National triathlon planned for Sisters

Scott Buckles, race director. photo by Kathryn Godsiff

Sisters' full calendar of events just got more so.

The Sisters High Cascades Off-Road Triathlon is coming to Suttle Lake on Sunday, September 7. The nationally ranked event, consisting of a one mile swim in Suttle Lake, 12 to 14 miles of mountain bike riding and six miles of trail running, promises to be a major change from the usual activities that Sisters offers through the summer.

As part of the Nissan Xterra race series, the event will draw a field of top local and national competitors. The Xterra series consists of only 30 races throughout the nation, according to Sisters race director Scott Buckles.

He considers it a major coup to have the first annual Sisters race be part of the prestigious series.

Off-road triathlon took off as a sport when Nissan released its Xterra model SUV about six years ago. The company began to sponsor a points series of races named after the SUV. Touted as the ultimate extreme vehicle, the image fit with the challenge that off-road triathlon throws at competitors.

Mother Nature can be an unforgiving hostess and race participants have to contend with icy water, trail dust, rocks and boulders as well as terrain that was never intended to be negotiated at the speeds these racers will attempt. The flip side is the feeling of accomplishment and eye-popping scenery.

Buckles feels fortunate to have Sisters Athletic Club and Sisters Rotary as major sponsors.

The event will serve as a fund-raiser for the community foundations each organization supports.

As well, each segment of the race has an enthusiastic local sponsor. Re/Max Town & Country Realty will sponsor the relay (team) section; Suttle Lake Resort, the swim; Eurosports, mountain biking; Therapeutic Associates, the trail run; and Community Mortgage Services, the finish line.

"Several things will separate this event from others," said Buckles. "The prizes are top quality and we are focusing on the participants. They are the number one people to satisfy."

The location of the race, at the Camp Davidson end of Suttle Lake, makes it spectator friendly. There will also be some good spectating sites along the bike and run courses. Suttle Lake Resort is offering the use of its party barges as swim course markers, which will double as spectator seating for the swim section.

Participants can expect to hear plenty of cheering along the way.

As with any event of this magnitude, some volunteer help will be needed.

Buckles stressed that the volunteers will be treated as well as the participants, with a party the night before to get acquainted and familiarized with assignments.

Anyone interested should contact Scott Buckles at 549-4783.

For information or to register go to http://www.sistershighcascadesort.com.