Sunday's Forecast Temperatures Could Break All-Time Records In Willamette Valley

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

The weekend is shaping up to be historically hot in the Northwest and the final four days of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials are going to take place right in the middle of it. 

USATF announced several important scheduling changes on Wednesday to protect athletes from the searing heat that is due to arrive on Friday. 

According to Weather.com, Eugene will see a high of 94 on Friday, 102 on Saturday and 111 on Sunday -- the final three days of the Trials at Hayward Field. 

The temperatures are likely to remain in the 90s the week following, which means it will also be hot at The Outdoor Nationals, presented by Nike -- the national high school track and field championships -- also at Hayward Field. 

This weekend, the 20-kilometer race walks have been moved two hours earlier. The men begin at 7 a.m. instead of 9 and the women start at 7:01 a.m. That event is being contested in nearby Springfield. 

The women's 10,000 meters will be run in one section at 10 a.m. on Saturday. 

The men's 5,000 meters final will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Even then, temperatures could be approaching 90 degrees. 

Sunday's final four events -- the women's 400-meter hurdles, the women's 800, the men's 1,500 and the men's 200 -- could take place in heat over 110 degrees. 

The free park and ride shuttle from the Valley River Center will begin operating at 9 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, and the gates at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon will open to spectators at 9:00 am on both mornings as well. A valid ticket for the day’s session will be required to watch the races. 

Spectators will be permitted to exit the secure perimeter after the races, but they will need to receive a hand stamp as they are leaving in order to be able to return later in the day. A hand stamp and a ticket are required for re-entry later in the day.