Trail runners battle wind in Rumble

Sunday April 8 dawned with a tempest brewing. Strong winds from the west combined with sleety rain, causing an instant chill for anyone out in it. But by the time the 16th annual Peterson Ridge Rumble trail run began, the clouds had parted and the wind died down a bit, eliminating the threat of hypothermia for runners and spectators.

"You never know what you are going to get in April in Sisters," said Race Director Sean Meissner. "It actually turned out much better than the weather forecast, which had called for heavy rain, and we barely had a sprinkle."

This year's edition of the Rumble included some adjustments to the course for the 40-mile race, while the 20-mile route remained intact, according to Meissner.

"We had to lop off about six miles of the long course due to the burn from last summer up on Whychus Creek," he said. "We called it a 35-mile race, although it was a bit shorter than that."

The 35-mile ultra-runners left the start in two waves, one at 7 a.m. and the other at 8 a.m. based on expected finish times, with slower paced entrants starting at the earlier time. The popular 20-mile course, which included the majority of the 490 starters for the day, began at 9 a.m.

Starting where Edgington Road intersects with Highway 242, both courses proceed onto the Peterson Ridge Trail system via the Brooks-Scanlon Road. The 20-mile course is out and back, while the "40"-mile course includes an added section southwest of Sisters. Both courses finish at Sisters Middle School.

Winners of the races received $100, as did masters (40+) winners, while $50 went to the runners-up.

The race was sold out again this year, thanks in large part to loyal returnees as well as newcomers to the race. While the majority of the entrants come from Oregon, the race always includes runners from out of state.

"The majority of the runners come from outside the area, which is good for the Sisters Country economy," said Meissner.

Todd Bosworth of Eugene, competing in his sixth Rumble, brought along his companion, Rubi, an Airedale poodle mix, for the first time and felt satisfied with the day for both himself and the dog.

"Today was tough," he said. "I think the little ridge over Eagle Rock was steeper than past years - not sure how that happened," he said, laughing. "Rubi did great in her longest run ever and I am certainly planning to come back again next year."

While no stranger to the area, it was Zander Albertson's first time running the Rumble. A 2010 Sisters High graduate, Zander helped as a volunteer with the cross-country team in past years, but made the trek to his hometown for the race.

"It went really well for me," he said. "I actually finished a little better than I thought I would, although that last couple of miles down Edgington with the wind in my face was a challenge." Albertson finished in 3:10:30

Now an adjunct professor at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Albertson has his sights on a 50-kilometer race in the future.

Director Meissner started the Rumble in 2003 when he resided in Sisters, and the race has grown to be one of the most popular and well-loved trail races in Oregon. Meissner, now living in Durango, Colorado with his wife of nine months, has a strong bond with the Outlaws' cross-country team and relies on the squad to help as volunteers on the course and at the finish line.

Josh Nordell, head coach of the team, deployed team members and parents to road crossings, aide stations, and anywhere help was needed.

"The kids and their families are great about coming out and helping with the event," he said. "The racers love having young runners out there helping out and cheering them on."

The overall winner of the men's race, Jared Bassett, 27, of Bend, cruised through the course in 2:02:18, over 11 full minutes ahead of the runner-up Ryan McLaughlin, also of Bend, who finished in 2:13:99.

The women's 20-mile winner, Janine Arthur, 39, of Corvallis (2:40:28), had a much narrower victory, finishing 1 minute and 2 seconds ahead of her closest challenger, Anna Wetzel of Portland. Arthur placed 26th overall among 333 finishers.

Ryan Bak, 36, of Bend, won the long course in 3:53:41, while Kyle Curtin of Durango, Colorado placed second in 4:15:17.

Amy Thorson, 29, of Moscow, Idaho placed 11th overall as the first female across the line in a time of 4:54:46. Cassie Knight of Portland, also 29, was just over two minutes behind as the second-place finisher among females in 4:56:56.

Local finishers included Angela Sitz (3:18:06); Scott Bulloch (3:40:23); Annie Winter (3:46:38); Ramon Alonso (4:06:27); and Eugene Trahern (4:14:55). Dave Isbell of Sisters ran the 35-mile course in 6:34:30 and finished in 72nd place.

Meissner felt quite pleased with how the day unfolded.

"The wind made it a challenge at times, but it was another great day to have a bunch of runners out on the trails and dirt roads of Sisters," he said.