Feeling the burn: Bend’s Butte Burner Challenge

Many in Bend have walked or driven up Pilot Butte, but on Saturday, Central Oregonians ran up it — some doing multiple climbs.

It was the third annual Butte Burner charity race on Saturday, drawing 150 participants. Race proceeds benefited Pilot Butte Partners and Not Alone.

Not Alone is a non-profit helping victims of human trafficking here in the U.S. and worldwide.

Race organizers said the money for Not Alone will stay right here in Central Oregon to help victims of trafficking.

“We’re putting on a training this year for professionals: law enforcement, prosecutors, after-care, for anti-human trafficking here in Central Oregon,” organizer Jeff Keith said. “Because we’ve become a destination for the girls and boys to be sent.”

Keith said he hoped the race would raise about $6,000 for the non-profits.

The race included a 5K, 10K, kids’ fun run and the 3:33–a challenge where racers do continuous hikes up and down Pilot Butte for three hours and 33 minutes.