Pine Mountain Hill Climb
RESULTS
Pine Mountain Hill Climb, 10.7 miles, 2,500' of climbing
Sept. 14, 2008
1. Patrick Widmer, 47, Bend 1:28:38
2. Kami Semick (1F), 42, Bend 1:30:22
3. Jace Ives, 24, Bend 1:31:30
4. Kurt Eisele, 29, Eugene 1:32:31
5. Glenn Miller, 48, Bend 1:38:11
6. Owen Sutton, 39, Bend 1:42:53
7. Scott Abrams, 52, La Pine 1:43:42
8. Scott Mercer, 40, Bend 1:44:14
9. Stephanie Hackbarth (2F), 23, Bend 1:46:08
10. Steve Morse & Chloe the dog, 51, Bend 1:46:49
11. Andy Schob, 60, Bend 1:47:14
12. Darla Brader (3F), 35, Bend 1:47:44
13. Jane Cleavenger (4F), 50, Bend 1:49:20
14. Laura Nice (5F), 27, Bend 1:50:52
15. Paul Stevenson, 33, Bend 1:55:37
16. Roger Daniels, 72, Bend 2:01:30
17. Bob Reininger, 42, Bend 2:08:13
18. Tim Zook, 53, Powell Butte 2:10:34
19. Stephen Waite, 25, Bend 2:10:58
20. Todd Chester, 34, Bend 2:14:54
21. Ron Kastberg, 55, Powell Butte 2:17:11
22. Roy Reisinger, 67, Bend 2:17:20
23. Steve Greening, 60, Bend 2:24:35
24. Tyson Pardue, 43, Bend 2:25:02
25. Tonya Olson (sweeper), almost 40, Bend 2:36:45
Thank you very much to everyone who came out and played on Pine Mountain for the day or weekend. I had a complete blast out there. We started off the festivities with camping out on Saturday night, and as we all know, crazy things can happen while camping. A good size group of us roasted weenies over the fire, gorged on Tonya's famous s'mores delux, enjoyed some tasty beverages, saw Jupiter through a really big telescope, and watched the always-popular sci-fi thriller The Man Who Changed His Mind. Definite pre-race evening times!
Race morning was beautiful. Sunny, no wind, not hot...pretty perfect conditions for running up a mountain. Shortly after 9 a.m., 25 runners and 2 dogs began their ascent in the inaugural Pine Mtn. Hill Climb. About one hour and 15 minutes later, the finish line crew extraordinaires Gina and Chris, and I, spotted the first runner on the road really far away. Who was it?? Soon enough, Patrick Widmer was powering up the final steep 200 meters to the finish, establing a mighty-fine course record of 1:28:38. Less than 2 minutes later, Kami Semick trotted up the last painful climb, smiling her way across the line in 1:30:22, for 2nd overall and the women's course record. After the master's 1-2 punch, finally some of the young bucks finished. Rounding out the top-3 for the boys, Jace Ives was 2nd in 1:31:30, and Kurt Eisele was 3rd in 1:32:31. For the girls, Stephanie Hackbarth finished 2nd in 1:46:08, and Darla Brader was 3rd in 1:47:44.
After finishing, everyone made their way back down to the campground for a bbq, lots of refreshing beverages, tasty Nancy P's treats, and to swap war stories of the day.
I think everyone enjoyed the course. It really is beautiful, and it's not easy. Runnable? Yes...well, for the most part, anyway. But it does take some effort to run uphill for over 7 miles and 2,500' vertical, with only two little downhills that weren't easy, either. Everyone agreed that the highlight of the race (besides finishing) was the out-and-back section where volunteer-chick Whitney was stationed. The view from up there is the best!
My original thought to having this race was because I loved the area the first time I ran out there (just May of this year), and I love hill climbs. I knew immediately during that first run out there, I would have a race on Pine Mtn. I wanted it to be challenging, as hill climbs are by nature, but I wanted it more runnable than the uber-challenging Sunrise to Summit, and I wanted it longer than the Pilot Butte Challenge. I love both of those races, but thought we needed something different. Pine Mountain Hill Climb is different.
A special thank you to the following people for volunteering their time: Owen, Chris, Darla, Tonya, Tate, Gina, Gary, Jeannie, Whitney, Rob's truck (that pulled Whitney's Jeep out from being stuck), Judy, Chad, and the random guy who hauled the finish line water up the hill for us. The runners and I all really appreciate your help!
I'm look forward to next year's hill climb already. I believe it has the makings to be a long-term classic.
Still $25...including day of race!!
For the first time, you can race at the beautiful Pine Mountain Observatory just east of Bend - plan to make a weekend of it and camp under the stars the night before!
The folks up at the observatory are helping us out for the weekend. They are going to reserve the free campground next to the observatory for all of us runners on Saturday night. So bring your Coleman stove and enjoy a cookout with some friends. Then after dinner, since that weekend is almost a full moon and the stars won't really be out, enjoy some quality B-grade movies under the tent at the observatory. Be sure to get plenty of sleep so you're well rested for the main event in the morning.
The racing begins Sunday morning at 9 a.m.
Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008, 9 a.m.
11.5 miles (8 miles of climbing and 3.5 miles of descent), 2,500' vertical gain
Entry form is available here or at Fleet Feet Sports on Galveston.
$25 entry, regardless of when you register - even day of race. *Please disregard price increase on the entry form.
Course description:
The race starts at the intersection of FS 2017 and FS 100. Follow FS 100 uphill for almost 4 miles, then downhill for another 2+ miles. Rejoin with FS 2017 and turn left, going up FS 2017 for .8 miles. Turn right on FS 350, follow the road up to where it ends (approx. 1.2 miles), then continue up the technical, rocky singletrack in front of you to the rock-wind shelters at the very top. Take a look around at the beautiful views. Turn around and run 
back down the rocky trail and the rutty FS 350 road to the intersection with FS 2017. Turn right onto FS 2017 and run up the gravel road to the Pine Mountain Obeservatory parking area. Go past the parking area and gate, get on the singletrack right by the observatory that takes you to Pine Mountain summit proper. The finish is at the rock-wind shelter at the top of Pine Mountain.
There will be 3 aid stations with water and nuun electrolyte drink, located at approximately miles 4, 6.8, and 9. There will plenty of goodies (yes, Nancy P's!) and refreshments at the finish.
packet pick-up
- Saturday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at Fleet Feet
- Sunday, Sept. 14, 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., at the observatory
race day info
Please be at the top of Pine Mountain at the observatory by 8:30 a.m. on race day so we can shuttle you down to the start. You are welcome to get your own ride to the start, but absolutely no cars can be left at the start during the race.
Directions to the race: Drive about 26 miles east of Bend on Hwy 20. Just past the old abandoned Millican Store, there will be a sign on the right for Pine Mountain Observatory. Turn right there and drive the approximately 8 miles up to the observatory at the top of the mountain (you will pass the start of the race a little over 3 miles from the highway, just after a cattle guard - keep driving up on the main road to the top). This is where the finish and race activities are. A shuttle bus will then give you a ride down to the start.
Thank you very much to Nancy P's for providing the tasty post-race treats, nuun for the electrolyte drink, and Rebound Physical Therapy for the shuttle bus.
Sunday Weekly Runs: At the store at 1320 NW Galveston at 8:30 a.m. (2nd Sunday we meet at Shevlin at 9 a.m. for Hot Chocolate Runs) 4-7 miles
Wednesday Weekly Runs: At the store at 6 p.m. 3-5 miles
Yoga for Athletes: 7 p.m. Wednesday's after the weekly run, $5
Strength Training for Athletes: 6 p.m. on a night to be determined, starting the week after Thanksgiving
Stroller Runs, Tuesday's at 10 a.m. at the store 45 minute jog at a relaxed pace
Thoughtful Thursday's: the second Thursday of the month, join physical therapist Tonya Olson at the store at 5:30 p.m. to help all of your aches and pains.
