Runners take a gamble at annual Poker Run

The race is not always to the swiftest. Apparently, a good poker hand can also bring a victory, at least for those who took part in the annual Poker Run, held as a fundraiser for the Sisters Trails Alliance.

Sisters Poker Run race director Gene Trahern reported about $700 in funds were raised to be used for further development and maintenance of the ever-expanding trail system around Sisters.

The Poker Run attracted about 40 runners, many from outside the state, who ventured out from the Village Green Park on either a 21- or 34-mile course.

At each of the six aid stations, runners drew cards to add to their poker hands and were allowed to use the best five of those six cards to form a winning combination.

Chip Collins, of Tualatin, who ran in the middle of the pack, came away with the victory, scoring a full house of kings and eights. The top runner in the 34-mile race finished in about five hours, although official times were not recorded.

In a random drawing, Michael Cartwright, from Bellevue, Washington, took home a hand-made quilt created by Gene's wife, Marcy Trahern.

"The run is really about coming out on a fall day and enjoying the trails and the views and each other," said Trahern. "People ran in groups and lingered at the aid stations, just having a good time together."

Trahern advertised the race in a number of publications in the West aimed at ultra runners which attracted entrants from New Mexico, Wyoming, California and a large group from the Seattle area.

"Visitors certainly outnumbered Central Oregonians, which is good for the local economy as well," he said.

Runners used much of the local trail system during the day, according to Trahern.

The course this year consisted of mostly single-track trails, many of which were recently constructed as part of the Peterson Ridge Trail expansion project. Runners climbed up Eagle Rock for the fantastic views, then up Peterson Ridge, and along Whychus Creek to connect to the Metolius Windigo Trail where they turned around near the lower snow park. On the return trip, the runners crossed Whychus Creek and used the Sisters Trail which follows the west side of the creek down to where they crossed again at the dispersed camping area near mile three on Three Creek Road.

The course then followed the new horse connector trail back to Peterson Ridge trail system and back to town. To learn more about the Sisters Trails Alliance and the trails in the area, visit http://www.sisterstrails.com.