Sisters triathlon tests athletes

Elite athletes from 15 states dove into Suttle Lake last Sunday in the first leg of the Sisters High Cascades Off Road Triathlon.

The 1,000-meter swim was just the start of a challenging course. Next, athletes headed uphill to get their bikes for a 17-mile mountain bike ride. The last leg of the event was a hilly 10K trail run. Athletes raced through rough terrain from logging roads to sand and rocks. They entered individually or as a three-person relay team and competed for a total prize purse of $3,000. The triathlon is part of the international Nissan Xterra race series.

Organizer Scott Buckles said the race has grown into a top-notch sporting event in its three years.

“We had four bonafide pros here,” said Buckles, who noted that the overall winner, Mike Vine from Victoria, British Columbia, is the top triathlete in the world.

Approximately 165 people entered this year.

“They’ll discover all this area has to offer,” said Buckles. “We just have such a perfect place for it here.”

One athlete who left enthused by Sisters hospitality is Bobby McMullen.

While triathletes often suffer falls and injuries, McMullen’s experience is anything but common. McMullen has no vision in his left eye and can barely see shapes with the right eye. His sight declined as a complication from diabetes while he was in law school.

“I can’t do a race without falling,” said McMullen who called Suttle Lake’s bike trail a “knuckle buster.”

The 42-year-old massage therapist from Redding, California, has endured years of physical challenges. He has undergone two kidney and pancreas transplants. He broke his left leg badly — twice. But through it all, he’s remained an avid mountain biker, skier and triathlete.

McMullen said the best thing about last weekend’s race was the friendly reception that he and his girlfriend found in Sisters.

“We have so fallen in love with that community of yours,” said McMullen. He appreciated being treated “like family” since he needed a hand to get through the challenging terrain. Sisters kayaker Rob Durand led the way for McMullen’s swim. Runner Mark Yoakum ran the trail for him since McMullen has an injured ankle.

“The guy runs like a deer!” praised McMullen. Also, a long-time friend biked ahead of McMullen calling out directions. They finished third out of six entries in the team category. McMullen was sponsored by Tate Metcalf of Sisters Athletic Club.

McMullen has been a jock since high school and his physical challenges haven’t changed his love of sports.

“It’s that passion I have, and I think it’s important for every, every person to have that passion no matter what it is,” said McMullen.

That passion has resulted in remarkable results in other Xterra triathlons where he competes in his age category, rather than as “disabled.” He has won various championships through the years and was on the U.S. Disabled Alpine Ski Team.

McMullen said last Sunday’s triathlon “ran like clockwork” and credits the organizers for the professional competition.

Scott Buckles, who normally works as a real estate appraiser, volunteers hundreds of hours coordinating the race because he endured poorly run races when he competed.

“I was just a frustrated racer,” said Buckles.

The Rotary Club of Sisters started him off with seed money three years ago and is now the event’s Title Sponsor. Buckles also thanks race sponsors RE\MAX Town & County Realty, Therapeutic Associates, Community Mortgage Services, Blodgett Dentistry and Eurosports.

Buckles said the quilt show, folk festival and other events are great for the town but he thinks the community will benefit from an athletic event to “show off the natural beauty” of the Sisters area.

The top Sisters finisher was Greg Zadow with an impressive time of 2:33:03 putting him in 30th place. Finishing in 41st place was Rob Corrigan. Eric Spencer of Sisters also competed.

The Nissan Xterra Points Series consists of more than 50 races in the United States. Top finishers in regional and national championships are invited to compete at the Nissan Xterra World Championship in Maui, Hawaii.