“I’m headed to Ashland this weekend” I told my roommate Ani on Tuesday or Wednesday. “I’m looking for something fun to do this weekend...” she said. So Friday we left work early and make the 3.5 hr drive down to Ashland to visit Rogue Valley Runners and check in for the Lithia Loop Marathon Hal & Ian and a large group of volunteers put together. In spite of being super busy getting ready for the race Hal & Carly let us stay at their house. I always enjoy my visits with them. This one was too short.
I had no doubt this would be a fun and well run event. Like I have said in many other posts, ultrarunners know how to pull the details together to make a great event. I love smaller events and the 100 or less number seems to be a great size. Everyone can fit into a room for meals and awards, there doesn’t have to be a microphone to be heard and there seems to be more opportunity for quality conversations. This race was all that. It was great to see some faces I have known since I started in this sport and those of people I’ve met just since I’ve moved to Bend. Rogue Valley Runners has created quite an amazing running community in Ashland, drawing in all sorts of talent and people that love the sport.