Nov. 15’s fine autumn day found many of Southern Oregon’s premier runners engaged in the Rogue Valley Challenge 50 Km. and 100 Km. Relays through the foothills encircling the Bear Creek Valley to Ashland, on the Bike Path in the Bear Creek Greenway, and along the Rogue River before returning to Jacksonville to finish. The revamped course was able to utilize the bike path from Ashland to Central Point.  The weather was genuinely pleasant for another year with some early fog, followed by warm sun. 
          The overall 100K winning squad this year, with a time for the new course of 5:42:51, was the Rogue Valley Runners. This team consisted of Hal Koerner, John Leuthold, Trevor Palmer, and Kyle and Eric Skaggs. Das Fuego from South Medford claimed the High School Division with a time of 7:30:37. A new record for the 50K course was also established. The Jefferson State Gents team of Ric Sayre, Jim and David Morgan, and Clayton Gillette lowered this mark to 3:12:30.                       
          Runners were again treated to hot chicken soup and sourdough bread at the climax of another successful relay.  Participants’ comments were very favorable for the new course, and barring any construction projects in the future, it’s a course we’ll enjoy for many year’s to come.
          Next year’s relay will be held on Nov. 21 and fliers will be included in the Southern Oregon Runners’ newsletter and available at our local running stores and clubs.

Sincerely,
Clayton Gillette, race director