Maggie Donoman ascends to the top of Roxy Ann Peak during the 2008 Tough As Nails 10-mile run.
trail users continues to rise. Volunteer trail maintenance is part of the trail-user ethic in Southern Oregon. The AWTA’s volunteers annually log thousands of hours repairing — and even building new — trails. Thanks to their efforts, this trail system remains in much better condition than is found in many other regions. The epicenter of the trail-running scene is Rogue Valley Runners, the specialty shoe store on Ashland’s main street. Opened in 2006, the store is owned by Hal Koerner, a nationally ranked ultramarathoner for the past decade and two-time winner of the prestigious Western States Endurance Run 100-mile race. Koerner has attracted other elite ultramarathoners to Ashland, many have worked at his store, and all have benefitted from the challenging terrain and competition. For non-elite runners, Koerner has opened many local trail runners to the idea that it is possible to run for as many hours as you can hike. The Rogue Valley boasts its own ultramarathon competitions that attract competitors from around the country and even internationally. The Siskiyou Out Back — S.O.B. —
Many of the local trails are runnable throughout the year. With the incredible scenery, variety of forested and ridgetop trails, it should come as no surprise that Trail Runner magazine chose Ashland as one of the best trail running locations in the U.S. 50-kilometer race began in 1999 and now sells out months before its July start. In 2012, a 50-mile edition of the S.O.B. was added to meet the demand. The 100-mile Pine to Palm race in September traverses a gnarly mountainous course that sports more than 20,000 feet each of climbing and
April 20, 2014 • Our Valley 85