Runners rumble through Sisters

Last updated 4/16/2024 at 9:44am

Photo by Charlie Kanzig

Aria Bloom gave a thumbs up as she ran the Peterson Ridge Rumble course in Sisters.

After more than 20 years of directing the annual Peterson Ridge Rumble trail race, Sean Meissner doesn't take ideal weather for granted. After days of rain finally abated and gave way to near-perfect weather conditions for endurance athletes, over 300 runners took part in the race's three distances, 20, 26, and 40 miles on Sunday.

"It's always a bonus when the weather is good," said Meissner.

Last year's deep snow resulted in the 40-mile race being shortened to 26 miles and Meissner decided to make it a new choice for runners who wanted to do a marathon distance.

Ryan McLaughlin of Bend topped the field of 179 finishers in the 20-mile course with a time of 2:16:16, while Emma McCurry of West Linn came through first for women, and fourth overall, in 2:33:29.

Runners with local ties included Aria Blumm, a 2014 Sisters High graduate and star runner, who finished in 3:13:09, and Beau Fitzke, now of Bend, clocked 3:27:25.

In the marathon distance, Adam Schaeffer of Salem crossed the line first in 3:22:12, in a field of 64 total finishers. Rachel Peters of Canby placed third overall to claim women's honors in 3:31:27.

Evan Moreau of Sisters dominated the field in the ultra-marathon distance of 40 miles with a time of 5:10:21, an average of 7:46 per mile. Alison Churchill of Springfield placed first among women, and fourth overall, in 5:48:58.

Garrett Brink, who grew up in Sisters and now resides in Bend, finished in 9:01:26.

As finishers enjoyed the sunshine and refueled with food from Longboard Louie's near the finish line at the Sisters High School track, Meissner chalked the event up as another success.

"Each year presents its challenges," he said. "Someone moved and removed trail markings that we put out the day or two before the race, which can put runners in danger, but other than that, things went very smoothly thanks to great volunteers. I am grateful for the runners who come from all over to do the Rumble every year and I am already making plans for next year."

The Rumble is set for April 13, 2025. Results of this year's race can be found on the Run Wild Adventures website.