Local runner completes Trans-Rockies race

Sean Meissner of Sisters and his running partner Matt Hart of Seattle placed eighth in the second annual Trans-Rockies Stage Race in Colorado last week.

The race includes six stages ranging from 10 to 24 miles over six days of competition.

As the name indicates, the race traverses 100 miles in the Rocky Mountains.

"On a number of the days we started at elevations higher than the South Sister," said Meissner.

The highest point of the course was over 13,000 feet and the "lowest" was in the mid 8,000-foot range, according to Meissner.

"I had some trouble with the altitude, especially the first couple of days, but I acclimated over time," he said.

One of the rules of the race was to stay within two minutes of your partner at all times. Meissner discovered by the last day that he and Hart would have finished stronger if they had separated a bit more instead of staying together all the time.

"Matt is faster on the down hills and I am stronger going up, so we could have caught each other and been more efficient rather than always adjusting to the other's pace," he said.

Still, the pair, sponsored by Montrail, finished eighth overall among 75 teams. Complete results were not available, but another pair with Oregon connections, Max King of Bend and his partner from Ashland were the overall champions.

The race started in Buena Vista, Colorado, and ended in Beavercreek.

After each day's run the competitors would eat, hang out in camp, visit and rest for the next stage.

"It was by far the most enjoyable running experience I have ever had, and I've had a lot," said Meissner. "The organizers did a fabulous job of setting up camp for us, preparing excellent food, and making the courses work out."

Getting to know other people over the seven days made it especially satisfying, and of course the scenery was breathtaking, according to Meissner.

"You really have the chance to interact because you are all together for the week, so it's fun to sit in camp in these beautiful places and tell war stories about the day's course," he said.

With the highlight of his summer behind him, Meissner is heading back to work at Fleet Feet in Bend and planning the Pine Mountain Hill Climb scheduled for Sunday, September 14.

The 11.5-mile race, which serves as a fund-raiser for the non-profit observatory east of Bend, is on dirt roads and a bit of single track and includes 2,500 vertical feet of climbing. The point-to-point race actually ends at the observatory and is not nearly as taxing as other hill climbs in the area, like Sunrise to Summit.

Both runners and walkers are welcome. The Web site for registration is http://www.fleetfeetbend.com/pinemtn. The observatory is opening its campground the night before and will show some movies for campers since a full moon that evening will inhibit star-gazing.