These were the elite of the first wave of 170 athletes competing in the second annual Sisters High Cascades Off-Road Triathlon. About eighty spectators and volunteers cheered on from the shore and forest setting.

"It's a gorgeous venue," said Andrew Marsh, manager of the Nissan Xterra USA Points Series. "We have over 40 races in cities, deserts and all kinds of terrain. This is one of the nicest."

The swimmers cut through wind-chopped waters 800 meters around three kayak buoys placed in a triangular formation and returned to Cinder Beach. Some tagged their relay teammates to launch them into the second, cycling leg of the triathlon. Others changed into mountain biking gear for the 14-mile cycling phase.

The first few miles of cycling went along the lake. The course turned up into the forest and returned to the start and a large pen, holding bikes and other gear.

Competitors then ran five miles near Suttle Lake, again finishing at Cinder Beach.

"I always wanted to do an off-road triathlon, and this one seemed really cool because of the weather and location," said April Etter of Olympia, Washington. This was her first triathlon. She camped the night before at Link Creek Campground at the west end of Suttle Lake.

The triathlon is the brainchild of Scott Buckles of Sisters.

"The great thing about this number of people (competitors) is that next year we'll probably have twice as many. Word will spread fast," he said.

Buckles, also a triathlete, marshaled Sisters Athletic Club and Sisters Rotary Club to staff the event. Each will receive between $7,000 and $10,000.

Buckles said the final amount depends on entry money and final expenses.

Sue Yokum of Black Crater Designs in Sisters made the high performance jerseys worn by competitors. A dozen major outdoor-related service providers and manufacturers furnished equipment and food for the participants.

Sisters resident Eric Liddell made this his first triathlon.

"I always wanted to do one, and this one is convenient. My sister, two brothers and my brother-in-law are also competing," he said.

The Sisters High Cascades Off-Road Triathlon has more than twice as many participants as many of the other races in the nationwide series.

Buckles hopes to one day host the West Championship in the Sisters area, bringing in as many as 800 to 1,000 competitors.