If you were to pick a place in Oregon that feels definitively like Oregon should, Ashland is a city that would for sure top the list. Many people think Central Oregon is the place to be, and I too adore this region immensely. But Southern Oregon is low key and beautiful and offers such a gift to us all. And amoung those offerings is the 2023 Rogue Marathon, Half Marathon, & 10k. This year, the…
Trail runners, this November marathon is for you! Rogue Valley Runners is putting on the Lithia Loop Trail Marathon for the 14th year. This loop course starts in Lithia Park and circumnavigates The Ashland watershed, accumulating 7,200 fee of elevation change. The course consists of 2 miles of pavement, 3 miles of double track trail, 5 miles of single track trail, and 16 miles of closed course dirt road. The route is sure to challenge you…
There is something about these races at the Siskiyou Out Back Festival (SOB) that exemplifies the vibe of trail running. Maybe it is the views, the food, the multiple race distances, but this event aims (and succeeds) at feeling like a festival. Yes, we go for the run, but with so much extra going on over this weekend of races, the experience is so much more than the race itself. On Friday night, there is…
Get your run on for the 4th of July this year at the 2018 Ashland 4th of July Run in Ashland, OR. This race dates all the way back to the 1970’s and is the 3rd oldest annual race in Southern Oregon. You have two options, depending on what you are looking for. There’s a 10k race if you’re looking to join local and visiting competitors for a run or a 2 Mile Fun Run/Walk…
Bander-who? Bander-what? I’m still not sure what a Bandersnatch is, but the Bandersnatch 5k and Lewis Loops 10 miler, new for this year, is a small local race held in Ashland the past 2 years and is billed as an introduction to trail running for new runners and something different for seasoned trail runners to try out! Both races start in lovely Lithia Park in downtown Ashland – this park is a 100-acre vista of…
I have yet to attempt to run in a costume, but I think if I were to, I’d opt for the old school jack-o-latern giant pumpkin one. The Ashland Monster Dash Run for Education has been going on for 9 years now and their tag line is “So Fun it’s Scary!” and this event certainly has a lot going on to make it just that – costumed or not! First, both runners and non-runners are…
It’s no secret that runners want to be challenged. That’s why they keep running. If you’re looking for a hilly run, you’ll find that and more at the 40th Annual Mt Ashland Hillclimb Run in Ashland, OR on August 12th. This is one of the races with the most elevation gain of any continuous hill climb in the continental United States, with a total of over 5,600’ of climbing. So brace yourself for screaming quads…
If you happen to find yourself in Southern Oregon on the Fourth of July, there are two great small town races to check out! The 41st Annual Ashland, Oregon 4th of July run offers you two options to choose from: a 2 mile fun run or a 10k run – both routes offer great views, with the 10k running along the tree-lined Bear Creek Greenway, and are fast and quick on closed roadways. All ages…
I love it when a run is part of a bigger festival or celebration. Charlie’s Chocolate 5k Run/Walk takes place on Sunday, March 5th during the Oregon Chocolate Festival at the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites in Ashland OR. There will be delicious prizes along the way, including a Charlie’s Chocolate Run Wonka Bar, and of course there will be a chance to win a golden ticket. You are also encouraged to dress up as your favorite Charlie…
In my opinion, every road runner at some point in their running “career” should try out a trail race. The Bandersnatch 5k trail race in Ashland is a great little race in Southern Oregon to get a taste for a hilly trail. This year’s event takes place on Saturday, November 19th, with an 8am start in Lithia Park. From there runners take a paved road and fire road into the park before turning onto the Bandersnatch single track…
