Runners conquer Black Butte for Kiwanis

For some hardy souls, running 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) straight up Black Butte sounds like a good time.

Thirty-eight runners, ranging in age from 12 to 72, turned out on Saturday morning to do just that in the inaugural Black Butte Challenge 10K Race, proceeds of which will support the Sisters Kiwanis Club scholarships and community service projects.

Runners were shuttled to the starting line just off Road 14 into Camp Sherman. At the gun, they took off, with elite runner Mario Mendoza of Bend in the lead. Mendoza simply crushed the course, making it to the finish line at the top with a time of 57:55.5.

The top female finisher was Andrea Terry with a time of 1:19:56.1.

One of the most impressive athletic feats of the race came from a runner who did not compete. Gene Trahern of Sisters ran the course on Friday to set the flags - then again on Saturday in the early morning to make sure the course flags were still in place.

Volunteers put out some considerable effort to make the race safe - if not comfortable - for the runners.

"There's a group of Kiwanians ranging in age up to almost 80 who carried the water up to the top," Kiwanian Cindy Rainey noted.

Many volunteers from Kiwanis, along with other community volunteers, worked at the two aid stations, drove the SPRD shuttle buses, and were stationed along the trail to ensure the safety of the runners and provide water. Sisters Kiwanis worked in partnership with the Sisters Ranger District on the event.

The race organizer was Matt Kirchoff of Therapeutic Associates in Sisters.

Kirchoff may see a few new clients after the grueling run. As runners trickled in to the post-race barbecue at Camp Sherman Store, they limped up to the Deschutes Brewery tent for their complementary Black Butte Porter. The consensus of the runners was that the race was "hard" - which was not news. They noted that the first four miles up to the traditional Black Butte Trailhead were especially challenging and steep. The final two miles were the "easiest" part of the race.

Kiwanis event organizer Suzy Ramsey was very pleased, noting that sponsorships ensured that the event will be successful as a fundraiser.

"We have had such wonderful, wonderful sponsors," she said. "Everything has run smoothly today. Great volunteers."

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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