Omer & Becka Kem
1st-Annual Forest Park Run & Hike – by Becka Kem
Over the past 5 years, Park Rangers Gary Sprague and Tony Hess have been working diligently with the city of Jacksonville and the Bureau of Land Management to construct over 20 miles of beautiful trails.
For many, Jacksonville’s Forest Park is an unknown trail system. Upon returning to the Rogue Valley after nearly a dozen years in the Willamette Valley, my husband and I chose to live in Jacksonville for its historic charm and small town atmosphere. We also loved the established Jacksonville Woodlands Trail system for its well-groomed network of rolling trails.
Almost by chance, though, we discovered the Forest Park with its slightly more rugged terrain and more expansive trail system. We quickly learned the park rangers by name and realized that how underutilized this outdoor playground was. Over the past year, we have brought friends and fellow runners up to the park. Slowly, word is spreading about the miles and miles of single-track hiking and running trails, all less than 5 minutes from downtown Jacksonville. There’s no need to drive out to Applegate or Ashland for a great outdoor experience… it’s here in our own backyard.
The run will start about a mile and a half up the newly-graded Reservoir Road, at the large parking lot past the small Rail Trail parking lot. The 5k course will highlight the well-groomed Rail Trail, the historic Ol’ Miners Trail, the new Boulder Trail, a section of the Jackson Creek trail and finish on the Norlng Creek Trail. This loop has a couple of challenging sections that are rewarded with level trail traversing the ridge and following the lush and green Norling Creek.
The 10k course is the same as the 5k course but there is an extra climb up to the Canyon Vista trail and the Naversen Family Trail. From this ridge, you can view the Rogue Valley and hills around Jacksonville and from other viewpoints that offer breathtaking views, all definitely worth the extra effort. Come hike, walk, run and most importantly have fun. There will be music, snacks and refreshments waiting for you at the finish line.
A portion of the profits will be donated to the Jacksonville Woodlands Association to help build and maintain the Forest Park.
Race and entry details:
- 5k and 10k run entry fee is $12 for online registration, $15 day of race. 5k hike/walk entry fee $10 online, $10 day of race registration. 5k hike/walk DOES NOT include paper number or timing.
- Register online at https://secure.getmeregistered.com/ForestParkTrailRun. Online registration will close Thursday, December 5th @ 11:59pm.
- Registration and race number pick-up day of race from 8:30-9:45am.
- AWARDS: Age division ribbons for 1st/2nd/3rd. Prizes for 1st overall male/female.
- Refreshment will be available before and after the run.
For more information, contact RACE DIRECTORS, Omer and Becka Kem at 503-999-6622 or via email at kem.omer@gmail.com.
Posted December 2, 2013
We sure want to participate in this run at one of our very favorite trail sites! Not sure how to get up there in time, however, as we are helping Boosters with parade start. Should be over about 10:00 but that is too late. Then, even if we try to make it how to get through town during end of parade and up to Reservoir Road? Help!