Running commentary...

Summer is upon us and the running calendar has been full of action for local runners, including a large contingent who participated in two very popular half-marathons, The Dirty Half and the Smith Rock Sunrise Summer Classic.

The Dirty Half, held Sunday, June 13, is the unofficial kick-off to summer running held at Phil's Trail near Bend, which may be in its last year at the site due to concerns by Forest Service managers about overuse of the area.

Two local runners, one in the youngest age group and one in the oldest, came away as division winners. Taylor Steele captured the 15-18 age group in 1:30:31, while Don Hildebrand took first place in the 70-and-over division in 2:37:31. Other local finishers included Shawn Diez 1:41:59, Erik Lund 1:55:00 (3rd in 15-18), Jennifer McCrystal 1:56:15, Jena Rickards 1:57:15, Mike Conrads 1:59:23, Trish Wren 1:59:28, Julia Rickards 2:06:53, Hayley Palmer 2:07:51, Kara Calmettes 2:12:28, Ronda McAlister 2:16:32 and Jenni Burke 2:17:35.

Last Saturday at Smith Rock Park, a record number of runners took part in the Sunrise Summer Classic, which also included 5- and 10-kilometer races as well as the half-marathon. In all, over 700 racers braved the 6:15 a.m. starting time, including Trish Wren 1:52:30, Char Sundstrom 1:59:52, Donna Marshall 2:03:45, Angela Sitz 2:05:48, Jamie Vohs 2:07:01, Tammy Gill 2:18:29, Renee May 2:48:25 as a racewalker, Chris Brophy 2:48:42, Maggie Saslow 2:49:08 and Jodi Nelson 2:17:30.

In the world of ultra-marathons, which means anything over the marathon distance of 26.2 miles, two local runners drew national attention with victories. On June 17, Ashley Nordell, 30, won the prestigious Bighorn 100 Miler in 20 hours, 7 minutes and 14 seconds, which was 12th overall and especially impressive considering the race course averages about 10,000 feet of elevation.

Sean Meissner took on a stage race around the same time near Moab, Utah, comprised of five stages ranging from nine miles to 52 miles over six days, totaling 140. He came away with a victory of his own with a combined time of 23 hours and 42 minutes. Meissner built up a lead of about 40 minutes over the first three stages, but runner-up Michael of Texas chipped away at Meissner and made the race a bit more exciting, with Meissner coming through with a 12-minute win, which isn't much over 140 total miles.

The first Recycle Run, a benefit for Sisters Habitat for Humanity, gave some locals and visitors a chance to get in a fun run early on the Fourth of July. Race director Jena Rickards reported a total of 33 walkers and runners between the 5-kilometer and 8-kilometer distances.

"For the first year, I think we achieved our goal of making a fun event on the local trails that everyone could enjoy," she said.

Summer running opportunities

The Sisters High School cross country team hosts community runs every Monday and Friday morning at 8:15 a.m. from the Village Green Park and Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. from the Tollgate pool. All ages are welcome and distances are determined by whoever shows up.

The team conducted its annual running and rafting camp along the McKenzie River in late June, and more than half of the 23 participants covered the entire 26 miles of the scenic McKenzie River Trail during the three-day camp. If you have never explored the trail, it is less than 35 miles from Sisters to reach the trailhead above Clear Lake. More information is available at www.

mckenzierivertrail.com.

The Web sites for FootZone and Fleet Feet running stores in Bend list all of the local upcoming running events in the Central Oregon region for those looking for a race. The next race in Sisters is September 19's Stride into Autumn Run. The next closest race is the Haulin' Aspen marathon and half-marathon August 8 at Shevlin Park.

I will be toeing the line this weekend at the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival Run near Whitman College, where my daughter Erin studies. I've been to Corn Festivals, Bean Festivals and Strawberry Festivals, but this is my first onion run. So, six months into my running calendar, I am still at it, although I really need to step up the mileage again so that I can enjoy some of my favorite wilderness trail runs that I have done in years gone by. I'd love to be able to attempt the Park Meadow to Green Lakes run, but right now I will have to settle for a shorter run into Canyon Creek Meadow or up Tam McArthur Rim.

If you would like to contact me with your comments on running in the Sisters area, please write to me at

[email protected]