Ashland Anytime Fitness 5K and 1/2 Mile Kid's Dash 2013- Full Race Report

    We'll be honest, there were a few snags this year when it came time to plan the 4th Annual Ashland Anytime Fitness 5K.  A lot of time and effort had gone into managing Granite Man 2013 and although we had good intentions to get the permits done early for the 5K, we got a late start.  In the mean time, we had been unaware of two nearby races that had secured the same date for their race.  The Color Run and the Headwaters Ultra.  We try to keep our races from conflicting with those organized by our local run club and run store, but during the Summer it's almost impossible to not conflict with at least one race.  We were a bit hesitant about whether the race should still be scheduled for August 24th and how badly the other races would hurt our attendance.  We also had concerns about the smoke from the recent local fires that had been wreaking havoc on the air quality, but thankfully it was a non factor on race day.  Despite all our worry, we decided to go forward with the race and hope for the best. This was our 2nd year of supporting the Friends of the Animal Shelter and they didn't disappoint by bringing some cute kittens that were up for adoption.  We also added a Kid's Dash this year to involve the youth runners and get them excited about running.

Race day sign ups and packet pick-up

Tammy and David Moore

Kelly Porter, Thad and Tina Lenker ready to get this race started!

   With all the reasons we thought the race might not attract many people this year, we actually ended up having our largest turn out yet.  41 people ran in the 5K and 12 kid's ran in the first annual half mile Kid's Dash.  Trevor Palmer showed up and broke the race record with a smoking fast time of 15:44 which was 19 seconds faster than the previous record set by Jeff Olson in 2010.  Even though Jeff Olson wasn't in attendance, two of the previous three champions were in attendance, and I knew there was potential for some very fast times.  The three previous women's champions weren't in attendance and it guaranteed that their would be a new women's winner.  Olivia Ramos ran a 22:19 taking the women's top spot, coming in 6th overall, and that time was good for 7th place on the list of top ten women's times.  

Watch out kids, Trevor is going for the record!

Our new champion and record holder!

Olivia Ramos smiling all the way to the finish line and taking the trophy!

Aaron Luksich sprinting to the finish!

David Moore on his way to a time of 19:31.  Great run and he's only 13!

2011 Champion Tyrone Raber puts up his best time!

Laura Raber with a fast finish!

No time to catch your breath, we need to get your picture Tammy Moore!

Kimberly Walch crossing the line!

Kelly Porter eyes that finish line!

Luana Lopez with a great run!

Thad and Tina's second time doing this race, no problem!

It's nice to see our furry friends getting in on the race action to help FOTAS!

     The Kid's Dash started one minute after the 5K and the course was out and back on the Greenway for a total of a half mile.  Isaiah Clark-Hexter was the first Kid's Dash overall champion with a time of 3:39.  The overall girls champion was Kansas Raber with a time of 4:06.  The 6 and under age group was won by Gabriel Luksich with a time of 4:01 and Rylynn Sotos with her time of 5:21.  We really enjoyed having the kids there for the race and they seemed to be having a great time running.  There were lot's of smiles and we hope they continue to have a love for running as they get older.  

Isaiah Clark-Hexter blazing his way to the win!

Kansas Raber charging up the hill!

Gabriel Luksich with a fast run and big smile!

Rylynn Sotos with a relentless drive to finish!

Easton Raber shows a nice stride!

Marley Theiring trying to hold off all competitors!

Evan Luksich kicks it into gear!

Rocco White looks happy before he dashes to the finish!

    We can't thank all the local businesses enough for their prize donations.  They help make this race special. I want to thank Eliza from Friends of the Animal Shelter for bringing those cute kittens out to the race and being such a great representative for FOTAS.  Most of all, we want to thank everyone who came out to race and help support FOTAS.  If you wish to make a donation to FOTAS, you can do so here. You can find the full race results here.  Also, the full photo album can be found on Facebook on the Ashland Anytime Fitness 5K page here.  Look below to see the all time top ten times for Men and Women in the 5K race.  Thanks again for coming out and making this a great event!

Trevor Palmer, 2013 Ashland Anytime Fitness 5K Men's Champion!

Olivia Ramos, 2013 Ashland Anytime Fitness 5K Women's Champion!

Ashland Anytime Fitness 5K Women's Top Ten Times:

1) Molly Reimer-2010  20:58

2) Suzanne Ray-2010  21:03

3) Elena Meyer-2010  21:43

4) Suzanne Ray-2011  21:45

5) Melanie Neilitz-2010  22:09

6) Melanie Neilitz-2011  22:15

7) Olivia Ramos-2013  22:19

8) Katharina Deutzmann-2013  22:54

9) April Solomon-2010  23:27

10) Laura Raber-2013  24:14

Ashland Anytime Fitness 5K Men's Top Ten Times:

1) Trevor Palmer-2013  15:44

2) Jeff Olson-2010  16:03

3) Zorg Loustalet-2010  16:44

4) Aaron Luksich-2012  17:58

5) Aaron Luksich-2013  18:09

6) Joshua Wallace-2012  19:04

7) David Moore-2013  19:31

8) Herve Pastre-2013  19:45

9) Tyrone Raber-2013  20:08

10) Tyrone Raber-2012  20:10 

Ashland Anytime Fitness 5K and 1/2 Mile Kid's Dash 2013 Results

5k Results

Place	Name		Gender	Age	Time	Bib #
1	Trevor	Palmer	M	18	15:44.3	454
2	Aaron	Luksich	M	36	18:09.6	496
3	David	Moore	M	13	19:31.9	436
4	Herve	Pastre	M	66	19:45.2	453
5	Tyrone	Raber	M	36	20:08.0	441
6	Livvy	Ramos	F	31	22.19.2	433
7	Bryan	Turner-Gerlach	M	33	22:42.1	438
8	Katharina	Deutzmann	F	23	22:54.8	85
9	Jeff	Rhoades	M	28	24:02.9	90
10	Laura	Raber	F	35	24:14.6	495
11	Emily	Voelkel	F	28	25:03.3	437
12	Charles	Oldham	M	46	25:03.8	494
13	Jeanne	Peterson	F	30	25:11.6	8
14	Shannon	Christopher	F	42	25:15.3	83
15	Tammy	Moore	F	46	26:14.2	435
16	Lyric	Haveman	F	10	26:34.1	460
17	Katie	Rhoades	F	25	26:44.7	91
18	Frank	Betlejewski	M	57	27:07.6	457
19	Mike	Clark	M	53	27:48.0	86
20	Samuel	Peterson	M	31	28:03.0	428
21	Eric	Loeffler	M	26	28:29.2	456
22	Kjerstine	Anderson	F	31	28:45.7	455
23	Kimberly	Walch	F	44	31:26.4	431
24	Marissa	Tarazon	F	16	34:23.8	432
25	Ben	Smith	M	8	35.17.0	440
26	Ken	Smith	M	44	35:24.2	439
27	Kelly	Porter	F	40	35:28.9	444
28	Heidi	Redtfelt	F	42	38:32.6	84
29	Dodie	Noles	F	51	38:34.5	492
30	Louis	Hexter	M	53	38.59.2	89
31	Luana	Lopez	F	47	39:22.8	499
32	Annette	Totten	F	49	43:21.5	434
33	Saira	Jensen	F	37	43:52.2	497
34	Mike	Jensen	M	38	43:53.0	498
35	Tina	Lenker	F	42	47:38.0	443
36	Thad	Lenker	M	43	47:39.0	442
37	Paul	Guytm	M	54	1:01:22.2	464
38	Brooklyn	Gartman	F	31	1:01:23.4	458
39	Donna	Markle	F	67	1:06:10.8	461
40	Nancy	Beaver	F	63	1:06:13.3	462
41	Dahna	Dow Osmus	F	54	1:12:16.8	463

1/2 Mile Kid's Dash Results

Place	Name		Gender	Age	Time	Bib #
1	Isaiah	Clark-Hexter	M	10	3:39.0	88
2	Joshua	Clark-Hexter	M	8	3:42.7	95
3	Gabriel	Luksich	M	6	4:01.4	445
4	Kansas	Raber	F	9	4:06.2	450
5	Easton	Raber	M	6	4:13.2	451
6	Marley	Theiring	M	5	4:14.0	459
7	Evan	Luksich	M	6	4:23.8	446
8	Rocco	White	M	5	4:48.4	493
9	Rylynn	Sotos	F	5	5:21.7	452
10	Jack	Smith	M	4	6:29.0	449
11	Maggie	Smith	F	4	6:34.3	448

Introducing the 2013 Multisport Race Series

  Rogue Valley Race Group has created a multisport race series for 2013.  Our goal was to create a race series that would reward participants for racing different sports (possibly some for the first time) and volunteering at these races.  For a reasonable fee of $5, you can sign up and be a part of the action.  Our hope is you will participate in each race, but it is not required.  At the end of our race season calendar in September, we will hold an awards ceremony to honor those with the highest point totals.  Here is how the point system breaks down:

• 5 points for participating in a race (no matter where you place)

Additional points will be given for the top 4 males and females in each age groups as follows:

• 4 points for 1st in age group
• 3 points for 2nd in age group
• 2 points for 3rd in age group
• 1 point for 4th in age group

• 3 points can also be earned for volunteering at the included races

The top 3 women and the top 3 men in the overall point totals will be awarded at the end of the season.  We will also give awards to the man and woman with the highest total volunteer points.

Similar to the Southern Oregon Runners runner of the year awards, we wanted to reward those who participate in the races the most and help out, and not just the fastest (although if you are fast, you will be rewarded too!)  Once again, I would like to emphasize that you do not have to participate in every race to win an award.  It all comes down to the highest point totals.  If you are intimidated by a lake swim or don't feel confident zooming down the trails on your mountain bike, those would be great races to volunteer at and still pick up points.  Sign up for the race series here and start earning points in April!

The race schedule consists of:

• Lost Creek Trail Run -April 27th
• Spring Thaw Mt. Bike Race -May 18th
• Granite Man -June 1st and 2nd 
• Applegate Masters Swim -July
• Ashland Anytime Fitness 5K -August

   The 2nd annual Lost Creek Trail Run will be held on April 27th.  This is a well organized race held in a beautiful venue.  There are two distances to choose from, a rolling 5K that will keep you on your toes with challenging terrain consisting of road, trail, and bike path.  For those of you looking to run longer, challenge yourself with a memorable 30K adventure around the whole lake.  Close to 16 of the 18 total miles are on tasty single track.  Choose your adventure!  The race will be here soon so sign up here today!

The Spring Thaw Mt. Bike Race takes place on May 18th.  Ride above Ashland's water shed on a mix of road and single track.  Ashland Loop road provides amazing views of Wagner Peak and Mt. Ashland but we're sure you'll be too busy zooming along the road and trail to notice.  More information can be found here!

The 1st weekend in June marks the return of Southern Oregon's only Off-Road Triathlon (and Southern Oregon's only triathlon for that matter), Granite Man.  The weekend offers a variety of races to participate in, which includes the triathlon, duathlon, and mountain run.  There is also a poker run, youth triathlon, and new this year, a 5K scavenger run.  This is truly an event for the whole family.  Sign up here!

As the weather heats up in July, what better way to cool off then with a dip in Applegate Lake for their annual masters swim.  You have several distances to choose from which include a 10K, 5K, 2.5K, and 1500M races. There is nothing quite like finding the rhythm of your swim stroke in an open water swim.  Ditch the pool and don't be contained by walls, it's time to find freedom in the water. More info here!

In August, come to Ashland and test your speed on the Bear Creek Greenway in the Ashland Anytime Fitness 5K.  The race course is an out and back that begins and ends at the Ashland Dog park. Your entry fee helps raise money for the Friends of the Animal Shelter (FOTAS).  Besides having a shot at setting a 5K PR and helping out FOTAS, the Anytime Fitness 5K is known for providing an abundance of raffle prizes.  There is a good chance you won't be leaving this race empty handed.  Check out the website!

So we believe we have put together a solid multisport race series, full of high quality races that will challenge you.  Sign up for the race series today and we look forward to seeing you out at the races!