Jantz Tostenson Hopes To Put Together A Couple Of Needed Races, If Social Distancing Guidelines Will Allow It

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Jantz Tostenson wants to race and he wants to give an opportunity for others in his Southern Oregon community to do the same. 

That's how he came up with the idea of organizing the Rogue Valley Invitational, with tentative dates for April 11 and 12 at a public track yet to be named. 

A 3,000-meter race one day. A 1,500-meter race the other day. Not school affiliated. With the informality of a pickup basketball game. Maximum field size: 22. Every entrant signs a consent form.

At the moment, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has ordered that gatherings during the Coronavirus outbreak be kept to fewer than 25. 

Tostenson, a freshman at Georgetown who is back home in Central Point, Ore., taking his college classes online, is hoping to get this done. 

But he also knows that the dream of actual races on a calendar could come with scrutiny, and they could be wiped out altogether by Monday, when the state of Oregon issues new guidelines that call for residents to "stay home" unless it's absolutely necessary.

Pressure by officials to protect public health may put a lid on the the race plans and extend track and field's sudden prohibition. But who's to say, exactly, what will be going on in three weeks? How stir crazy will runners be? Could there be waivers in place by then, for the sake of sanity?

"I'm just trying to give people who have been working hard and training a chance to race," Tostenson said. "The rule right now is no gatherings larger than 25. If a parent brings someone, they'll have to stay in their car. We can't have more than 25 on the track."

Tostenson and Ashland senior E.J. Holland waged two memorable races last year in the Oregon Class 5A finals. In the 3,000 meters, in the rain, Holland outkicked Tostenson to win in 8:13.10 to 8:15.01 in one of the fastest races in state history. In the 1,500, Holland again got the better of Tostenson, 3:51.92 to 3:54.48. 

"I'd like to have a pacer to go 4:20 through the mile," Tostenson said. "I think Andy Monroe (home from Stanford) might handle that."

Holland used his Instagram account to spread the word about the April dates and his participation would make them newsworthy. He also knows there is strong sentiment against doing anything that might be deemed unsafe. 

"It's definitely hard," Holland said. "I want to follow what I'm being told to do by the government. At the same time, it's getting warmer. I'm in shape. Running is something that I love to do and racing is the best part about running. I hope we can put on the thing with Jantz and the other guys. I hope it works out."

Tostenson anticipates using a hand-timer and recording the finish line with a tablet. 

But again, Oregon may be headed toward stricter rules to ensure social distancing. How long that may last is anyone's guess. 

The desire to compete, however, and to put fitness to the test, is not going away. One week into this blank slate of a calendar the athletes want something to look forward to.

Tostenson has already had interest from high school runners in Portland that want to drive 250 miles down Interstate 5 to take part. He believes he will get 22 who want to race. Easily.

Tostenson knows one thing for sure: It beats staying at home.