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Sisters, Oregon
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Despite hurdles, Xterra event goes on
By Charlie Kanzig

Professional athlete Katherine Zambrana won the women's race. photo by Valerie Wells

Wildfires changed the venue and the nature of the Xterra High Cascades Off-Road Triathlon, but despite many obstacles the newly dubbed "duathlon" took place Sunday, September 7, at the Upper Three Creek Sno-park.

Race organizer Scott Buckles had to scramble for a new site for the event -- which was originally scheduled to take place at and around Suttle Lake -- after wildfires tore through the area in mid-August.

The swim section of the triathlon had to be eliminated and Buckles made the switch to a run-bike-run format known as a duathlon. The course included two five kilometer runs with a 20 kilometer mountain bike ride sandwiched in the middle.

The two title sponsors were Sisters Athletic Club and the Sisters Rotary Club who provided seed money for the event.

When all was said and done, a total of 61 individuals and four teams competed in the race. The highlight of the race, according to Buckles, was having Katherine Zambrana, a professional triathlete from Colorado win the women's division and finish sixth overall.

Zambrana was timed at one hour 40 minutes and 33 seconds (1:40:33).

"It was great having an entrant of her stature come join us for our first year at this," he said.

The men's competition didn't go so smoothly, as the pack of leaders made a wrong turn during the bike leg.

The eventual winner, Todd Gottfried of Valencia, California, didn't know he was in the lead until well into the bike leg.

Apparently about a dozen riders went off course ahead of him.

Gottfried was timed in one hour 32 minutes and 8 seconds (1:32:08).

The top local finisher was Greg Zadow who finished fourth with a time of one hour, 36 minutes and 58 seconds (1:36:58).

"It was a great race and I'm already looking forward to next year," said Sisters finisher Mark Keel. "Scott did a great job of pulling it all together and it should be a wonderful event for our community."

Keel, who coaches the Sisters High School mountain bike club team sees the event as a great introduction to triathlons for his athletes.

Despite the troubles, Buckles reported that most everyone came away satisfied with the event. Buckles sees the potential in making the event an annual affair that is certain to grow.

"It was really an outstanding success considering the circumstances," said Buckles. "I've gotten a bunch of positive emails already, so I'm feeling pretty good."

"Singed, but not burned out‚ might be our motto for next year," said Buckles. "And, it will be a triathlon next year."

Adam Long won the grand prize raffle of a trip for two to Hawaii.

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