Walking for Kobyn: A Journey to Honor, Connect, and Build Oregon’s Salmonberry Trail
 
On June 18, 2026, I began a 150-mile pilgrimage through Oregon’s coastal wilderness — not to walk a trail, but to bring it to life.
 
This journey is for Kobyn McClure
 
Kobyn’s story is a reminder of how deeply our lives are woven into the fabric of community. In his honor, I’m asking you to walk alongside us — both by supporting Kobyn’s family and victims and by fueling this mission to build a trail that strengthens rural Oregon for generations.
 
Why the Salmonberry Trail Matters Now
 
Trail running isn’t just a sport—it’s a $20 billion movement with 16 million Americans hitting dirt paths every year. Yet fewer than 2% have experienced an organized trail race. That gap is an opportunity: a chance to bring sustainable economic vitality to Oregon’s rural communities.
 
The Salmonberry Trail—a visionary 82-mile route from Portland’s edge to the Pacific Coast—sits at the heart of this moment. But for it to thrive, it needs visibility, stewardship, and voices.
 
Through Eco Racing Northwest, I’m pioneering a race series that commits 50% of net profits to the Salmonberry Trail Foundation and local community partners. This isn’t just about racing—it’s about reinvesting in the people and places that make this corridor extraordinary.
 
What This Walk Achieves 
 
This is a working journey:
 
• Documenting the trail corridor mile-by-mile with photos, stories, and safety notes
• Listening to farmers, business owners, and residents in Tillamook, Gales Creek, and beyond
• Building partnerships to ensure the Salmonberry Trail becomes a catalyst for community resilience
 
Over 500 miles across four months, every step honors Kobyn’s legacy while laying the groundwork for a trail that will welcome thousands of visitors, protect Oregon’s wilderness, and generate lasting economic opportunity.
 
You can follow me on Strava. Please note that I will not log every mile. This will serve as a way that you can follow me and know where I am: https://www.strava.com/athletes/90183209
 
How Your Support Powers This Mission 
 
Your gift of $25, $50, or $100 directly funds:
 
• Field logistics: Safe, efficient travel along the rugged corridor
• ️ Community stays: Lodging with local families and farms
• Storytelling: Equipment to capture the trail’s beauty and voices
• Sustenance: Nutrition for 20+ mile days in remote terrain
• Outreach: Materials to connect with communities
 
Goal: $5,250 (covers all field costs through October 18, 2026)
 
Every dollar stays on the ground—ensuring this walk delivers maximum impact for Kobyn’s memory and Oregon’s future.
 
Two Ways to Make a Difference 
 
1️⃣ Fuel this journey: Donate here to document and activate the Salmonberry Trail: https://gofund.me/518082c93
2️⃣ Support Kobyn’s family: Contribute directly to their campaign: https://gofund.me/34424141b
 
Together, we’re building more than a trail. We’re creating a legacy of connection, resilience, and hope.
 
Walk. Listen. Build. — For Kobyn.
 
Watch here for information about a gathering after the Silver Falls Trail Races, which will be held in Silver Falls, Oregon, October 16-18, 2026. I will make a presentation about my findings at that time.
 
— Ron MacKenzie, Founder of Eco Racing Northwest

Watch these videos to learn more about the proposed trail:

https://youtu.be/rhONq4YBsv0?si=LiZNEq8ASrHrXdi6

https://youtu.be/yKJfXrZq9ZY?si=QjYSd1zOwZ8sTBh7