Pear Blossom Run
Since 1977 this motto has been the trademark of the premier running/walking even in Southern Oregon - the Pear Blossom Run. Nestled in the Cascade Mountains just twenty-five miles north of the California border, Medford is the site of this unique event, organized "by runners - for runners". A nonpaid committee of fifty persons organizes this community event held in conjunction with the annual Pear Blossom Festival; a parade, barbeque and street faire are part of the week long festivities.
The list of those who have been chosen to fire the canon at the
start looks like a list of "who's who". Among the Honorary Chairman who helped
found the event, father of the Nike shoe industry; Bill Bowerman, Olympian and
one-time holder of every woman's U.S. distance record; Mary Slaney, the Governor
of Oregon, Olympic Champion: Billy Mills, and the all time favorite of the
"kids", Walt Disney's; Mickey Mouse. Past participants have included former
Olympians and National record holders. Runner's World has listed "Pear
Blossom" as "One of the Top Road Races in the U.S."
At the corner of
Medford City Hall stands a granite monument with the Pear Blossom Run logo; it
is dedicated to the participants who have "toed the starting line" each and
every year, in what has become known as the Rogue Valley's #1 Athletic
Event"
