“Come Run Above the Clouds” at the annual Chris Miller Memorial Steens Rim Run and Walk 10k, taking place in Frenchglen, Oregon on Saturday, August 3rd. Frenchglen, located south of Burns in Southern Oregon, is home to gorgeous Steens Mountain.
This race has a rich history. Beginning in 1983, local high school cross country coach Mary Otley had the genius idea to create a run along the Steens. With only a few dozen participants, this first event began what has become an incredible tradition that continues on today. In honor of a local teen who had an immense passion for both running and the Steens Mountain, in 1987 the Rim Run became the “Chris Miller Memorial Steens Rim Run and Walk“.
The Rim Run has a following that spans the United States and it’s dubbed “the toughest 10K in Oregon”. Taking place at high elevation with an unpredictable climate, the 10k course will offer participants breathtaking views, and a challenging, nearly steady climb from the start of the race, all the way to the finish line. This will be a challenging 10k, beginning at 7,830 feet elevation and finishing above 9,730 feet.
The course will follow along Steens Mountain Loop Road, then pass the headwaters of Fish Creek and the Little Blitzen. Running along the rim, you will witness high mountain views, and spot the Alvord Desert, which is 5,000 feet below the East Rim. Please come prepared for a variety of weather conditions, and it is advisable to have some warm gear waiting for you at the finish line to change into. The running surface is hard packed gravel.
Restrooms will be staged at the start line, finish line, and at the 3 mile mark. Post race refreshments will be provided at the finish.
Awards will be presented to the overall male and female finishers in both the run and the walk. Age groups awards will be issued three deep, with random prizes available for all race participants. Please note that the walk is competitive and does not allow running – the walk is a walk, so if you’re feeling good and think you’ll run some of it, enter the run.
This run is on my bucket list every year. Not only do the pictures look stunning and the community sounds awesome, but a good friend ran it several years ago and said it’s one she’ll never forget.
Steens Rim Run $45
Details:
Date: Saturday, August 3, 2024
Distance: 10k run/walk
Time: 9:30 for the walk, 10 a.m. for the run
