The Other Three P’s of the Pole Pedal Paddle

The 36th annual U.S. Bank Pole Pedal Paddle. While many just simplify the event’s name to PPP. There’s three other “P” words that could also describe the event: Preparation, Plenty of color and Party.

Scott McKenzie has watched every single Pole Pedal Paddle since the very beginning.

He started taking pictures of the event in the mid-1980s and has more than 1,000 shots.

“It’s cool to watch them and see how the athletes and stuff, and how it is the progression of the sport around here,” McKenzie said Saturday. “It’s really neat, how it got so big.”

The finish line is where you will find McKenzie taking the most photos.

“I like to watch them as they come through and pretty well spitting themselves,” McKenzie said.

McKenzie must also have some very colorful photos like two of Saturday’s costumed participants.

“I’m actually Harry Dunne and this is Lloyd Christmas,” Kyle Watt said.

The characters from, you guessed it, the movie Dumb and Dumber.

“Figured that this would be a good costume,” Watt said. “We are nice and bright, and I think we did pretty good this year.”

They weren’t the only ones decked out. One couple dressed in dance gear and called themselves “It Takes Two to Tango.”

“That was kind of the inspiration for the outfit though,”Jordan Krump said. “I’ve been called Elvis most of the day.”

Ali Mostue was called a panda most of the day. She wore panda headgear and was part of a group who called themselves Pandamonium.

“We got a really good deal on them,” Mostue said.”I mean, Pandamonium — such a good name.”

All of them helping out to support an organization (the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation) and also coming to party.

“It’s a great party here,” said Larry Graves, vendor relations manager. “I call it a cross between a carnival and a zoo.”

Graves has volunteered for over 20 years for the event, helping to set up the vendors.

“This is a great organization to volunteer for,” Graves said. “MBSEF is a great bunch of people. That’s why we help out with this.”

And for the thousands of racers, you may have noticed McKenzie cheering you on or snapping your picture.

McKenzie says his favorite pictures he has taken are the ones of the disabled, because he enjoys seeing them persevere and finish the race.