Fourth of July Racing in Ashland, Oregon

Seems like everyone came out for this run! Almost 700 runners for both the six and two-mile races! An incredible turn out! The race has been around for long time and is steadily gaining in popularity. Here's an excerpt taken from the race's info page on Facebook.

"This event was first competed on 4th July 1977, and was called the “Senators Cup Run.” The event started at Triangle Park, near Ashland High School on Siskiyou Boulevard, and included a 6-Mile Run and a bicycle race. In 1978 the start/finish was moved toward downtown Ashland, and the name of the event changed to the “Fourth of July Run”. The event has always had a 6-Mile Run, but its accompanying 2-Mile (1984-1991, 1999-present) or 1-Mile (1992-1998) has changed depending on which year. The bicycle race accompanying the original event was dropped in the mid-1980s. 2009 had a little under 700 runners participate, representing 18 states and Canada as their places of residence. The 2008 race witnessed 573 total participants. There were 481 participants in 2007 and 485 in 2006."

Erik Skaggs runs hard to the finish tape on East Main Street in downtown Ashland. Skaggs captured second place in the six mile race. He finished in 32:30, 20 seconds behind the winner, Portland's Tim Julian.

RVR's Chris Rennaker hammering home. Renn overcame a tight hip issue that slowed him at the four mile mark to finish in 37:08.

Leland Fulton, Rogue Valley Runner's newest store employee, strides in the final stretch. Leland found the course to be challenging and "...really hot."

RVR runner and store employee Ian Torrence finished the hilly course in 36:20. The hamstrings are tight now!

Bob Julian Jr. kicking old style with the bandanna. Bob rounded out the top ten in an impressive field and crossed the line in 34:29.

Western States 100 Mile winner, Hal Koerner, ran the race as well. It was his first running strides since he finished Western States last weekend. He was overheard saying that he's had better runs, but it felt good being a part of Ashland's largest running race.

Check out theMailtribune's article about the race.

Full Fourth Of July Race Results found here.

Andy Atkinson's photos of the races can be found at the Mailtribune.