Rim Rock Farm donated to KU

By Brooke Wehner     Apr 13, 2005

Richard Gwin/Journal-World Photo
Bob Timmons, the former Kansas University track coach who created the Rim Rock Farm in Jefferson County, walks near silhouettes of Jim Ryun and Billy Mills, both former KU standouts. Timmons has deeded the property to the Kansas University Endowment Association.

Bob Timmons has spent more than three decades perfecting his Rim Rock Farm by adding ponds, trees and bridges that have made the cross country course one of the best in the nation.

It’s been home to the Kansas University cross country team, conference and national college championships and high school meets.

“I have all kinds of memories,” Timmons said at the course Tuesday. “I think it’s been a good thing all around. We’ve enjoyed being around, and I think KU has enjoyed the course, too.”

Now, the former KU track coach is ensuring future generations of runners can continue to enjoy running on the rolling hills of Jefferson County. He announced Tuesday that he and his wife, Pat, donated the course to the KU Endowment Association, which in turn will lease the property to KU.

The farm — which consists of more than 100 acres valued at $500,000 — can be configured into eight different courses.

“We’re flattered he’d trust us enough to hand it over,” said Tim Weaver, meet director for KU cross country and track and field. “It’s a unique course. It’s as well known as any in the country.”

John Scarffe, an Endowment Association spokesman, said the land was deeded to the association in the past month.

Timmons served as an assistant track and field coach at KU in 1964 before becoming head coach in 1965. He retired in 1988 after leading KU to 13 Big 8 indoor and 14 Big 8 outdoor titles, three NCAA indoor track titles and a tie for the 1970 NCAA outdoor championship.

Rim Rock has been home to three Big 8 cross country championships and hosted the 1998 NCAA Division I and Division II championships. It also hosts state high school championships.

Timmons and his wife purchased the land, which is in southeast Jefferson County, in the early 1970s. At the time, KU was looking for a permanent cross country home; teams had been running on west campus, at Lone Star Lake and at the Lawrence and Alvamar country clubs.

Back then, the site was heavily wooded and had to be cleared by student volunteers before it could be first used for competition in 1974.

In the years since, the Timmonses have added six ponds in addition to the one already at the course. It also has two covered bridges and more evergreen trees than before. They also added steel silhouettes of former KU track stars, including Jim Ryun, Billy Mills, Johnny Lawson, Wes Santee, Herb Semper and Al Frame.

Career at KU: Began as assistant track and field coach in 1964. Was head coach from 1965 until his retirement in 1988.Accomplishments: 13 Big 8 indoor and 14 Big 8 outdoor titles, three NCAA indoor track titles and tie for the 1970 NCAA outdoor championship.

“There was an awful lot of work,” Timmons said. “It’s taken quite a while to put it all together.”

Weaver said KU had already held meetings to ensure Rim Rock would receive proper upkeep. It could take three or four staff members to match the work the couple have completed at the site.

“I couldn’t imagine how many dollars and how much time Coach and Pat have invested in the course,” Weaver said. “It’s been a labor of love for the Timmonses.”

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