Runners give to Ragsdale's loved ones - Gate House

Ashland Daily Tidings (Ashland, OR — Wayback)

2016-04-16

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By Nick Morgan For the Tidings February 04. 2016 7:41PM Runners give to Ragsdale's loved ones Todd Ragsdale Nearly a week after distance runner Todd Ragsdale was found dead in the Ashland watershed, friends, acquaintances and Southern Oregon's running community continue to rally around the loved ones he left behind. Ragsdale's friend Jenny Northrup Bayon set up a fundraising campaign Sunday for Ragsdale's wife, Nancy, on the crowdfunding website gofundme.com, with a goal of raising $15,000, and by Thursday afternoon the campaign had raised $17,122 from 289 donors. Rogue Valley Runners store owner Hal Koerner posted on the Southern Oregon Runners Facebook page that a limited number of "Run Like Todd" T-shirts, using a drawing of Ragsdale in a Flash costume, will be sold for $15 each during the club's Couple's Shuffle 10K Relay event Saturday. Proceeds will go to Ragsdale's family, according to the post. Koerner said Bayon created the design, and supplies are limited to 150 shirts. "I'm not sure if it was a costume he indeed wore, but certainly in the spirit of him," Koerner said in an email.  According to Southern Oregon Runners member Amber Jacobson, who helped organize supplies during a two-day search that involved more than 100 volunteers, the local running community is doing its best to rally around Ragsdale's wife in the wake of the loss. "We're all kind of coming together and letting her know that she's loved and not alone," Jacobson said. "We lost a family member as far as we're concerned." Running publications near and far are honoring Ragsdale's memory, known as much for his friendly demeanor as his beating a world record by running over 100 miles barefoot. Articles about Ragsdale appeared this week on the websites of Trail Runner Magazine and Runner's World. Ragsdale's body was found Saturday along Ashland Creek, not far from the area where searchers were based at the Granite Street Reservoir in Ashland. Although police found no apparent signs of foul play, the cause of Ragsdale's death remains under investigation. According to Capt. Tim Snaith with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department, an autopsy has been performed but medical examiners are still awaiting toxicology reports. Snaith said there are no definitive answers as to the cause, so examiners are gathering facts. "Those facts include the toxicology report," Snaith said. To contribute to the memorial fund, see www.gofundme.com/toddragsdale. Reach reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @MTCrimeBeat. http://www.dailytidings.com/article/20160204/NEWS/160209915 © 2016 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->