Local runner wins Crater Lake Marathon

Sisters runner Sean Meissner came away with a surprise victory at the annual Crater Lake Marathon August 2, when the leader took a wrong turn in the final two miles.

The 33rd edition in what is considered Oregon's toughest road marathon may have had it's most peculiar finish as Chuck Engle, who had led nearly the entire race and had built an insurmountable lead missed a turn at mile 24, despite it being clearly marked.

"Apparently he ignored the cones and the race officials and just kept going straight rather than making the turn," said Meissner.

Meissner sensed he was in the lead with two miles to go, but wasn't sure what happened to the leader.

"I thought maybe he had gone off into the bushes and that I had gone by him," said Meissner. "I ran the last two miles hard once I thought I had the lead because I know for sure that someone was close behind me."

Meissner finished in 2 hours 55 minutes and 47 seconds.

"It's a challenging race due to the terrain and the elevation," he said, "so I was very happy to get under three hours."

Meissner typically takes part in even longer races and had only run Crater Lake one time previously.

"Overall, it was my best marathon ever," he said. "I am strong on the climbs, so I was able to move from sixth place to second between miles 9-14 which are all uphill.

"I feel bad that Engle went the wrong way," said Meissner. "He had such a big lead, he deserved to win."

True to his ultra-marathoner nature, Meissner came back to Central Oregon and ran the "Haulin' Aspen" marathon in Bend the next day, where he finished 10th in 3:22:13.

Two days later, he climbed the South Sister with some members of the Sisters High School cross country team.

"After the climb, I was a little sore and took it easy for a few days," he said.

Meissner is scheduled to take part in the Trans-Rockies Stage Race in Colorado, a six-day event in which he will run 15-25 miles per day with his Buddy Matt Hart. The race starts in Buena Vista on August 25 and ends in Beavercreek August 31, and includes thousands of feet of elevation gain and loss.

"I'm feeling ready and really excited to do the Stage Race with Matt," he said.