OGLE COUNTY — Are you a runner or know someone who is? If so, you’ll be interested in the OC Running Crew.
The group wants to expand running opportunities in Ogle County so people feel safe, welcomed and interested in sharing miles with like-minded people. The OC stands for Ogle County and has a Facebook page, Instagram feed and Strava page, @OCRunningCrew, where you can learn about group runs, find a description of every running trail in the county and ask questions about gear, nutrition and upcoming races.

They’ve hosted a Christmas lights run in Byron for the last two years where they run approximately 4 miles through subdivisions looking at the best light displays and a New Year’s Day run in Oregon to kick off the year right.  Other events have been trail runs at Lowden Miller State Forest and the Byron Forest Preserve.
Last year some members of group participated in the OC Running Crew Gravel Road Marathon which started and finished in Adeline on Dec. 14.  Those hardy runners traveled 26.2 miles of mostly gravel roads on a brisk and windy day over the rolling hills and back roads of Maryland and Leaf River Townships. Organizer Chris Remhof from Byron had finisher medals made and Runners Image of Rockford donated finisher gifts.
Remhof and his wife Terry, lifelong residents of the area, started the group in 2018 hoping to bring together runners from all corners of Ogle County. The OC Running Crew welcomes all paces and encourages those interested in running, whether roads or trails, to check out the Facebook group for more information
“When I served on the County Board and drove around reviewing zoning issues, you got a sense for how big and different each part of the county is.  I want runners in Forreston to check out Skare Park in Rochelle, Byron runners to let loose on the Joe Stengel Trail outside Polo and for everyone to enjoy all the different places we have to run either on pavement, trails or gravel roads,” Remhof explained.