Central Oregon is a wonderland of possibilities. Explore.
Here you’ll find the resources that visitors and locals alike rely on to join a running group, find the right gear, explore a new trail, or even navigate USATF registration for your youth athlete.
Welcome to Central Oregon. If you’re a runner, and we suspect you are since you’ve made it this far, then you’ll find Central Oregon is the place you always dreamed about. With a plethora of trails, miles of rolling country roads, and some of the best resources such as coaching, running stores, and body work specialists you’ll find anywhere in the country, we’ve got all you need to help you find your niche in the running community and keep you running healthy.
Meet fellow runners at our Monthly Group Runs. Local running stores like the Footzone (Bend), Eurosport (Sisters), and Norms Xtreme Fitness (Prineville) will help you get the right gear for whatever your need whether it be a winter run through the snow, a summer time climb in the mountains, or any type of race.
If it’s a new route that you’re after, visit our Area Trails page for trail maps and directions on how to get there.
If you’d like to join a club and get hooked into the local running community the Central Oregon Running Klub would love to have you as part of our team. Check out our weekly runs and special events. We’re involved in numerous Central Oregon races and events each year as well as coaching youth teams in cross country and track and field. We have an active trail work team helping to keep our local trails like the Deschutes River Trail groomed and in prime condition. Volunteer with them on the “Trail Team” page to get involved.
The CORK club sees it as an important duty to give back to the local community. Supporting our youth as they transition into the world is one of the most impactful ways we can make a difference. For over 15 years we have been giving scholarships to local graduating high school seniors that excel in academics, participate in athletics, and give back to the community.
If you exemplify the CORK ideals and would like to apply for the CORK scholarship please download an application below, fill it out to the best of your ability, and return it to centraloregonrunningklub at gmail dot com.
If you have questions please send an email to centraloregonrunningklub at gmail dot com.
Application Due Date: April 15, 2024
Email completed application to: centraloregonrunningklub at gmail dot com
Download:
There is no shortage of running routes in Central Oregon. You will find a plethora of gravel roads, trails, bike paths, and roads to fill your days of running adventures. Wherever you plan your next run use our resources for route planning below to help you find a new location or determine just the right distance for your long run.
TAKE CARE OF THE PLACES WE RUN!
Whether you're running deep in the wilderness or on a path through town, the following guidelines will help keep our trails beautiful and enjoyable for everyone!
Leave No Trace
Keep track of trash, gel and bar wrappers, even those little pull tabs! Pack everything out.
If nature calls, know how to go! Walk 200 feet (70 paces) away from any trail or water source to where others are not likely to walk or camp. Dig a hole 6-8 inches deep, and bury your waste. Never leave toilet paper or waste on the surface of the ground.
Respect Others and the Environment
Stay on the trail or path. This helps keep our single track trails from becoming two-lane highways. Wandering off trail also creates erosion and kills vegetation. Along rivers, creeks, and lakeshores, stay on durable surfaces such as rocks and logs. In the mountains many plants and grasses have short growing seasons and can't withstand much disturbance. Crushing footsteps from humans and dogs can destroy sterambanks, riparian areas, and alpine meadows.
Keep voices down, if you're in the woods this will minimize disturbance to wildlife or to other people enjoying a serene atmosphere. If you're on a trail near homes or a neighborhood, this will ensure homeowners have peace and quiet too.
Be courteous and polite to others. It's easy to get in the zone when running but remember to share the trails. Step off the trail (preferably on to a rock or log if possible) to let others pass or announce yourself when passing others.
Route Resources
Printable Route Sheets (some of our favs)
Horse Butte - 10mi
Footzone Noon Run Loop - 7mi
Maston Area - 12.5mi
Deschutes River Trail - 2-15mi
North Fork/Farewell Loop - 10mi
We can’t be everywhere at once so we’re relying on you to be our eyes on the ground. Are you an avid trail runner? Have you been exploring some trails and noticed some downed trees, washed out tread, brushy sections, or trails that need a little TLC? Report your find here and we’ll hop on it.
Saturday Coffee House Run at Thump Coffee
Thursday Evening Run
CORK hosts several weekly runs throughout the year plus special events on a rotating basis. We love to see our running community and it’s always more fun running with a group. Plus, you’ll often find us mawing pastries or downing a cold beer after our group runs. Come hang out with us.
Below is a list of our runs but always check our Facebook page for the most up to date information.
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CORK Weekly Runs:
Thursday Evening Run - 6:00pm. Check the Events Page for updated location.
Saturday Coffee Run - 8:00am May to October and 9:00 am November to April. Check the Events Page for updated location.
Tuesday Performance Group - 5:30pm email max at footzonebend dot com
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Footzone Weekly Runs:
Or check out one of the weekly FootZone runs at www.footzonebend.com/events
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Other Running Area Running Clubs:
USATF is a great organization but sometimes the registration process for youth cross country and track and field events can be a little daunting. Never fear, we are here to help you navigate how to get your athlete age verified, registered, and paid up.
There are three steps you’ll need to go through:
1) Obtain a USATF Membership for your athlete (see below)
2) Send age verification docs to USATF (see below)
3) Register your athlete for the Junior Olympic Meet (see below)
Detailed Info:
Step 1: First and foremost the athlete will need to be a USATF Member affiliated with the Central Oregon Running Klub #304. Go here to register for USATF and make sure to put 304 in the USATF Registered Club. Youth memberships are $25 per year.
Step 2: If this is your first time as a USATF member, you must also provide age verification. During membership registration you’ll be required to submit/upload proof of birthdate through the USATF Connect system.
If this fails to work then you may be able to scan and email proof of age (birth certificate, passport) to:
USATF Oregon Membership
usatforegonmembership@gmail.com
They will have a current list of all USATF youth members from Oregon and will validate your childs age. Only after age verification can you register for the Junior Olympic Meet!
Step 3: Your next step is to register for the Junior Olympic Meets at Oregon.USATF.org or more likely, Athletic.net. USATF Oregon isn't very fast at updating their website.
Go to the individual Athletic.net links in the info section of the CORK XC Registration page. The meet registration link should be on this page along with links to meet info.
Complete the online registration for the first level of the Junior Olympic Track & Field Program in your Association (starting with the State or Association Championship). (**Date of birth verification must be submitted to your local association in order to complete online registration**).
Meet registration is done through Athletic.net. We can help you through this process because it can be confusing. You will register your athlete for each meet and pay the entry fee on Athletic.net.
The USATF Youth page can be found here for more information on all things pertaining to youth.
Youth Age divisions can be found here.
If you would like more information on the USATF Youth Program the USATF Rules Book will have all rules, procedures, standards and by laws. This is the nitty gritty of all the rules.