Pole Pedal Paddle 2026: Bend's Iconic Race Turns 50 — With a Major Twist

Fifty years. One legendary race. And this year, a course nobody expected.

The SELCO Pole Pedal Paddle, Bend's beloved mountain-to-river multisport event, celebrates its 50th anniversary on May 16, 2026. But if you're planning to ski down Mt. Bachelor like every other year, here's what you need to know: the skis are staying in the garage.

What's Changed for 2026

Low snowpack and the early closure of Mt. Bachelor's ski area this season have forced the most significant course changes the PPP has seen in over a decade.

Both the alpine ski and Nordic ski legs, the race's two signature on-snow segments, have been eliminated entirely for 2026. In their place, competitors will take on two trail runs on Mt. Bachelor before transitioning into Bend.

Here's how the new mountain segment breaks down:

• Mountain Run — approximately 2.5 to 3 miles with roughly 400 feet of elevation gain and loss
• Fun Run — a shorter, flatter course designed to be more accessible, with a few surprises along the way

"This is nothing new for us," said race director Marieka Greene. "The event has evolved many times over the years due to snow, weather and even the growth of Bend."

The last time conditions altered the course was 2015, when one ski leg was replaced. This year, both snow legs are gone, making 2026 a genuinely unique edition of the race.

What Stays the Same

The soul of the PPP is intact.

After the mountain runs, the rest of the course follows the classic route Bend locals know and love:

• Bike leg — the ride down from Mt. Bachelor into Bend
• Run leg — 5 miles winding through neighborhoods, the Old Mill District, and along the Deschutes River
• Paddle leg — kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard on the Deschutes
• Sprint — the final push to the finish line at Riverbend Park

The finish festival at Riverbend Park will be there in full force, food vendors, a beer garden, sponsor booths, and the kind of energy that only Bend can deliver.

Why This Race Still Matters

The Pole Pedal Paddle isn't just a race. It's a 50-year-old community institution.

Founded in 1976 by Jenny Sheldon as a fundraiser for the Skyliners Ski Team, starting with just 12 teams and 16 individuals, it has grown into one of the most unique multisport events in the Pacific Northwest. Today, around 2,000 participants compete annually, with roughly one-third traveling from outside Central Oregon.

Every entry benefits the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation (MBSEF), which supports youth snow sports programs for over 800 young athletes in the region each year. This race is how those programs stay funded and accessible.

That mission doesn't change because the snow didn't show up.

What This Says About Bend

Here's the thing about a 50-year-old race that pivots when nature doesn't cooperate: it keeps going.

Bend is a place built around outdoor life, and outdoor life means adapting. The PPP has always reflected that spirit. Whether it's skiing, running, biking, paddling, or some unexpected combination of all of the above, the race finds a way.

For the thousands of people who show up every May, participants, spectators, and families lining the banks of the Deschutes, the point was never just the course. It's the community that shows up to run it.

Key Details for 2026

• Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
• Finish: Riverbend Park, Bend, Oregon
• Registration: pppbend.com
• Early bird deadline: April 15, 2026
• New this year: Trail runs replace both ski legs at Mt. Bachelor

Whether you're racing, cheering, or just drawn to the energy of one of Bend's greatest annual traditions — the 50th Pole Pedal Paddle is one to witness.