RIM ROCK FARM The University of Kansas hosts its home cross country meets at historic Rim Rock Farm, northwest of Lawrence. Before being donated to KU in 2004, the property was owned by former head track and field and cross country coach Bob Timmons and has been the home of the Jayhawks since the 1974 season.
In the fall of 2006, Rim Rock Farm played host to its first Big 12 Cross Country Conference Championships. Rim Rock Farm hosted the Big Eight Cross Country Championships in 1983, 1991 and 1995, and was also the site of the 1998 NCAA Division I and II Cross Country Championships as well as numerous Kansas high school state meets.
Any runner or spectator will say that the course is quite challenging and unusual. In addition to having two covered bridges as part of the course, Rim Rock Farm also features specific hills, turns and other landmarks that are named after former Jayhawk greats. Dispersed throughout the course are silhouette statues of seven legendary Jayhawk distance runners including Herb Semper, Al Frame, John Lawson and Olympians Billy Mills, Wes Santee, Glenn Cunningham and Jim Ryun.
Rim Rock Farm is home of the Jayhawks, but also home to former Kansas runner Steve Heffernan. After donating the course to KU, Timmons made sure that the cozy house in the middle of the farm had a full-time tenant. Heffernan is currently responsible for the farm’s upkeep, while also serving as head coach of cross country and track and field at Lawrence Free State High School.
Rim Rock Farm was the vision of Coach Timmons, who, during his 23-year tenure, won two cross country conference championships. “There is something for everyone at Rim Rock Farm,” Timmons said. “Parents are afforded the opportunity to walk around throughout the course and find all the wonderful places to observe. Spectators can catch the runners three or four times throughout the event and explore the different elevations. And the runners can navigate a course that will challenge them with its obstacles and amaze them with its beauty. That’s what makes Rim Rock Farm so exciting.” KING’S BRIDGE
Directions to Rim Rock Farm: Those traveling to Rim Rock from the Kansas Turnpike are advised to take the East Lawrence exit and then travel north on Kansas Highway 24/59 (which curves to the west) for approximately 2.5 miles before turning right (north) on the asphalt road at the Midland Store. Approximately 2.5 miles later, watch for an abandoned natural gas station on the right and make a left turn (west) at that point onto a gravel road. About .25 miles ahead, make a right turn and follow the gravel road approximately 1.33 miles (north) to the course. Maps are available through the cross country office by calling (785) 864-3486 or by visiting www.kuathletics.com. GLENN CUNNINGHAM FINISH
56 2008 JAYHAWK CROSS COUNTRY
