Sunriver’s Pacific Crest Sports Festival may go virtual

Race organizers plan to make, announce decision by week's end

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The 24th annual Pacific Crest Endurance Sports Festival, which usually brings thousands of athletes, family and friends to Sunriver each June, will of course be affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, and just how will be decided this week, an organizer said Monday.

Sherri McMillan, owner of Why Racing Events, the Vancouver, Wash.-based company that puts on numerous events, said an official announcement is expected by Friday, as conversations are finalized about whether to postpone to a future date, hold a virtual event or cancel the races until next year.

A wide variety of events take place during the multi-sport event, what organizers call "the ultimate race-cation," from triathlons and marathons to bike tours and kids races.

"We've already hosted three events this year, and they all went virtual," McMillan said, with "pretty amazing" results. "Our athletes have appreciated, instead of just canceling the event, to focus and to put purpose to their training."

McMillan said one of their mottos is, "You can cancel the race, but we can't cancel runners." Another is: "We're all alone, together."

At the recent virtual events participants have submitted photos and videos of their individual races, and a "virtual award ceremony" is held, she said. "You get all the swag, and some hold mock finish lines, post-race parties."