Local runner wins Peterson Ridge Rumble

Ashley Nordell, an accomplished ultra-marathon runner who recently moved to Sisters, took top honors right here in her own new backyard, winning the Peterson Ridge Rumble 60 kilometer trail race Sunday, April 11.

Nordell covered the course in five hours, one minute and 32 seconds to place 11th overall and eight minutes ahead of the second female finisher.

The race turned into a family affair for Nordell, as her husband, Josh, finished a close second in the 30-kilometer portion of the race, and her father, Peter Idema, of Corvallis, placed fourth among runners over 50 years old.

The race, in its eighth year, is directed by Sisters resident Sean Meissner, who said that a record field of runners coupled with good trail conditions and great weather added up to another successful year.

"People come from all over Oregon and Washington to run this race, which is great for our local economy," he said. "Participants indicated they were very satisfied with their experience here in Sisters."

Proceeds from the race benefit the Sisters High School cross-country team that provided many of the volunteers on the course.

The overall winner of the 60-kilometer race, Yassine Diboun of Portland, averaged an impressive 6:59-per-mile pace to win in 4:15:16, twenty-two minutes ahead of Jeff Browning of Bend.

Local finishers included Gary Thompson (2:31:34), Ashleigh Thomas (3:37:41), Char Sundstrom (3:37:42), Amy Davis (3:49:31), Gene Trahern (4:06:47), Garrett Trahern - the youngest finisher at age 15 (4:06:47), and Don Hildebrand - the oldest finisher at age 78 (4:41:44).