Runners prove up to the Hoodoo Challenge

Jeff Omodt | Last updated Jul 23, 2024 9:37am0

It was a perfect day for a trail run in Central Oregon as runners gathered for the ninth annual Kiwanis Run to The Top at Hoodoo Ski Resort. Temperatures were still in the 60s as the runners set out at 8 a.m. for their 13.2 or 3.1 mile adventures.

It's a simple concept - with an evil twist. Run a 5K or half marathon trail course around the beautiful Hoodoo Ski Area then finish the last mile gaining over 1,000 feet as you climb to the top of Hoodoo Mountain.

"It's an awesome race, with a beautiful location, but it's really, really hard, a runner commented.

Photo by Jeff Omodt

The Hoodoo Challenge is a difficult run - but rewarding for all who participate. Sarah Rhodes of Eugene celebrated completing her 5K: "I did it, I really made it!"

Produced by the Kiwanis Club of Sisters, the race is gaining a reputation as one of the most difficult trail runs in the Pacific Northwest.

"We wanted to give all our runners an opportunity to challenge themselves in a beautiful scenic outdoor setting," said Race Director Matt Kirchoff .

This year marked the biggest field ever for the event with 162 entries (65 half marathoners and 97 running the 5K). Runners ranged from seven to 79 years old.

This year's race had an unexpected extra challenge for the half marathon runners. The leading runners deviated from the marked trail, adding almost 1.2 miles to the course length.

"We were surprised when the route was different from last year, but we didn't realize some of the course marking flags had been unexpectedly altered by another event," said race leader Brian Elmstead who went on to win the race for a second year in a row. He finished an astonishing 14 minutes ahead of the second place finisher Evan Moreau.

"It was really fun again this year to see entire families running together. We had a lot of couples, father-son, and mother-daughter teams this year... it was all about family runners," said Suzy Ramsey, Race Coordinator.

The race attracts a lot of repeat visitors. This year Scott Abrams of Bend completed his seventh consecutive year.

He said, "I look forward to this event every year and plan on many more, I'm only 68!"

Photo by Jeff Omodt

The Hoodoo Challenge is a family affair - with runners as young as seven and as old as 79.

The race is produced with an army of volunteers. More than 30 Kiwanis members, families, and friends spend months planning and executing all the details that need to come together to make the Challenge a good event for the runners. Local sponsors provide donations and services to make it all happen. That included this year Ray's Food Place, Hoodoo, Sisters Saloon, Therapeutic Associates, Sisters Dental, David and Laura Hiller, Berni Huggett and Jeff Omodt, Lance and Suzy Ramsey, Hank and Jan Failing, and Momentum Promo Inc.

Top finishers included

Half marathon, men:

1. Brian Eimstad, Eugene, Oregon; 1:50:28

2. Evan Moreau, Sisters; 2:04:34

3. Hale McCullough, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2:09:00

Half marathon, women

1. Alana McClements Salt Lake City; 2:23:31

2. Michele Desilva, Bend; 2:32:06

3. Liza Gallandt, Portland, Maine; 2:43:50

5K Men

1. Ryan Singleton, Sisters; 0:34:51

2. Peter Swendsen, Corvallis; 0:35:45