What RVR accomplished in 2008...

Let's start with the top 2008 accomplishments for each of Rogue Valley Runners' employees:


Ixel Sanchez, 22
3/1/08 3000 meters @ the Artie Sullivan Invite, Southern Oregon University, 1st overall in 10:56.7
3/16/08 Shamrock'n Half Marathon, Sacramento, CA, 1:29:10.3, that time qualified her for the NAIA Championships
9/28/08 XTERRA National Trail Running Championships, 21K, Bend, OR, 1:33:31, 1st in 20-24 age division


Chris Rennaker, 32
1/19/08 Southern Oregon Fat Ass (SOFA) 50K, Galice, OR, 4:56, 1st Ultra finish
9/6/08 McKenzie River 50K, McKenzie Bridge, OR, 4:08:50, 11th, 50K personal record
10/11/08 Dick Collins Fire Trails 50 Mile, Oakland, CA, 7:39:33, 6th overall, 1st 50 miler


Darcy Kleiman, 31
Take It Outside Fitness Instructor
7/12/08 Siskiyou Outback 50K, Ashland, OR, 6:02:12, her 2nd Ultra finish
11/8/08 Lithia Loop Trail Marathon, Ashland, OR, 3:53:26, marathon personal record


Kyle Skaggs, 23
5/17/08 Jemez Mountain 50 Mile Trail Race, Los Alamos, NM, 8:08:15, 1st overall
7/11/08 Hardrock 100 Mile Endurance Run, Silverton, CO, 23:23:30, 1st, course record. See the infamous finish here.
12/6/08 The North Face Challenge 50 Mile Run, San Francisco, CA, 7:02:39, 4th overall


Erik Skaggs, 26
8/7/08 Ashland Hill Climb, Ashland, OR, 1:53:01, 1st overall
7/12/08 Siskiyou Outback 50K, Ashland, OR, 2nd
11/ /08 Quad Dipsea 27 Mile Trail Race, San Francisco, CA, 3:52:16, 1st, course record. See Erik dance on the Dipsea stairs here.


Ian Torrence, 36
7/18/08 Tahoe Rim Trail 100 Mile Endurance Run, Spooner Lake, NV, 21:53:10, 4th overall
9/6/08 McKenzie River 50K, McKenzie Bridge, OR, 3:44:48, 2nd overall
11/18/08 JFK 50 Mile Run, Boonsboro, MD, 6:34:57, 8th overall


Hal Koerner, 32
1/13/08 Redding Marathon, Redding, CA, 2:35:51, 1st overall, course record
9/13/08 Angeles Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run, Wrightwood, CA, 18:29:26, 1st overall
10/11/08 Dick Collins Fire Trails 50 Mile Run, Oakland, CA, 6:43:42, 1st overall

RVR also worked together as a Team at times. Team Rogue Valley Runners had several successful apperances in 2008.


8/27/08-9/3/08 Gortex Transrockies Run, a six stage race across Colorado, Max King and Erik Skaggs put together a victory as Team Nike/Rogue Valley Runners.


9/21/08 Northwest Mountain Running Championships, a steep, six-mile course on the slopes of Mt. Hood, OR, Team RVR won the team scored event. (Kyle and Erik Skaggs, Max King, Joe Gray, Ian Torrence)


11/15/08 Rogue Valley Relay Challenge, a 100 kilometer relay race across southern Oregon, Team RVR won in 5:42:51 and set a new course record. (Erik and Kyle Skaggs, Trevor Palmer, John Leuthold, Hal Koerner)

And, yes, even we went head to head, mano y mano, and more accurately, brother against brother...check that out here.

We hope your 2008 was as fruitful as ours. Here's looking forward to 2009! Happy Holidays everyone!

Rennaker's on the Cover!

Congratulations to Rogue Valley Runners' store employee Chris Rennaker for making it onto the cover of the 2009 TrailRunner Magazine's Race Issue. The photo was taken during 2008's running of the Dick Collins' Fire Trails 50 Mile Run. Chris finished the ultra in 7:39:33 in sixth place. Inside the issue is a follow-up story on the Fire Trails race with more pictures of the race's eventual winner, Rogue Valley Runners' store owner, Hal Koerner. Pick up this issue at RVR now!

A Huge Racing Weekend

Let's start on the Northern California coast. A week after Erik Skaggs blistered the course at the Quad Dipsea, several Rogue Valley Runners returned to the scene of the crime to attack yet another course run in the same area. The North Face Challenge is a 50-mile trail race that criss-crosses the steep hills and coastline just north of San Francisco. The race sold out as the best trail/ultra runners in the world converged on the race in hopes of winning part of the $30,000 prize purse, the largest ever in US ultrarunning history.

Kyle Skaggs dances through the rocks at The North Face Challenge. (photo by Jean Pommier)

RVR owner Hal Koerner and RVR employee Kyle Skaggs, battled up front all day long. In the end Kyle would finish fourth, about a minute behind third place (just missing prize money) and thirteen minutes off the leader, Matt Carpenter of Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon fame. Kyle finished in 7:02:39, eight minutes faster than Carpenter's time last year on the same course. Hal pushed hard early and came into issues late in the race, but still finished in 7:51:44, a respectable eleventh place finish.

Ashlander Jenn Shelton paced her good friend Susannah Beck (from Eugene) for the last twenty miles of the race. Beck finished second in the women's race.

In the 50 Kilometer edition, Ashland's Carly Varner would finish a strong 33rd out of 131 finishers in 6 hours and 38 minutes.

Full North Face race results can be found here.

Just to the east of the business in Marin County another big northern California event was happening. The California International Marathon was taking place. Phoenix's John Leuthold decided to throw his hat back into the marathon arena. He did so with bravado. Clocking a 2:42:15 John ran his fastest marathon ever and came away with second in his age group.

John Leuthold,with obvious post-marathon residual suffering, poses after his marathon finish.

Full CIM results can be found here.

Across the big Pacific Ocean, Bend's Max King, who won the recent Southern Oregon Runners Turkey Trot, was also battling for prestige and prize money. Hawaii was the setting for the inaugural XTERRA Trail Running World Championships. Having won the XTERRA Trail Running National Championships earlier this year in Bend, Oregon, Max was obliged to give the world championships a shot. The 21-kilometer course climbed 3,000 feet; not a fast course. Max was able to hold a six-minute per mile pace on the rugged trails, out distance second place by three minutes and win in a time of 1:18:23. Max collected $2,000 for his efforts and a great Hawaiian vacation.

Photos and results from the XTERRA event can be found here.

It's Official!

We found out this morning that Ashland, Oregon and the Lithia Loop Trail Marathon has become the setting for the 2009 and 2010 USA Track and Field National Trail Marathon Championships!

Mark your calendars now! On November 7th, 2009 we'll all be running with the best in the sport for bragging rights, a gold medal and a chance for prize money. Stay tuned for more information on the entry process and race details.

Erik Skaggs Settles a Score

Sometimes winning is just not enough.

After winning the 2007 edition of the Quad Dipsea, a 28.4-mile trail race that takes place in the Marin Headlands just north of San Francisco, Ashland, Oregon resident and Rogue Valley Runners employee Erik Skaggs still wasn't satisfied. You see, there was still one thing that bothered him: he had missed the course record by 30 seconds. Bound to rectify the situation, Erik set out in 2008 with one of his main running goals being vindication at the 2008 Quad Dipsea.

A study in effort. Skaggs lays it down.

With an impressive "stick-to-itness" that only manifests itself when you want something bad enough, Erik worked hard and focused his energies. Low and behold his work paid off! Erik not only became a repeat Champion at the Quad Dipsea, but he also eclipsed a course record that has stood for 16 years (held by infamous northern California runner Carl Anderson). Finishing in 3:52:16, only 13 seconds ahead of Anderson's record, Erik has cemented himself in the annals of ultrarunning history. The second place runner finished 23 minutes behind him!

Cresting one of the many climbs on the Quad Dipsea course.

Erik Skaggs passing through an aid station.

Ashlander Jenn Shelton also started the 2008 Quad Dipsea. Jenn dropped at the half way mark, while in the lead. Why? She was heard mumbling something like, "There was no way I was going to turn around and run up those darn steps again!"

Jenn Shelton found that half of the Quad Dipsea was good enough this day.

More photos can be found here. A short article can be found at the Marin Independent Journal.

2008 Oregon Mountain Running Series Wrap-Up

The final scoring for the 2008 La Sportiva/USA Track and Field Oregon Mountain Running Series have been tallied. The series revolved around four mountain running races in the state of Oregon; two of which took place in southern Oregon. The races were as follows (including race's date, distance and number of total finishers):

Applegate Lake, the setting for the Granite Man Mtn. Run.
June 7 - Granite Man Mountain Run - 10 miles (75 finishers)

Mount Ashland, from Ashland, OR.
August 2 - Mt. Ashland Hillclimb Run - 13 miles (178 finishers)

Mount Bachelor
August 30 - Sunrise to Summit - 3 miles (138 finishers)

Mt. Hood
September 21 - NW Mountain Running Championships - 6 miles (71 finishers)

Runners scored points based on their time as a percentage of the winner's overall time. The runners' top three times were used in calculating their overall points (300 points being the maximum score). In order to be eligible for the scoring runners had to be a registered member of USA Track and Field.

Here's a list of the series top runners from 2008. Look closely, you may recognize some southern Oregon runners.

Name ------ Age --- Age Group - Sex - TOTAL POINTS
Richard Bolt 38 0 - 39 (Open) M 289.51 (4 races)
Ian Torrence 35 0 - 39 (Open) M 275.71 (4 races)
Lisa Nye 39 0 - 39 (Open) F 170.14 (2 races)
Aaron Coe 25 0 - 39 (Open) M 169.31 (2 races)
Joe Gray 24 0 - 39 (Open) M 100.00 (1 race)
Max King 28 0 - 39 (Open) M 99.92 (1 race)
Tyler Walsh 18 0 - 39 (Open) M 90.79 (1 race)
Hal Koerner 32 0 - 39 (Open) M 89.71 (1 race)
Scott Jurek 34 0 - 39 (Open) M 89.47 (1 race)
Bob Jullian 40 40 - 49 M 88.79 (1 race)
Torrey Lindbo 35 0 - 39 (Open) M 81.96 (1 race)
Dean Giblin 43 40 - 49 M 80.05 (1 race)
David Jordan 40 40 - 49 M 79.20 (1 race)

Head over to Richard Bolt's USATF Mountain, Ultra & Trail Blog for more information on the 2008 series and for what's to come in 2009.

Rogue Valley Challenge

This past weekend a hardy crew of Rogue Valley Runners hit the roads for the Rogue Valley Challenge. The "Challenge" is essentially a 100K relay event that tours some of the beautiful back roads found in the Rogue Valley. The RVR team was comprised of five individuals (Trevor Palmer, John Leuthold, Hal Koerner, and the brothers Skaggs) who each ran four legs ranging in distance from 2.4 to 4.1 miles. Team RVR managed to finish in 5:42.51 establishing a solid standard for the new 100K course. Full results can be found at the Southern Oregon Runners website and additional photos shot by Andy Atkinson can be found here.

Javelina Jundred 100 Mile Trail Run

Not all stories end up the way you wish them to, but you learn from them and try again.

Talent's Todd Ragsdale and Central Point's Neil Olsen stepped into a realm of running that they had never experienced before. The two travelled to the desert southwest for the Javelina Jundred 100 Mile Trail Run. Set in the mountains northeast of Phoenix, Arizona, the course rolls along a path that passes through classic Sonoran Desert environs. Saguaro cactus, cholla, prickly pear and mesquite trees surround the runners as they wind their way around the multiple loop course. Todd and Neil both battled knee issues and mid-80 degree heat all day. Neither completed the 100 mile distance, but did, however, finish the 100 kilometer run. They came away with lessons learned and hard taught memories. They will, no doubt, be back soon to try the 100-mile distance once again.

Todd Ragsdale, dressed-up for the 100-miler's Halloween motif.

Neil Olsen, running in the desert's morning light.

Lithia Loop Trail Marathon Wrap-Up and Photos

Well, we have finally had a moment to catch our breath and unbury ourselves from the leftover and dirty aid station equipment here at Rogue Valley Runners. However, while that was happening, we've accumulated some photos and some links to some stories about our trail marathon last weekend.

Ten Interesting Lithia Loop Trail Marathon Facts and Tid-bits:
1) Seven of the top fifteen finishers were women!
2) 86 of 88 starters, finished! A 97.7% finisher rate!
3) We got real lucky with the weather. Rain started to fall only after the awards ceremony wrapped up.
4) 43 volunteers helped you get to the finish line. That's a volunteer for every two runners!
5) You didn't drink as much water as we had thought.
6) You liked the food at the finish and at the aid stations because we didn't have much left to deal with.
7) Most of you stayed for the awards, we thank you for your patience.
8) You came from Oregon, California, Washington, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and Ohio to run our event.
9) You're all good sports and fantastic runners. We thank you for your participation.
10) Make plans now for this race next year! We'll find out in early December if we've won the USA Track and Field Trail Marathon Championship bid.

Let's direct your attention first to the Mailtribune and a story Andy Atkinson wrote about the race. Go to the story and take a look at Andy's photo gallery as well.

Here's Krissy Moehl's account of her run in the Ashland Watershed. Krissy, from Bend, finished in 3:24:54 and 15th overall.

Here's Heather Daniel's account of her day on the trails. Heather, from Portland, finished in 3:36:28.

Here's a post from the Bend specialty running shoe store FootZone. It discusses their central Oregon running heros' results at the LLTM.

Sean Meissner, the second place finisher, wrote about his experience. Find this Sisters, Oregon resident's account here.

Off they go!

Sean Gordon works the radio at West Fork.

Home Sweet Home; West Fork Aid Station awaits runners.

Ashland's Kim Larson smiles. She finished in 4:37:51.

Yamhill, Oregon's Dean Heuberger is all arms. He finished in 5:36:35.

Jacksonville's Ali Miles (3:15:41) and Bend's Katie Caba (3:09:26) match each other's stride into Windburn Ridge Aid Station.

RVR employee Darcy Kleinman, 3:53:26, discussed her issues with RVR employee and Windburn Ridge Aid Station Captain Chris Rennaker.

Ashland's Jenn Shelton (3:13:24) refills at Windburn.

Medford's Adam Seibert (3:02:04) speeds through Windburn Aid Station.

Sister's Sean Meissner (2:53:09) looks for refreshment at Windburn.

Tailgate Party! Katie Schubert and Jenny Gunter have all the fixin's at Windburn Ridge Aid Station.

White Rabbit Aid Station; The Invasion of the Brits. Dog Tipper, Rob Cain (in the hat), Erin Keller and John Price inspire racer Sarah DeMulder (6:12:14) to the finish.

A special thanks to all the volunteers that made this event possible and to Lithia Motors for all there transportation help!

Until Next Year!!!

Full Lithia Loop Trail Marathon Results

Photos coming soon!!!

Lithia Loop Trail Marathon Preliminary Results

Full results will be posted very soon. Hang tight! Congratulations to all finishers!

The weather cooperated. Everything clicked and fun was had by all.

Top 3 Men:
1) Jeff Caba (2:47:31)
2) Sean Meissner (2:53:09)
3) Josh Brimhall (2:54:33)

Top 3 Women:
1) Susannah Beck (3:00:29) fourth overall
2) Katie Caba (3:09:26) seventh overall
3) Jenn Shelton (3:13:24) eighth overall

The New Ultrarunning Magazine Cover and the Lithia Loop Trail Marathon Odds

After ten years of running and countless victories at distances over the marathon distance Hal Koerner (owner and manager of Rogue Valley Runners) has received, perhaps, one of the most coveted honors for an ultramarathoner. Hal has finally made the cover of Ultrarunning Magazine. This is Hal on his way to his victory during September's Angeles Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run. Congratulations Hal!!!

Switching gears now...

Let's bring a little of Las Vegas to southern Oregon shall we? After countless hours of research and information gathering, odds for this weekend's Lithia Loop Trail Marathon have been posted on World Class Ultramarathoner Karl Meltzer's web site.  Follow this link to find out who's got a chance at winning the first ever marathon in Ashland, Oregon.

Lithia Loop Trail Marathon Entrants Updated

Here's an updated list of this weekend's participants. For those running this weekend, please see the previous blog posting discussing marathon day's final instructions. Good luck everyone!

Adam Cortell 36 M Talent, OR
Adam Seibert 39 M Medford, OR
Ali Miles 24 F Jacksonville, OR
Amy Nangle 38 F Talent, OR
Anne Crispino-Taylor 50 F Ashland, OR
Anne Hitchcock 30 F Auburn, CA
Ben Benjamin 61 M Ashland, OR
Beth Lori 47 F Ashland, OR
Bill Montgomery 48 M Eugene, OR
Bob Coll 47 M Eugene, OR
Brendan Holmes 29 M Klamath Falls, OR
Brian McKinley 22 M Flagstaff, AZ
Brooke Bouer 34 F Talent, OR
Bruce Mauldin 61 M Fort Jones, CA
C.B. Fralich 35 M Grants Pass, OR
C.J. Hitz 35 M Findlay, OH
Chad Harris 32 M Roseburg, OR
Chris Foster 42 M Medford, OR
Chris Rowe 39 M Newcastle, CA
Christian Fuller 33 M Dallas, OR
Clem LaCava 60 M Corvallis, OR
Courtney Mooney 32 M Philomath, OR
Courtney Pickett 40 F Ashland, OR
Dana Bandy 54 M Ashland, OR
Darcy Kleiman 31 F Talent, OR
Darrin Bolz 41 M Medford, OR
Dave Marshall 44 M Phoenix, OR
David Jordan 41 M Medford, OR
David Kamp 61 M Corvallis, OR
Dean Heuberger 57 M Yamhill, OR
Desiree Barnes 26 F Ashland, OR
Eric Dinger 34 M Medford, OR
Erin Fralich 38 M Grants Pass, OR
Frank Searfus 58 M Coos Bay, OR
Freeborn Mondello 29 M Talent, OR
Gerad Dean 31 M Bend, OR
Greg Burnett 58 M West Linn, OR
Grey Hecht 36 M Talent, OR
Heather Daniel 26 F Portland, OR
Hillary Noel 26 F Henderson, NV
J.C. Callans 41 M Eagle Point, OR
Jeff Caba 38 M Bend, OR
Jenn Shelton 24 F Ashland, OR
Jennifer Callans 35 F Eagle Point, OR
Jennifer Sallee 38 F Ashland, OR
Jinny Brown 55 F Ashland, OR
Joe Griffin 48 M Central Point, OR
Joe Mosley 54 M Eugene, OR
John Bott 50 M Eagle Point, OR
John Diehm 63 M Weed, CA
John Lotts 45 M Central Point, OR
Josh Brimhall 32 M Henderson, NV
Julie Peterson 53 F Ashland, OR
Justin Adams 34 M Portland, OR
Kaija Staley 33 F Jacksonville, OR
Katie Caba 37 F Bend, OR
Kelly Bradbury 38 F Smithfield, UT
Kelly Cronin 31 F Yosemite, CA
Kim Larson 37 F Ashland, OR
Kouba Sayre 37 F Talent, OR
Krissy Moehl 31 F Bend, OR
Krista Peterson 37 F Medford, OR
Leonard Farr 44 M Newburg, OR
Lisa Bach 42 F Ashland, OR
Lisa Dean 38 F Fort Jones, CA
Lisa Norvell 42 F Ashland, OR
Luanne Park 48 F Redding, CA
Luke Frechete 30 M Ashland, OR
Megan Heuberger 28 F Ashland, OR
Michael Scott 23 M Medford, OR
Michael Sotos 33 M Ashland, OR
Mike Richmond 50 M Ashland, OR
Molly Holzshu 35 F Ashland, OR
Nikki Dinger 32 F Medford, OR
Phil Finch 58 M Reedsport, OR
Priscilla Anderson 32 F Murphy, OR
Rene Millan 35 M Ashland, OR
Rich Blink 33 M Vacaville, CA
Richard Vander Stucken 69 M Torrance, CA
Rick Haase 63 M Shoreline, WA
Rob Reckard 37 M Grants Pass, OR
Sarah DeMulder 29 F Medford, OR
Sean Meissner M Sisters, OR
Shahid Ali 23 M Ashland, OR
Sharon Mosley 46 F Eugene, OR
Stan Potocki 52 M Ashland, OR
Stephen Hamilton 66 M Sunriver, OR
Stephen Itano 49 M Fairfield, CA
Steve Waxmonsky 34 M Ashland, OR
Steven Greuel 52 M Etna, CA
Susannah Beck 40 F Eugene, OR
Suzy Stone 38 F Talent, OR
Tamara Ellis 39 F Ashland, OR
Terri Libert 40 F Eugene, OR
Tina Ure 49 F Mt. Shasta, CA
Win Goodbody 41 M Portland, OR

Final Lithia Loop Trail Marathon Instructions

Dear Lithia Loop Entrants,

Hope your training has gone well and you're getting some much needed rest before Saturday's big test. Just checked AccuWeather and right now it looks like we'll have ideal conditions next Saturday with a high of 60, a low of 40 and partial sunshine. The experienced runner will tell you to come prepared for anything, however we will have an outstanding crew directing the marathon making sure everything goes smoothly so that all you have to worry about is getting across that finish line.

We have created a list of last minute reminders, however we want to make sure that everyone is aware of the shuttle service to the start. If, however, you do not wish to utilize the service you may be dropped off at the start at the south end of Lithia Park where Granite St. turns to gravel and intersects with Glenview Drive. We will also be happy to direct you there at registration.

1) Registration and packet pick-up starts at 6:45am at Rogue Valley Runners (161 East Main Street, Ashland, OR 97520) on race day morning (Saturday November 8th, 2008) and closes at 7:45am. Registration will also be held Friday November 7th from 10am to 7pm.
2) The Shuttle Service to the start will be available at the store at 7am-7:45am to drive entrants to the start line two uphill miles away at the top of Lithia Park. We encourage all entrants to use the shuttle service provided by Lithia Motors.
3) Please abide all parking sign regulations in Ashland. They do ticket if you extend your stay in a two or four hour spot.
4) Drop bags will be collected at the start line for warm-ups. Please no valuables in the bags and make sure they are clearly marked with your name. Drop bags will be waiting for you at Pioneer Hall, near the finish line of the race.
5) Cut Off Times will be enforced for your safety as well as the safety of our volunteers. There are two Cut-Off points in the race. At Four Corners (approximately mile 20) runners must be through by 2:30pm. At White Rabbit (approximately mile 23) runners must be through by 3:30pm. All runners who do not make the cut-offs will be brought back to the finish.
6) You MUST let race officials know if you plan to drop from the race. We need to account for all runners at the day's end. Missing runners will initiate the Emergency Response System.
7) Do not litter and do not short-cut the trails. You will be pulled from the race if you do.
8) Post race festivities, the award ceremony, catered food and beverage will be held at Pioneer Hall (73 Winburn Way) after you have finished the race. Upon crossing the finish line you will be directed there to collect your drop bags, eat, drink, socialize and warm-up.
9) Aid Stations will provide limited first aid supplies, water, a electrolyte drink (Gu2O), fruit (oranges or bananas), soft drinks (Coke, Mtn. Dew), potato chips, assorted sugar candies (like M&M's), some will have soup, some sandwiches (like PB&J or Turkey and Cheese), some, not all, will have Gu and Clif Shot. If you need something special, you should pack it yourself. We highly recommend that you carry at least one, if not two, water bottles.
10) Clearly display your bib number on your front side, so we can properly track you as you pass through aid stations.
11) We will be trying to track runners as they progress along the course at the finish line (located at the Band Shell in Lithia Park).
12) Aid Station volunteers are just that. They are here on their own time to help you. Treat them with respect and thank them as you roll through.

There will be age group awards for males and females 29 and under, 30-39, 40-49,50-59,60-69.

We look forward to seeing all your smiling faces Saturday morning.

Hal Koerner, RD
Ian Torrence, RD

RogueValleyRunners.com
(541) 201-0014

At present there are about eight remaining spots left for the marathon. They are going quickly.

Central Oregon, Central US, and Central Southwest

Vegas wasn't the only thing going on lately. During the past few weeks several other Rogue Valley Runners took it upon themselves to travel to races far from home.

John Leuthold

John Leuthold made the trip to Eugene to battle it out in a large masters' field at the Pre's Trail Cross-Country Challenge. John took the lead early in the Five Kilometer Masters/Seniors Race and won in a commanding 17:02; 22 seconds ahead of his closet rival.

Joe Griffin

Joe Griffin made his way a little further north to Corvallis and the Peavy Arboretum for the MacDonald Forest 15 Kilometer Trail Run. Joe placed 17th out of 275 runners in 1:06:05. That time placed Joe third in the masters division.

New Rogue Valley Runner store employee, Kyle Skaggs, travelled further than anyone else this past weekend. Kyle jumped a plane to Springfield, MO for the Dogwood Canyon 50 Kilometer Trail Race. Kyle tied for first with his good friend Tony Krupicka in 3:48:58. They happily split the $1000 in prize money.

Here a photo of Kyle (wearing green and looking down) and Tony (wearing black) from Travis Liles Blog report of the race.


And though it wasn't a race Jenn Shelton, after her win at the World of Hurt 50 Kilometer Trail Race, celebrated at the equinoctial epicenter of geology; The Grand Canyon. Here's a good picture of her performing the infamous Grand Canyon Leap as she traveled from the Colorado River and back.



Nice work everybody!

Hurtin' in Las Vegas

Morning sun on the first climb.

Hal Koerner wins again.

Hal Koerner makes it look easy on his way to victory.

Jenn Shelton cheers as she leads Jurek and Torrence over the first climb.

Carly Varner is all smiles on her way to prize money.

Far from the bright lit, sky-scraping, air-conditioned casinos is a place called Bootleg Canyon. You can see The Las Vegas Strip from Bootleg, but as this band of Rogue Valley Runners experienced first hand, it's a far cry from the plush hotel rooms that await most visitors when they arrive in southern Nevada's Sin City.

The objective was a race called the World of Hurt. The race lived up to it's name. Thirty-four miles of rocky, volcanic, technical single track. For those who were smarter, a 25 Kilometer loop was offered. The Mojave Desert heat added to the difficulty of the event. Temperatures would reach 85 degrees, and without any vegetation higher than your knees, shade would become a long lost dream.

In the women's 34-mile event, Jenn Shelton and Carly Varner, both from Ashland, would tackle the course with success. In fact, they would be the only lady finishers for the distance. That earned them $500 and $300 respectively in prize money.

In the men's 34-mile race a small, but competitive field gathered. Ashland's Hal Koerner, RVR store owner and last year's World of Hurt winner, would attempt to defend his title. Trying to unseat the thrown sitter were last year's runner-up, Josh Brimhall, Seattle's Scott Jurek, Colorado's Justin Ricks and Ashland resident and RVR employee Ian Torrence.

After the dust had cleared Koerner retained his crown, earned $500 in prize money and watched as most of the competition fell to the wayside during the second lap of the race. Jurek would continue to hang in for third place.

Scott Jurek leads Ian Torrence on a rocky section during the first lap.

Maria Clementi runs the 25K.

The Group. (standing l to r) Race Director Eric Herdman, Josh Brimhall, Scott Jurek, Hillary Noel, Hal Koerner, Carly Varner, Jenn Shelton (kneeling l to r) Maria Clementi, Ian Torrence

Full race results can be found here.

A special thanks to Tarl and Carrie Norman for most of the photography.