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ASHLAND HILL CLIMB Runners to hit the trail to the mountaintop Smoky conditions could force cancellation By Eli Stillman For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Eli Stillman For the Tidings Posted Aug. 13, 2015 @ 2:00 am By Eli Stillman For the Tidings Posted Aug. 13, 2015 @ 2:00 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2324,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Ashland’s beautiful downtown plaza will serve as the starting point for the annual Mt. Ashland Hill Climb at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. Registered racers will toe the line at the edge of Lithia Park before embarking on a 13.3-mile foot race to the top of Mt. Ashland. While this is only slightly longer than a half marathon, the mile-plus in elevation change runners face while climbing to the top makes it just a bit tougher, to put it mildly, than the typical road race. The course is a steady gain in altitude along fire roads and single-track paths, but still contains dangers along the trail wilderness. The races website states that some of the hazards include, “Cougars, bears, raccoons, deer, bats, owls, hawks, bald eagles, and mountain bikes ... Cracked pavement, unmarked potholes, large rocks, and sticks may suddenly leap out in your path at any time. Beware of clowns. Not so much on this course, but in general. And mimes.” Another threat — smoke — is being closely monitored by race organizers, who say they will likely call the event off if the Air Quality Index climbs to or above 125, midway through the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" range. Runners gasping for oxygen as they try to fuel a run up a mountain tend to be sensitive to air quality. While the air has frequently climbed into that range in the last two weeks due to numerous fires in southern Oregon and northern California, Wednesday's readings were solidly in the "healthy" range. Even without smoke issues — much less cougar or clown attacks — at the 2014 race, 166 out of the 410 runners entered were not able to reach the top of Mt. Ashland. And 14 runners who were signed up did not start. Most finishers came in anywhere between two hours and five hours from the time after they left Lithia. Coming in first with a time of 1:47:44 was 25-year-old David Laney. The Southern Oregon University alumni and now Nike-sponsored trail runner was actually a few minutes slower than when he won it the previous year. His personal best of 1:44:39 is the second fastest time ever on the course, just behind Max King’s smoking-fast record time of 1:41:50 in 2010. On the women’s side, Ashland’s Becka Kim has won the climb twice and sits second on the course top-time list. The 34-year-old is looking for another victory this year and comes to the race Saturday tuned up after winning the Jacksonville Granite Man 10 Miler in June. Her best is only 1:06 seconds behind Evelyn Dong’s course record set in 2008. On the men’s side, one of the new players entering the competition who could potentially cross the finish line first is Eagle Point native Tyler Van Dyke. The All-American cross country runner has started off his post-collegiate career with a bang after winning the Siskiyou Out and Back 50-kilometer (31-mile) race less than one month ago. This was the longest race Van Dyke has ever competed in, but the 22-year old has been determined to build his resume on the trail seen as fast as possible. “I’ve just been running a bunch of miles and hills,” Van Dyke said, “I also like to throw in a speed track workout every once in awhile to get my heart rate really high.” Proceeds from the excruciating morning of running will go towards maintaining some the very trials that the racers will compete on. The Ashland Woodlands and Trails Association is a private, nonprofit group that helps preserve the trails and woodlands. According to their website, “Ashland boasts a park system of 180 acres of developed park land, 463 acres of underdeveloped park land and over 20 miles of trails.” Outside Magazine has listed Ashland as one of the best small towns in America for trail activities, including running, mountain biking and hiking. In collaboration with Ashland Parks & Recreation, the Pacific Crest Trail Association and the U.S. Forest Service, AWTA hopes to maintain and create trails that will be enjoyed for many years to come. Spectators are encouraged to come to Lithia Park early Saturday morning to support the racers as they set off and drive up to the top of Mt. Ashland and cheer them through the finish line. After 13.3 miles of vertical trail running, they will appreciate all of the encouragement they can get. Ashland freelance writer Eli Stillman is editor-in-chief of The Siskiyou, the student-produced Southern Oregon University newspaper. Email him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @eliment13. By Eli Stillman For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Eli Stillman For the Tidings Posted Aug. 13, 2015 @ 2:00 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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