Turkey Trot was Big Success!

Photo by: Andy Atkinson

Even the weather cooperated! It poured most of the night before but when race time came, not a drop in the sky. The temperature was a balmy 40 degrees. This year we had record turnout. There were over 1,000 runners, volunteers, and spectators. The Turkey Trot has turned into a great family event. For many families the Turkey Trot is now a yearly tradition.

Jorge Juarez from Phoenix Oregon smokes the 2 mile course. His 9:42 race time was definitely a course record. Michele Holcomb set a course record for the women on the 2 mile course with a time of 12:19. In the 8 mile race speedster Trevor Palmer scorched the 8 mile course in 41:12 and for the women Marci Klimek set a course record with an amazing 47:34.

This year we set a record on food donated to Access Food Share. We collected 741 pounds of food! You guys are awesome!! The numbers aren't finalized yet but it looks like we may be able to write a check to Access for around $12,000.00. For every dollar that is raised Access is able to provide 5 meals. That means that this will be able to help provide 60,000 meals!!! That is thanks to all of you. This would not be possible without your help.

SOR Member Hal Koerner smashes course record at the Javelina Jundred 100 mile ultramarathon.

Photo By: Matt Haggen

Many of you know Hal as the owner of Rogue Valley Runners. I had a chance to catch up with Hal and ask him about his latest accomplishment.


SOR: What was the weather like?

Hal: I had been watching it all week as it looked like we might have rain but it slowly changed to mid 70's for Saturday. Luckily the sun wasn't out all day though and I was able to enjoy some milder temps. Many finishers however had to endure rain and mud through the night, that was quite unfortunate.

SOR: At what point in the race did you take the lead?

Hal: I was with the lead group of Jay Aldous and Zach Gingerich for the first loop but Zach and I steadily pulled away from jay around mile 20 and then I ran alone from the 23-24 mile mark.

SOR: Did you go through any rough patches during the race?

Hal: Surprisingly no? Of course there were moments of extreme fatigue but I kept my stomach together and my legs felt great all day. I tried to keep up on Salts and GU and GUBRew and water as best I could and that strict fueling really helped.

SOR: Anything else that you can think of that would be interesting?

Hal: I had some tough competition from the 2011 Wasatch Front 100 winner, he was about 7-10 minutes behind me all day and on each of the loops, it's a washingmachine type loop, I could see him. It was unnerving at times but he definitely helped push me to the new CR time. To run 8:05 miles for 100 miles is never easy but I was happy with the effort.

For more information:

What a great day for an event! Oregons oldest run lived up to it's billing. Today under awesome weather we ran the Pioneer Road Run 2011. This years field was very fast, including what we think is the Rogue Valley's first sub-15 5k.. There were many students from the local high schools. With 9 mile, 5K, and a kids run there was something for everyone. This was the final time race director Jan Griffin will direct this event because she will be moving to Eugene. We will really miss Joe and Jan. Read the results here

The weather was amazing! It looks like a summer day

This past weekend the Rogue Valley Runners hosted the USATF National Trail Marathon championships at Lithia Loop Trail Marathon. The runners were not only challenged with 3,000 feet of elevation gain in the first 8 miles of the marathon but winter weather to boot! Even with all of that, Max King broke his course record by over 10 minutes. This picture of Jenn Shelton says it all. For more information and race results click HERE.

Jenn Shelton at mile 15 Lithia Loop Trail Marathon 2011

On Saturday October 29th Competitive Athletics put on the Grants Pass Half Marathon/10K/5K. They had a great turnout and many SOR members dominated the results. The course was very scenic and included several bridges. If you have not done this event, it's a great way to see Grants Pass. Here is a link to the results and the pictures.

Oregon's oldest running club, the Southern Oregon Runners, has been an integral part of the running scene in Southern Oregon promoting health and fitness through running, for the beginning runner and the prospective Olympian alike.    ~ Club History ~