Kurdistan Run was invented by Cruella de Ville and named for a running Kurd, a professor who loved this route because it reminded him of the extremely hilly country of his homeland.  There are few flat spots on this run, which has some tough hills with a total ascent of 400 feet over the 5-mile run.  Runners can avoid 110 feet of ascent by turning at the second telephone pole down the big hill known as "The Monster."  The telephone  pole marks the 4-mile turnaround point.  For a 5-mile run, go down The Monster and to the top of a slight rise just beyond Brown Road, which takes off on the left.  The rewards on this run are the spectacular views from the ridge about one mile out.

The run can be extended to almost 20 miles by completing the Old Pullman Road/Chipman Trail loop.  The hills diminish as you run west through farmland, and the return run on the Chipman Trail is almost flat.  If you try this one, be sure to notify your next of kin before starting.

  

Photos in sequence, left to right, along the Kurdistan Run.
    (Click on each photo to see enlarged version.)
    		 

Rayburn Hill - Go Right for Kurdistan Run, Left for Sand Rd. Run 
From Perimeter Dr
up Old Pullman
Highway
 
West up Old
Pullman Highway
View N from Old
Pullman Highway

SW view from Old
Pullman Highway
4 mile turn at 2nd
telephone pole
  
View down
The Monster Hill
5 mile turn at pole
past Brown Road

View up
The Monster
UI Golf Course on
the East
Returning back
to Moscow
Memorial Gym
Take a shower,
please!

Photos courtesy of
Alan Place		      

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