After 30 years of competing in more than 100 running road races, marathons and triathlons, the Phair family of Bonita took on a bigger challenge by competing in the 224-mile Wild Rogue River Relay Run across Oregon.
The family’s 12-person team, named Family A-Phair, was among 82 teams that ran non-stop from Appleton Lake over the Cascade Mountains to Brookings on the Pacific Coast. Family A-Phair completed the arduous trek in 32 hours, 17 minutes to place 13th in the field.
The Phair family running team was comprised of mom Julie Phair, sons, wives, girlfriends, aunts, nieces and nephews. Dad Jeff was unable to participate while recovering from surgery.
Also on the team were former Bonita Vista High School runners Tim Strawn and Eric Avila.
Each team member ran several relay legs totaling approximately 18-20 miles.
“Running through the Cascade Mountains the scenery was spectacular,” team captain Julie Phair explained. “However, many of the relay legs were very steep and quite difficult.”
“This realy run was much tougher than any marathon I’ve done,” Nikki Phair added. “We ran on unpaved mountain roads all night long with headlamps, without any sleep, which was very challenging.”
Kirk Phair noted that nearly 1,000 ultra-endurance athletes competed in the race.
“The camaraderie and encouragement from other teams in the race made completing the steep and difficult sections easier and more rewarding,” he said.
“My brothers and I participated in our first 10K road race as 2-3 year olds pushed in strollers by mom and dad,” Clayton Phair noted. “This Wild Rogue River Run was the culmination of nearly three decades of running as a family. It was on our bucket list and it is very satisfying to have completed the race.”
Jeff and Julie Phair, Chula Vista real estate developers and investors, have been very active in the South Bay running community. Their business, The Phair Company, has been the corporate sponsor for many 5K and 8K races and has provided financial support to several Sweetwater Union High School District high school running programs.
Jeff and Julie Phairs were volunteer cross country and track and field coaches at Bonita Vista High School for many years. The Phairs were members of the High School Sports Association Hall of Fame and Jeff Phair was recently selected for the Bob Brietbard Meritorious Achievement Award and will be inducted into the San Diego Hall of Champions in November.
