John Craig ski race draws a crowd

And they're off...

This year's John Craig Memorial Ski Race drew a record crowd.

Close to 300 skiers ventured up the McKenzie Pass for the John Craig Memorial Ski Race and Mail Carry on Saturday, March 24.

From Olympians to recreational skiers, the event offered something for everyone.

Events included races of 20 kilometers in both classic and freestyle, a 10-kilometer classic, a junior 5-kilometer classic, a 3-kilometer kids classic, and the 30-kilometer mail carry that passes the grave and memorial of the race's namesake. Others toured at their leisure.

The historic race, held in memory of pioneer John Craig, who died in the winter of 1877-78 while attempting to cross the Cascades with a backpack full of Christmas mail from the Willamette Valley, was established in 1934.

It floundered over the years, but has been running continuously since 1972.

Olympians Justin Wadsworth and Suzanne King, who won the men's and women's 20-kilometer freestyle respectively, were among some notable entrants.

The field also included 81-year-old Gordon Riggs from Sams Valley, Oregon, who has participated in the race since 1980.

"I got across the finish line, and that's good," he said.

Due to the high volume of entrants, complete results were unavailable at press time. Results will be posted at the club's website at http://www.tumalolanglauf.com and mailed to all entrants.

Another long-time participant, Alice Greth of Bend, first took part in the race in 1969.

"I was born in Central Oregon in 1930," she said. "I'm happy to still be able to do this."

The races begin at the snow gate on the east side of the McKenzie Pass and follow the highway up and over the summit, making it one of the most scenic courses in the west, according to race director Bob Havard of the Tumalo Langlauf Ski Club, which is a chapter of the Oregon Nordic Club.

The Sisters Sno-Gofers, a local snowmobile club, helped groom the course the day before the race.

"We couldn't have asked for better volunteers," said Havard.

The Sno-Gofers had a little extra work after a couple of renegade snowmobilers broke out onto the closed course late Friday, destroying some of the set ski tracks.

Following the competitions, participants were treated to a banquet at Sisters High School, which featured lunch, $6,000 of raffle prizes, and awards for race division winners.

Tonya Littlehales, manager of the Sisters Chamber of Commerce, volunteered at the start and finish line, and helped with the awards ceremony as well.

"I got involved after being contacted by the ski club," she said. "What a great event."