Great and Fast Strides on the Sterling Mine Ditch
Categories: News & Updates - Tags: 5 mile race, BLM, Run the Ditch 5 Miler, Southern Oregon Runners, Sterling Mine Ditch Trail
96 runners took to our trails this weekend running a 5-mile race from Tunnel Ridge Trailhead, down Little Applegate Road to the Bear Gulch trailhead, along the Sterling Mine Ditch trail (SMDT) returning to Tunnel Ridge. The fastest runner did this in slightly under 33 minutes!!!!!! In addition we had a nice turn out for our guided hike – led by Chamise Kramer, a botanist with BLM – despite the early morning rain! This race was organized by the Southern Oregon Runners – spearheaded by Seth Weintraub and Steve Goldman – both of whom know the SMDT well. SUTA and BLM were co-sponsored the event with our primary role making sure the trail was in tip-top shape for the event. This was a wonderful way to introduce a large number of people to the pleasures of this great trail. Next year we hope to see even more of you out there running! Three SUTA board members and their spouses ran the race in fine form with the rest of the SUTA board cheering!
If you haven’t hiked/ridden/bicycled or run the loop from Bear Gulch to Tunnel Ridge recently, I recommend it. Its been carefully trimmed of poison oak and other encroaching branches – it looks especially terrific.
We thought you would enjoy a few shots of the race on your trail system.
Hope Robertson
SUTA [fblikesend]
Run the Ditch 5 Miler - May 26, 2012
[img src=http://sutaoregon.org/wp-content/flagallery/run-the-ditch-5-miler-may-26-2012/thumbs/thumbs_img_1215.jpg]70The winner tears down the trail to Tunnel Ridge Trailhead
[img src=http://sutaoregon.org/wp-content/flagallery/run-the-ditch-5-miler-may-26-2012/thumbs/thumbs_img_1216.jpg]60The first runner to cross the finish line!
[img src=http://sutaoregon.org/wp-content/flagallery/run-the-ditch-5-miler-may-26-2012/thumbs/thumbs_img_1217.jpg]60
[img src=http://sutaoregon.org/wp-content/flagallery/run-the-ditch-5-miler-may-26-2012/thumbs/thumbs_img_1237.jpg]60Runners sprint for the finish line
[img src=http://sutaoregon.org/wp-content/flagallery/run-the-ditch-5-miler-may-26-2012/thumbs/thumbs_img_1241.jpg]60Jim Reiland flying along the trails he has worked so hard on
[img src=http://sutaoregon.org/wp-content/flagallery/run-the-ditch-5-miler-may-26-2012/thumbs/thumbs_img_1247.jpg]60JIm Clover, SUTA Board - King of Trailwork - heads in for the homestreach
![[img src=http://sutaoregon.org/wp-content/flagallery/run-the-ditch-5-miler-may-26-2012/thumbs/thumbs_img_1208.jpg]801st Inaugural Run the Ditch 5-Miler Race May 26, 2012 Begins](http://sutaoregon.org/wp-content/flagallery/run-the-ditch-5-miler-may-26-2012/img_1208.jpg){kind=link}
![[img src=http://sutaoregon.org/wp-content/flagallery/run-the-ditch-5-miler-may-26-2012/thumbs/thumbs_img_1215.jpg]70The winner tears down the trail to Tunnel Ridge Trailhead](http://sutaoregon.org/wp-content/flagallery/run-the-ditch-5-miler-may-26-2012/img_1215.jpg){kind=link}
![[img src=http://sutaoregon.org/wp-content/flagallery/run-the-ditch-5-miler-may-26-2012/thumbs/thumbs_img_1216.jpg]60The first runner to cross the finish line!](http://sutaoregon.org/wp-content/flagallery/run-the-ditch-5-miler-may-26-2012/img_1216.jpg){kind=link}
![[img src=http://sutaoregon.org/wp-content/flagallery/run-the-ditch-5-miler-may-26-2012/thumbs/thumbs_img_1217.jpg]60](http://sutaoregon.org/wp-content/flagallery/run-the-ditch-5-miler-may-26-2012/img_1217.jpg){kind=link}
![[img src=http://sutaoregon.org/wp-content/flagallery/run-the-ditch-5-miler-may-26-2012/thumbs/thumbs_img_1237.jpg]60Runners sprint for the finish line](http://sutaoregon.org/wp-content/flagallery/run-the-ditch-5-miler-may-26-2012/img_1237.jpg){kind=link}
![[img src=http://sutaoregon.org/wp-content/flagallery/run-the-ditch-5-miler-may-26-2012/thumbs/thumbs_img_1241.jpg]60Jim Reiland flying along the trails he has worked so hard on](http://sutaoregon.org/wp-content/flagallery/run-the-ditch-5-miler-may-26-2012/img_1241.jpg){kind=link}
![[img src=http://sutaoregon.org/wp-content/flagallery/run-the-ditch-5-miler-may-26-2012/thumbs/thumbs_img_1247.jpg]60JIm Clover, SUTA Board - King of Trailwork - heads in for the homestreach](http://sutaoregon.org/wp-content/flagallery/run-the-ditch-5-miler-may-26-2012/img_1247.jpg){kind=link}