedsters ride in a day). And the Cross Crusade? It’s cyclocross riding on an entirely new level, with each event breaking previous attendance records. Cyclocross? Think mud + cycling + brief periods of running with your bike slung over your shoulder while jumping obstacles. What’s not to love?

Event T-Shirt

Portland: Nike Run Hit Wonder

Seattle: Fall City Days Fun Run

Fashion meets function: The Nike Run Hit Wonder technical tees were orange this year, making the streets of Portland look like a Sunkist convention. A surprise winner for the favorite Puget Sound T-shirt: The Fall City Days Fun Run and its whimsical pink and gray cartoonish fish shirt was a big hit.

5K/10K

Portland: Pints To Pasta

Seattle: St. Patrick’s Day Dash

Beer and spaghetti—they’re two of a runner’s best friends, and served up with a smile at Portland’s popular Pints To Pasta (the category’s repeat winner), run on a unique, fast point-to-point course. Continuing the beer theme, Seattle’s St. Patty’s Day race is the perfect kick-off to the running season. Runners were passionate in their support of this event in the voting.