Finally!

Hal Koerner of Ashland, Ore. crosses the middle fork of the American River Saturday afternoon during the Western States Endurance Run. He led within the first climb at Squaw Valley all the way to the finish at Placer High's Le Febvre Stadium. Photo by Michael Kirby/Auburn Journal
Determined to run his own race Saturday, Hal Koerner made sure he didn't have any footsteps to follow.
The 31-year-old from Ashland, Ore. darted up Emigrant Pass from the start at Squaw Valley and didn't look back until the finish line at Auburn's Le Febvre Stadium. He led virtually the entire way to win the 34th Western States Endurance Run in his sixth try.
"I knew there were so many talented guys and gals here today and I wanted to run my own race," Koerner said. "I knew if I got out a little further (in front), no one else could dictate what my pace would be. Usually if I run behind other people, things don't go so well."
Things went beautifully for Koerner on Saturday. He finished the 100-mile trek in 16 hours, 12 minutes and 15 seconds, crossing the finish line at 9:12 p.m.
Folsom's Erik Skaden chugged across the finish line in 16:37:01 and was the runner-up for the second straight year.
Koerner took third overall in 2004 and was ninth in 2003, but never felt as good as he did Saturday, when relatively mild temperatures in the canyons and no snow at the start of the race made for excellent running conditions.
Koerner set a brutally fast pace early, cruising through the Robinson Flat aid station at 9:30 a.m., 15 minutes ahead of Lon Freeman, who dropped out some 50 miles later at Auburn Lake Trails.
Skaden slid into second place between Foresthill and the Rucky Chucky River Crossing, followed closely by Phil Kochik, who finished fifth. The Folsom runner, who won the American River 50 in April, said he struggled in the middle of the race in the heat of the day, but was able to pull through.
"The Deadwood and El Dorado - it was warmer than I anticipated," Skaden said. "It was nothing compared to last year." Skaden referred to the soaring temperatures in 2006 that led to leader Brian Morrison collapsing less than 400 yards from the finish line. His crew physically aided him to the finish and he was disqualified. Graham Cooper, last year's WS champion, took third on Saturday, followed by Andy Jones-Wilkins and Kochik.
In the race for the women's title, defending champion Nikki Kimball had a sizeable lead at press time Saturday night, nearly an hour ahead of second place runner Beverly Anderson-Abbs. It would be Kimball's third victory in four years.
Koerner won the prestigious Angeles Crest 100 in Arcadia last July, but considers the Western States victory his crowning achievement in eight years of endurance running.
"I've done a lot of runs, but no other race brings together the caliber of runners that this one does. No other race is even close," Koerner said. "To be out here on this course with all the variables and then to run 100 miles, this here is pretty huge."
Many along the trail believed Koerner's strategy might come back to haunt him once the heat of the day set in, but the owner of Rogue Valley Runners in Ashland was never threatened.
"I thought if I could get as much of a lead by 80 miles, then I could have a little cushion for the last 20," Koerner said. "It was a cool day, so I figured I had to get as much out of the way as I could before it got hot."
Koerner was not a runner in high school, preferring to play basketball as a youth growing up in Colorado. He got into endurance running at age 23 and quickly emerged as a star.
His mother Diane Koerner said her nerves were still on edge even after her son crossed the finish line as the champion.
"I've been here when he was hooked up to an IV at the end and had to drop at mile 89," she said. "I've been through some bad times, so this is definitely a happy ending. Relatives, friends and everybody asks why? But we've crewed maybe 27 of his races and you get here and you just get caught up in it. This ultrarunning community is fantastic. It's just a great sport."

PCT Presentation

Ashland Run

The time has come once again for the annual Ashland Run. The course winds through downtown Ashland, up the hills and down around Lithia Park. It should not be missed. In year's past the run had an outrageous cover charge, however this year the run is FREE with prizes donated by Rogue Valley Runners and various other local proprietors

Full Belly 5k

Alright everbody, this race is for those full bellies that are still hungry. If your in need of a flat and fast 5k in Ashland(is that possible?) then you need to be down at SOU Raider Stadium Saturday May 19th at 8:30. Registration is ongoing at Rogue Valley Runners and will be available 7-8am on race day. This would be a great opportunity to help support the students at SOU while having a great time. Walkers and runners will be rewarded with cool sounds, good food and t-shirts while they last. Any questions give RVR a call 541-201-0014.

Zane Grey 50 Thoughts ( From Montrail Blog )

(Pictures: Josh with the essentials....IV and RC Cola, Ian contemplating what it all means and Hal Finishing)





1. Payson is hot.

2. Skunk odor can linger for weeks……even months.



3. Never eat a meal known as the “Quesadilla Explosion” the night before a race.



4. Hal Koerner CAN dance…..seriously.

5. “That’s what I am talking ‘bout” –Howdy-…..if you were there you understand.



The Zane Grey 50 lived up to its reputation as one of the toughest 50 milers as the extreme heat and rocky trails took a serious physical and mental toll on the 2007 field. Most of the runners I observed crossing the finish line appeared to be suffering from varying states of dehydration and delirium. In the end, Kyle managed to take first with friends Josh Brimhall and Hal Koerner rounding out the top three. Overall, the weekend was filled with good friends, both old and new, and many good times.

Pear "31"

Well it was only the most rain in the history of the PB, but amazingly enough it didn't stop everyone from having an otherwise great run! Rogue Valley Runners Neil Olsen (56:14), Todd Ragsdale (57:32), Hal Koerner (57:41), and John Leuthold (57:46) all finished in the top 10 while Ashland High coach Bob Julian (54:24) earned top valley runner status finishing 3rd. Store employee Chris Rennaker (1:06:46) set a new pr in the atrocious conditions as did Carly Varner (1:23:02). Congrats to all finishers, it wasn't easy.

500th Hash!

" Local running notable, Hal Koerner opened the doors to the new running store(Rogue Valley Runners), which had beer and M&M's on the back porch proving that serious runners use it to hydrate and eat candy."

Over 500 hash runs for our little town, I find it amazing that these guys and gals can remember to put on such an extravagaza after all that drinking!

I succumbed to the new shoe rule! As a visitor to the hash, and having what appeared to be "new" shoes I had to use them as my keg cup. I guess I can admit that they mad me "tea bag" them with my sock, ughh.

I can't wait til tuesdays this summer to catch up with the hashers and take part in what has become an Ashland landmark.

Running on the Sun

I was back in the desert for the first time in a long time to take care of some unfinished business. South of Tucson and north of Nogales, in the Coronado National Forest among the Santa Rita mountains and a bunch of dust lies 50 miles of trails set to punish even the most hardened ultra runner. Last year, my half-hearted effort and beat up body pushed through the course in just under 8 hours having only sniffed first place at the crack of the starting pistol.

The race began under stars and a startling chill but, in the land of the rising sun I quickly found myself chasing the ghost of Brandon Sybrowsky as my closest competitors began to wither. It was no wonder I couldn't find him, as the noon day sun and the temps began to rise, the sun shown brightly and I had to squint. Although I was 2 minutes up on his CR at mile 40, I faded in the rays to finish 7:15. A little redemption from last years woes and now I am looking forward to getting the chance to place first in Arizona's two premier 50 milers as the Zane Grey 50 looms on the horizon later this month.

2006 Ultrarunner of the Year

Nice to finally break into the top 5. First time that I can remember that the top 5 were all trail ultra runners from the West.


2006 UltraRunning Magazine's Runners of the Year
(first-place votes in parentheses)

Men
1. Karl Meltzer, 38, UT (7) 154
2. Scott Jurek, 32, WA (7) 150
3. Jorge Pacheco, 39, CA (1) 98
4. Phil Kochik, 28, WA 71
5. Hal Koerner, 30, OR 56
6. Howard Nippert, 41, VA 53
7. Eric Grossman, 38, KY 51
8. Leigh Schmitt, 33, MA 40
9. Bob Sweeney, 39, NY 30
10. Graham Cooper, 36, CA 27
Josh Brimhall, 31, NV 27

Performance of the Year
1. Scott Jurek's Spartathlon 255 Km, 22:52:18 (10) 54
2. Howard Nippert's World 100 Km, 6:52:56 (2) 50
3. Jorge Pacheco's Rocky Raccoon 100 Mile, 13:16:56 31
4. Greg Crowther's Sunmart 50 Mile, 5:37:37 (1) 13
5. Anton Krupicka's Leadville 100 Mile, 17:01:56 11

Women
1. Anne Lundblad, 40, NC (9) 160
2. Nikki Kimball, 35, MT (6) 154
3. Kami Semick, 40, OR 110
4. Beverly Anderson-Abbs, 42, CA 101
5. Connie Gardner, 42, OH 73
6. Darcy Africa, 31, CO 61
7. Krissy Moehl, 29, WA 59
8. Julie Udchacon, 36, AK 27
9. Carolyn Smith, 41, WI 20
10. Sue Johnston, 41, CA 16

Performance of the Year
1. Anne Lundblad's World 100 Km, 7:47:18 (13) 73
2. Kami Semick's World 100 Km, 7:56:19 34
3. Nikki Kimball's Western States 100 Mile, 19:26:51 (1) 26
4. Beverly Anderson-Abbs Vermont 100 Mile, 16:52:33 16
Carolyn Smith's Ultracentric 24 Hour, 139.2 Miles 16

Hot times at the Redding Marathon

This weekend I decided it was time to shed some of the pounds I had accumulated from last weeks Bad Ass 50k in Bend and hit the pavement for some real leg turnover. Seriously, I knew it was time to run a little out of my comfort zone, by that I mean, a little faster than I had been pushing myself lately. The Redding Marathon served it all up. I saw a lot of familiar faces at the starting line including Beverly Anderson-Abbs, who has won the race outright a couple of time. Peter Warda, another Ashland resident, also made the trip down after running both the Portland and Humbolt marathons back in October. He was a little worried about his level of training but knew that he had gained a lot of strength and experience from his previous outings. I assured him we had nothing to worry about, easy enough to say when your body is filled with all that pre-race adrenaline!

I started out the marathon like a crazed 5k runner. It helped that I had a relay runner spurring me on as we screamed down from our start on the dam to the Sacramento river clocking 5 minute miles for the first 3 miles. Our tempo eased off a bit as we made our way onto the rails to trails footpath that follows the river down the canyon for what seemed forever, altogether it was probably more like 7 miles. After 10 miles I was running close to race pace, 59 minutes. The next 3 miles contained a good bit of elevation gain, and seeing as I was now running all alone in front I had to really push myself to get a move on it. I ran pretty consistently for a half hour when I meadered onto the asphalt path that lines the Sacramento river. The terrain took the path up some rather steep pitches and I really began to feel it in my legs. I ate my third GU and waited for it to kick in. Returning on this little out and back section allowed me to see the rest of the runners and that really helped me pick up the pace. Redding has a number of bridges that cross the SAC river and I kept waiting to see the Sundial Bridge to know that I had made it. I wound my way through the arboretum for the last mile and flew across the bridge to finish in 2:45. A new course record, and also for the ladies as Bev finished 2nd overall in 2:55. I was certainly thankful for the amount of dirt on the course, I imagine my legs will be thanking me all this week as well. The race was well run and I was happy to see so many finisher, 105 in the marathon alone. Don't know if I'll be back just yet, but I've definitely "done that."

Bowling for, well, Runners.

The first annual Rogue Valley Runners Christmas Challenge got started on the wrong foot Tuesday night at Roxy Ann Lanes thanks in large part to a lack of focus and numerous "running" injuries. The first game was a battle of the sexes as Ron "Ronaldino" Kleiman pinched bowled his way out of retirement to lead all scorers with a 170 point gem. Not to be out done "Carlita" Varner managed to pull the ladies within earshot but it was the antics of her fellow teammates "slowball" Langford and Darcy "can we use bumpers" Kleiman that surely lead to their demise. However, game two saw a miraculous comeback as ladies flaunted their win in the face of Jeremiah "jer bear" Lewmans strong showing for the men and Ronaldinos closing turkey (3 strikes in the last frame)! Hal "El Jefe" Koerner and Nick "Guero" David rounded out the scoring, or was it dropped the bottom out of the average I don't know! I'm sure we wont find any of them spinning on the parkay until this time next year, Amen!

4th annual S.O.F.A 50k

It just so happens that a lot of Oregon ultrarunners celebrate their birthday on the same weekend in January. To add injury to insult, the southern oregon fat ass has become an anuual right of passage. Tim Turk will be having a "milestone" birthday, then we have Craig Thornley, Jeff Riley, Marcus Mayfield, Clayton Gillette and new Oregonian Hal Koerner all celebrating on the same weekend. The plan is to run the Wild and Scenic Rogue River trail till we have our fill of "fun" or 32 mies which ever comes first. We'll leave Graves creek about 9AM on Saturday, January 20th and run out-n-back for a total of about 50k. Remember, out-n-back means you can cut it short or make it long. Last year we had a record 27 runners! We hope to see you there!

This is a self-supported run that crosses countless streams that many of us have drunk from for years without incident. Do I need to mention rain, after all this is Oregon, right? Oh yeah, poison oak too.

From the north, take the Wolf Creek exit #76 to the Graves Creek trailhead.

From the South, take the Merlin exit #61 and do the same.

Dashing Through the Snow

The holidays have arrived and there is no time like the present ( pardon the pun) for all of you last minute shoppers to come in and take advantage of our great selection of cold weather tops and bottoms as well as our accesories to keep your hands and head warm this winter season.

We will be open everyday this winter season except Christmas and will be closing at 3 on Christmas eve.

Whiskeytown 50k

Carly and Hal made the trip south of the border last weekend, as did some fellow Ashlanders, Medfordians, and valley dwellers, to run around in the hills west of Redding California at the Whiskeytown 50k and 30k. Hal broke the long standing course record in the 50k(ok 2003 wasn't that long ago) by running 4:12. It was a great run, with a wide variety of trails and numerous stream crossings. All so very important when trying not to focus on the fact that one is trying to cover some 31 miles on dirt paths and roads. Carly, running her farthest distance to date brought home second place in the 30k event running 3:15. Store regular and Talent resident Joshua Hough finished strong in the 50k as well in 6:07 and ultra-running aficionado Ben Benjamin followed closely behind with a 6:32 showing. Congrats to all!

180 days in the valley

Well, we've made it this long and there is no turning back now! Store runs have moved up an hour to 5 o'clock on Tuesdays and Thursdays and we are anxiously awaiting more new faces. We have demo headlamps to run with so don't be discouraged by the fading sun.