Bill Bowerman Legacy Track and Field Clinic with World Class Coach-Harry Marra presented by Beynon Sports

MCTF Coaches Clinic with Harry Marra
February 26–28, 2027 · McKenzie Community Track & Field, Blue River, Oregon

We are excited to host a track and field coaches clinic led by renowned coach Harry Marra, longtime coach of two-time Olympic decathlon champion Ashton Eaton and 2016 World Athletics Coach of the Year.

The clinic grows out of a vision from Jon Bowerman, son of legendary Oregon coach Bill Bowerman: to give small-school coaches access to world-class coaching techniques. Coaches will receive personal mentorship from Marra on technique and form, then apply what they learned with a few athletes on the second day. That hands-on practice helps coaches turn new ideas into better performances right away.

We have added a component this year that brings Jeff Hess to the clinic.

Jeff Hess is one of Oregon’s most accomplished distance coaches, and was first one of its greatest runners: as a South Eugene senior in 1979, he ran 8:50.1 in the steeplechase at the Prefontaine Classic, a national high school record that stood for 35 years.

He began his coaching career at Glendale High School in Southern Oregon, where he developed multiple state champions in a small-school setting, including future NCAA champion and Olympic decathlete Tom Pappas. In 1999 he returned to his alma mater, South Eugene, and built one of the state’s premier distance programs, producing numerous individual and team state titles before stepping away in 2017.

After eight years away, Jeff returned in 2025 and made an immediate impact. Yosuke Shibata won back-to-back 6A individual state titles, and the Axe girls finished second at state in both 2025 and 2026. In 2026 the boys placed third, and his granddaughter, Evangeline Johnson Hess, finished second overall as a sophomore.

At the clinic, Jeff will share his insights into the challenges of developing a small-school team and how to transform it into one of the best programs in the state.

The weekend also includes a Positive Coaching Alliance workshop, a community dinner with Marra as featured speaker, and a Sunday morning community mile on the MCTF track. Lodging packages with local McKenzie River properties are available.

Schedule:

Friday:

Coaches social and special guest speakers

Saturday's clinic will feature Harry's approach to coaching...using the LEARN BY WATCHING approach

Dinner, Keynote and Social

Sunday

TBD-Days of Miles presented by Tracktown USA

Purchase Harry's Book and he will sign the book at the clinic.