Races Waiting For You!!! The Siskiyou OutBack and The Full Belly

Just a note to those aspiring to challenge themselves in some quality races in the near future.

The Siskiyou OutBack 50 and 15 Kilometer Trail Runs are quickly sneaking up on us. The tenth anniversary of the race will be held on July 12th. That's really not that too long from now...especially with how fast these races are filling. The races start up on Mount Ashland and take an awesome stroll along the Pacific Crest Trail and back. The quota for the 50K race will probably meet it's limit in a week or so. BUT for those who are a little more sane, but still want to experience the fun, the 15K version of the race has plenty of room! The race web site is here. To register for the 15K you must do so on Active.com. The race directors can be contacted at: sob@siskiyououtback.com

Here's another great opportunity to head out and support something important while working up a sweat. The Full Belly 5K Run takes place on Saturday May 17th at 8:30am at the Southern Oregon University Raider Stadium. The race will benefit Access, Inc, an organization that feeds the hungry locally in Jackson County. Every dollar donated to Access can provide six pounds of food, helping local people in need. Entries can be found at Rogue Valley Runners or at the SOU Involvement Center on SOU's campus. For information contact: Cerissa at (541) 552-6454 or at vista@sou.edu

Now, let's get out there and support our local running scene!

Taking That Leap

Well we have some bad news and we have some good news.

I just hate saying that, but I couldn't find any better words to describe the departure of one of our longest standing employees. Darcy, whom many of you know, moved up here from the bay area in 2006 is moving back to her old stomping grounds later next week.
She let us know that she wanted to follow some of her lifelong goals and pick up on a lot of what she left off on when she came up here. Notablely, her passion for triathalons and personal training. Anyone who knows her knows that she loves both areas of fitness and the comereaderie that comes with it. She has been a wealth of knowledge for our customers and those she met in Ashland. She will undoubtably continue to inspire people wherever she goes.



We are sad to see her leaving, but we know she'll be back to visit the area this summer. So Please stop by this week to bid her a fond farewell, and to see what she'll be up to, or just to wish her luck at her next Ironman.

Thanks for everthing Darcy, we're gonna miss you!

Catching up!

Well I thought this was rather appropriate considering the time that has past since the Joe King post. And congratulations again Joe, there are a miniscule amount of folks that can claim to be a world record holder at anything.

We made it through pear "32" in one piece, placing 3 or was that 4 Rogue Valley Runners in the top ten. Eric Skaggs took home top honors as the 1st Rogue Valley resident in 55:36 good enough for 4th place overall while Neil Olsen just took it all in stride to capture 7th place with a smoking 56:08. Hal Koerner and John Leuthold dug deep to finish in 57:00 with Hal crossing the line just behind John but in front of the chip time. How does that work? We may never know. Everyone will be glad to know that it hasn't stopped John from trash talking or from filing an appeal with the race management. Sorry John, but we had to out you.



Store employees Chris Rennaker (102:24), Ixel Sanchez(1:10:32), Ian Torrence (59:26), and Carly Varner (1:24:55) also completed the ten mile run with some 990 other folks. I must give a shout out to Jerry and Zellah Swartsley for putting on a 1st rate event. It was amazing to see so many people running and walking as well as supporting those on the course. We should have more events like the pear in the valley. A testament to their legacy for sure.

I want to go on the record, for those who haven't made in to the store since the middle of March, by saying that we have not moved down the street. I have watched people walk right by our door and into our second entrance, 1 door down wondering what happened to all the shoes. Well people, we have expanded 1,800 square feet and now have our store primed for running season. With the addition of Nike as well as a number of other vendors we needed to have more room and better dressing rooms for all out running/walking guys and gals. Alas we also have more space for shoe fitting and treadmill acessments. So please drop by and check out the new digs.








There are a few over due posts for later in the week so check back soon and don't forget to keep those feet floating!!!!!!

Pear's Here!

Here's an article in this morning's Mail Tribune about the race and it's top competitors. Two RVR'ers get mentioned!

See the full article HERE.

Joe King Goes to Boston

Joe King at this weekend's USATF Master's Championships.

Central Point's very own Joe King traveled to Boston, Mass last weekend to compete in the USA Track and Field Master's Championships. He had two races on his plate: the one mile and the 800 meters.

Joe finished the mile run on Saturday in 6:56.28. On Sunday he came back stronger in the 800 meters by finishing in 3:07.66.

So what's amazing about that? Well, Joe's 81 years young folks, and his 800 meter time was not only an American Record, but it was also a World Record. Joe broke Rune Bergman's (of Sweden) 1995 time of 3:08.88.

Congratulations Joe! You are an inspiration to us all!