Tyler Goens approaches the finish line tape in winning the Pear Blossom Run 10-mile event Saturday morning in Medford.

For the first time in years, the men’s 10-mile race has never felt quite as open as Saturday’s 48th annual Pear Blossom Run on Saturday morning.

The question was about who would step up and set the tone with no clear favorite at the starting line here in Medford.

Max King, last year’s champion and eight-time winner of the race, along with Cole Watson, the course-record holder, were both not entered in the Pear Blossom Run, causing some to be in the unfamiliar territory of leading the pack and getting off to a slower start than maybe in past years.

It was something that Tyler Goens took advantage of with a move to take the lead after the first mile and never relenting to secure the victory in a time of 58 minutes, 48.7 seconds for his second win in the event.

“I guess it was my lucky day,” said Goens. “No Max King, no Cole Watson and a lot of high schoolers are in track season right now, so I got a little lucky today.”

After the first mile, the 33-year-old Goens did not feel that his lead was in much jeopardy, with his confidence growing the longer he wasn’t challenged in the field of 410 people. It wasn’t until about halfway through the race that he could gauge of how stretched out the race was between challengers.

“I pushed it hard early and just hung on, I tried not to look back for the first half,” he said. “But when I saw I had about 100 yards on the next guy, I tried to make up a little more distance on Hanley Hill, which always tests you.”

Finishing in second place in the men’s 10-mile run was Matthew Kidwell at 59:46.8, just a minute under Goens’ winning time after the two were the only sub-hour finishers.

Rounding out the top-5 finishers in the race was Matt Langella (1:00:28.8), Luke Parks (1:02:28.6) and Hal Koerner (1:03:57.8).

Even with some of the big names missing, Pear Blossom race director Chuck Whiteley was happy to see a local runner like Goens prevail.

“It left it open for someone new to win and that’s terrific,” said Whiteley. “This has been an amazing day with a great turnout and I’m glad he came out for it.”

The Grants Pass resident also was able to experience his victory in reality this time around. Back in 2021, Goens took the title in the virtual race by submitting a video of a run with a pace around a 6:30 mile.

He viewed it as a surprise in winning the 2021 virtual race amid a smaller turnout for it, but was even more caught off guard with his victory in real life, understanding what it takes to win after watching the winners over the past five years.

“It’s just a dream come true to win this race,” Goens said with a smile, “because with just the history here in this city and all the greats who run this race, I feel like I don’t really belong with the Max Kings and Cole Watsons in winning this, so it was just a lot of fun and an honor to win.”

“It’s obviously way better winning it in person,” he added. “There are so many great fans, great people and the course itself. This is such a great event and to win the real one is really cool.”

Winning a race like the Pear Blossom was never on his bucket list growing up. Goens’ primary sport was soccer, where he played at North Valley High School and continued collegiately at Simpson University in Redding, California.

Goens picked up running to get back into shape after college and found an appreciation for the individual competition that the sport offers.

“It’s fun because running is not a team sport, so it is all on you,” he said. “It’s your own success and failures, I just enjoy that about running.”

Most undoubtedly, his victory on Saturday will be one to remember.

Pear Blossom Run

Saturday’s Men’s Results (Top 10)

10-MILE: 1, Tyler Goens, 58:48.7; 2, Matthew Kidwell, 59:46.8; 3, Matt Langella, 1:00:28.8; 4, Luke Parks, 1:02:28.6; 5, Hal Koerner, 1:03:57.8; 6, Jon Buel, 1:03:57.8; 7, Neil Olsen, 1:04:52.9; 8, Kyle Carson, 1:04:52.9; 9, Robert Julian Jr., 1:05:05.5; 10, Martin Alvarado, 1:05:10.0.

5K: 1, Logan Huffman, 16:37.1; 2, Cole Hale, 18:45.3, Jonathan Santarelli, 18:49.6; 4, Zane Messer, 19:07.1; 5, Jackson Muffler, 19:12.0; 6, Weslee MacLeod, 19:25.2; 7, Damian Mezquite, 19:32.3; 8, Jaren Emptage, 19:40.6; 9, Jeff Morgan, 19:45.6; 10, Joshua Danks, 19:54.3.