This past Sunday, the first ever Gnar Gnar trail race was held in Government Camp, Oregon, on the slopes of Oregon’s most iconic and highest peak, Mount Hood. The short, 6 mile, race was put on by Go Beyond Racing and sponsored by Nike Trail. The race attracted 100 participants, a number likely grow when more people learn about this mountain-tastic trail running event.
The course is a quick three miles from the bottom to the top of Mount Hood Skibowl, which challenges runners with 1,900 ft of vertical gain on mostly single track. From the top, runners fly down the final three miles on well-maintained mountain bike trails. The feedback on the course was overwhelmingly positive from the racers.
Many runners enjoyed soaring down the banked turns and taking in the views of the beautifully green Mount Hood National Forest. Runners also enjoyed the accessibility of the event, a short 60 to 90 minute drive from nearby Portland. Every runner finished the short but tough course in under two-hours.
The top three males of the inaugural Gnar Gnar were first place Mike Allen, 33, Astoria, OR with a time of 45:56, second place Jeremiah McGregor, 31, Bend, OR, and third place Grant Farrell, 37, Portland, OR. The top three females were first place Kate Peters, 13, Lake Oswego, OR with a time of 52:28, second place Keely Henninger, 26, Portland, OR, and third place Caitlin Jacobsen, 33, Lake Oswego, OR. Kate Peter’s time also placed her 5th overall, and this shy middle schooler will be someone to watch for in short distance mountain racing over the coming years.
