*** Ridge to River entries down ***

Wenatchee, Washington -- 04/09/2005
~Organizers blame weather for drop-off in registration~

The Ridge to River Relay will push on and celebrate its 25th
annual race this weekend despite unpredictable snow conditions,
low river levels and an altered race course that has drawn
significantly fewer competitors.

"We were really hoping the numbers (of teams) would be up
this year and we could really play up the anniversary," said
Shawn Rush, president of the Ridge to River board of directors.
"It's a real bummer with the weather being like it is.

"But there's still a race going on and
we're going to make the best of it," he said.

So far, about 140 teams -- or between 500 and 600 racers
--have signed up for the adult relay on Sunday, down from
265 teams with nearly 1,800 racers signed up before last year's race.

A total of 215 teams have registered for the Jr. Ridge to
River Relay on Saturday, compared with 253 teams last year.

"I'm convinced it's the weather," said race organizer Jennifer
Korfiatis.
"I think with it being so warm, people turn their attention to other
things."

Dismal snowfall this winter made for uncertain conditions at
the Mission Ridge Ski Area, where the five-sport adult race
traditionally starts with cross country and downhill ski legs.
So last month, for the first time in race history, organizers
decided to change the start from skiing to a combination
of mountain biking and trail running.

Then the snow started falling last week and created new problems.
The snow now has to be plowed away to make conditions safe for
the bikers and runners.

As they climb out of the parking lot at the ski area for the start
of the race, mountain bikers can expect to hit patches of slushy
snow along their 3,800-foot-long leg of the course, said Mark
Milliette, the ski area's general manager who was out plowing
snow from the course on Thursday.

"It will pretty much be a combination of snow
and mud and dirt," he said. "It should be fun."

The bikers will then hand off to the trail runners, who will likely
be slipping along a snowy path for most or all of their 3,800-foot
section, he said.

On top of that, the National Weather Service is forecasting
a chance of new snow on Saturday and Sunday in the mountains.

"It's been one of those years where you just keep rolling with
the punches," Milliette said. "Weather conditions can really level
the playing field. But I think people will have a good time."

The rest of the race will be the same as usual, splitting into the
original course and the Columbia course, a route that bypasses
the Wenatchee River, at the exchange point at Squilchuck State Park.

But more trouble is expected on the Wenatchee River, where
paddlers launch at Wenatchee River County Park and head
down to the Columbia River.

The river was flowing at just under 2,000 cubic feet per second
on Thursday, less than one-third of the flow during last year's race.
In low water, racers have a greater chance of hitting obstacles and
flipping over than they do in higher water, said Chelan County
Sheriff Mike Harum.

"They drag bottom, hit rocks and get snagged on trees," he said.
"The low flows create much more of a problem for the racers."

Rescue boats that patrol the river cannot always
reach people in the shallow water, he said.

"We're anticipating a busier-than-normal
weekend on the river this year," he added.

But temperatures in the Wenatchee Valley should be favorable for racers.

The National Weather Service is predicting temperatures in the mid-50s
to
low 60s with a slight chance of rain on both Saturday and Sunday.

Despite the low numbers and course alterations,
Rush said he expects a great weekend celebrating
the race's 25th year in the community. Longtime
racers and volunteers will be honored.

The race committee had to trim some expenses because not
as much entry-fee money is coming in, he said. Fewer T-shirts
were printed up -- the single biggest expense for the race
-- and Alcoa is paying for the race trophies to cut costs.

Rush said the race will still generate some profit to give to community
organizations, but probably not much. "We can't give it if we don't have

it," he said.

He said he's hopeful that the race will
bounce back to normal by next year.

"We'll be back pushing hard again next year to get the
numbers back," he said, "and hopefully we'll get some snow."

CC - http://www.wenworld.com

ACC - Ridge to River Web Site - http://www.r2r.org

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