Race rumbles through its ninth year

The annual Peterson Ridge Rumble trail run included changes in its ninth edition as the distances for both categories were rounded up to an even 20 and 40 miles. The added distance appeared to have no negative impact on the 310 total participants, who seemed to literally take it all in stride, according to race director Sean Meissner.

Local racer Josh Nordell came through with a win in the 20-mile race, finishing in 2 hours, 16 minutes and 13 seconds. After trailing much of the race, Nordell popped into first place in the final three miles, redeeming himself after a runner-up finish last year.

The top two females ran in together, with Pam Bradbury of Bend named the winner in 2:29:34, one second ahead of Chrissy Ruiter, also of Bend.

The 40-mile race came down to the final couple of miles as well, with Dan Olmstead of Eugene reeling in last year's winner, Yassine Diboun, to win in a speedy 4:26:26. Diboune finished in 4:27:20. Olmstead averaged 6:39 per mile over the course that covered the Peterson Ridge Trail as well as some of the Sisters trail system southwest of Sisters.

Joelle Vaught of Boise won the women's 40-mile race in 4:58:17, nearly an hour ahead of second-place Tia Gabalita of Corvallis, who finished in 5:51:25.

The Rumble serves as a fundraiser for the Sisters High School cross country team, which provided volunteers on the course and at the finish.

"I am so proud of the 13 Sisters residents who took part in the race this year and hope that number continues to grow," said Meissner. "The volunteers were great and I feel blessed by the feeling of community surrounding this event."

Two Sisters residents, Gene Trahern and 79-year-old Don Hildebrand, have run all nine Peterson Ridge Rumbles, according to Meissner. Complete results are available at http://www.runwildadventures.com.