The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Central Oregon is known for its plethora of trails and backroads used by runners, cyclists, and other recreationalists, but surprisingly a 100-mile foot race has never been part of the trail-running scene in the region. Until this year.

The first annual Oregon Cascades 100, organized by Alpine Running, started at 6 a.m. Saturday morning, August 28, from Pacific Trail Middle School in Bend and wended its way through the Mrazek trails, past Swampy Lakes and Dutchman, Skyliner’s trail and over to Park Meadow, before descending to Sisters.

The first finisher crossed the line at the Sisters Middle School track over 18 hours later under clear, starry skies.

The latter portion of the race included large stretches of the Sisters Trails Alliance system as well as part of the Metolius-Windigo trail.

Sisters Trails Alliance (STA) is a beneficiary of some of the donated proceeds of the race and members of STA helped man an aid station on the Brooks-Scanlon Road near Eagle Rock.

Alpine Running is dedicated to supporting STA for all the work they do to provide trail opportunities for residents and visitors to the area, according to Janessa Taylor, codirector of the race and co-owner of Alpine Running.

Weather conditions were quite favorable for the runners as highs didn’t reach beyond 70 degrees during the daytime and the air quality, impacted negatively for weeks due to Oregon wildfires, remained good. Temperatures dipped into the low 40s overnight, but that didn’t appear to bother the winner, Blake Hilty, a 39-year-old from Seattle.

“The weather was great, only a bit hot for a short while,” he said, “and the course was great. I am very happy with the event. The support was great. I loved it.”

The race was only Hilty’s second 100-miler, and he had to smile when he realized that by winning the inaugural staging of the race he automatically became the course record holder.

“I guess I can enjoy that for at least one year,” he said.

Hilty’s official time was 18 hours, 39 minutes.

The women’s winner, Erin Brunner, also of Seattle, finished in 22 hours, 31 minutes.

Runners had up to 32 hours to complete the course.

Approximately 200 people registered for the event, but that total number of finishers was not available at press time. Results can be found at Ultrasignup.com.

Alpine Running started five years ago by Taylor, who lives in Redmond, and Trevor Hostetler of Portland, with a focus on trail races ranging from 13.1 miles to 100 miles.

“Most of our races are mountain runs at this point, but they are all over, including one out near Sumpter, another up on the Santiam Pass. Alpine Running also operates the Three Sisters Skyline 50k (31.1 miles) and half-marathon (13.1 miles) that is based in Sisters. The “Run the Rock” races series takes place in November and covers two days and four distances including a half marathon, a 50k, a 20-mile, and a 50-mile.

James Holk

Long-distance runners navigated Sisters Country’s rugged terrain, enduring a 100-mile race with spectacular views.

Taylor sees the race as a win for everyone involved. “STA is the sole beneficiary financially from this race,” she said. “They do such important work and we are able to have access to their trails, so it naturally makes sense for us to support them. And honestly, having members of STA actually on the course helping with the aid stations is another way for their members to come together.”

Taylor, who coaches Ridgeview High School’s cross-country team, noted that racers came from well beyond the local area, bringing tourist dollars to Sisters and Bend.

“People love coming to this part of Oregon, and having an event like this draws people in from all over, which is a good thing for the economy,” Taylor said.

Taylor and Hostetler will be back in Sisters for the Three Sisters Skyline trail races, which include a half-marathon on Saturday, September 25, and a 50-kilometer run on Sunday, September 26. More information can be found at http://www.alpinerunning.com. The Skyline races will benefit Sisters Trails Alliance.