Lithia Loop Marathon Application, Course Map and Elevation Profile

Here it is folks! What you've all been waiting for; the entry application for the Lithia Loop Trail Marathon! Print it off and send it in. Here's another view of the course and a good look at the course's elevation profile; 4,300 feet of gain.

Mt. Ashland Hillclimb Needs Volunteers

The Mt. Ashland Hillclimb is set for Saturday August 2nd. It is Ashland Woodlands and Trails Association's main fundraiser for the year and is a major reason why they are able to function without collecting dues. Last year they received over $2,000 from this event.

Every year since AWTA's involvement the Hillclimb has grown in size. Starting this year they've capped attendance at 250, a doubling of entries in two years. Although they're needs for volunteers hasn't doubled it has certainly grown. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

They're main needs are at the start (near the Plaza in Lithia Park) at 6:00 am, at the finish (top of Mt. Ashland!) at 9:00 am and at Mt. Ashland Lodge at 9:00 am. They also desperately need a couple of drivers with large capacity cars/mini vans,etc. that could shuttle runners down to the Lodge from the top of MT. Ashland. (They'd provide some funds for gas!) In total they need between 15 and 20 people.

If you could help out please email Rob Cain at robrcain@yahoo.com with any specific requests and questions.

Records Tumble at Siskiyou OutBack

SOB's Start/Finish Line

Skaggs leads King early in the race.

A week out from the Olympic Trials held in Eugene, Oregon, Max King traveled south for some long distance training, or, ah, er, um, racing. But he wasn't alone. In the wind tunnel he formed high along the Pacific Crest Trail near the Oregon/California border, several other runners took advantage of a fast field to post some of the most spectacular racing S.O.B. has ever seen.
King pauses for refreshments.

King, 28, set a new course record in 3:42:36. King ran the first half of the race with Ashlander, Erik Skaggs, who also bettered the old course record, set by Erik Solof in 2005, by posting a 3:47:23. Hal Koerner, also of Ashland and the owner of Rogue Valley Runners, turned in a fantastic third place finish, also under the old course record, by crossing the finishing tape below Mount Ashland's summit in 3:58:46.
Erik Skaggs, "Where's the ice!"

Women's winner Kami Semick.

In the women's race, Kami Semik,42, of Bend, Oregon, lopped a huge chunk of time off (almost 13 minutes) Meghan Arbogast's course record by finishing sixth overall in 4:11:53. Darla Brader, also of Bend, and Jenn Shelton, of Ashland battled it out for second. Brader out distanced Shelton by six minutes by the end.
Jenn Shelton leads Brian McGuire.

In the 15K, Chris McIssac, from Olympia, WA, finished first in under an hour in 59:42. Laura Raber, from Eagle Point, OR finished first in the ladies race and 11th overall in 1:14:10.

Todd Ragsdale follows Eric Poole en route to strong 50K finishes.

Though the smoke from the California fires produced a red-orange sunrise and temperatures in the Rogue Valley reached 100 degrees: runners, race staff and volunteers kept their cool. 116 runners finished the 50K and 149 finished the 15K edition. Congratulations to all!
Follow the Train!
"Too Fast" Aria Hemphill in the 15K.

An excellent write up of the event can be found at this Mail Tribune website.

Full results for both the 50K and 15K can be found at the SOB website.

Thanks to Chris Rennaker for the photos.

Siskiyou OutBack 15 Kilometer and 50 Kilometer Trail Run

Eric Poole runs along the SOB course. Photo taken by Denise Barata.

Rogue Valley Runners wants to wish all those running in and volunteering at the Siskiyou OutBack 15K and 50K this weekend a hearty good luck! Have fun on those trails!

Take a look at this excellent pre-race write-up (with photos) in this morning's Mail Tribune.