**GIVEN THE UNCERTAINTY OF THINGS DUE TO COVID-19, PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE PREVIEWING THIS RACE AS IF IT IS STILL OCCURRING . WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO FOLLOW THESE RACES ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR THEIR WEBSITES TO DETERMINE IF CHANGES ARE BEING MADE** The Shotgun Trail Blast put on by Level 32 Racing is sure to be a fun one especially for those looking for an early spring 50K Ultra Marathon this year. For those…
If you have had the distinction of running the Canyon Rumble, you know all about the infamous “M” hill. The massive M stands for Madras, of course, and like one might see in many towns across the country, it represents the local high school. I love trying to spot a massive white letter on a yonder hill, whenever I travel, as it often reminds me of the youth and the runners in those local schools.…
Last year, Super Dave Thomason, of SuperFit Productions, (re)introduced Bend to a new set of trail races. Formerly known as the Down & Dirty Half, the Storm King Half was met with great feedback following its inaugural year. More than just the half, the 5K and 10K distances also proved to be winners, as young and old took part in what is sure to become a favorite fall race. The course is a mix of…
I’ve made it no secret that personally I think that Southern Oregon is one of the best places to run in the state. With clean air, relatively mild weather and great views, the Mt. Ashland 5K scheduled for July 6th is likely to take advantage of every positive aspect of the region. Dubbed ‘America’s Friendliest 5K’, with hugs for finishers and great prizes, this race is like no other. Reigstration is currently open through RunSignUp.…
If you know your Beatles music, you know the lyrics to this song. Interestingly, one of the best lines (in my opinion) is in the first verse. John Lennon writes “Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see…” In the world of running, especially off road, running with your eyes closed would surely find you face first in the dirt. As John rattles on, looping back to the chorus, singing about how “nothing…
For many runners, the season tends to end when the weather changes from warm to cold, from dry to wet, or from ideal to disgusting. And yet, every year there are dozens of solid local races where the elements become the biggest part of the race. Now in its 7th year, the Canyon Rumble Frozen Half is just such an event. In the past 6 races, there have been ideal conditions, such as clear skies and mid-50’s…
Photo courtesy of UltraSignUp True cross country races that don’t traverse any pavement can be somewhat hard to find, and the Run the Woods 10K at Miller Woods outside of McMinnville is a bit of a rarity. Even in the green regions of Oregon, we can find ourselves traveling a hour or more for the opportunity to get our off road race fix. Scheduled for October 13th, which is prime cross country season, this mostly…
For those of you who know SuperFit Productions and the sweet races they put on, youknow that Dave Thomason pours his heart into every detail. For the past several years, the Down & Dirty Half has been a late season staple (also known as the Dirty Second Half, following the traditional Dirty Half that takes place in June each year). Earlier this year, SuperFit started toying with the idea of making some changes to the…
Question: What do you get when you combine a challenging race, a hilly and scenic course on trails through the woods, an historic venue, and a novel format that has been going on for years? Answer: The Britt Woods Firehouse Run! This Southern Oregon classic takes place outside of Jacksonville, Oregon on July 14th. The hills, trails, and unique staggered start based on age and gender will thoroughly test your grit and determination, but the…
Since I started running back in January, people have been telling me how I should run on Mt. Tabor. “It’s great for training!” they say. Well having looked up the trails and elevation changes, I can believe it! And I’m not ready for it yet – maybe next year! But maybe you are and if so, you should definitely sign up for the Mt.Tabor Tar ‘N’ Trail Run! Put on by the The Friends of…
