Joe Kline / The Bulletin MBSEF events director and Pole Pedal Paddle race director Molly Cogswell-Kelley, left, and MBSEF cycling and nordic race director Chuck Thomas talk about the transition area from the downhill ski portion of PPP to a 1-mile trail run on Tuesday afternoon at Mt. Bachelor west of Bend.

Organizers for the 39th annual U.S. Bank Pole Pedal Paddle announced today that they have increased the planned 1-mile trail run at Mt. Bachelor ski area to 2.5 miles for the May 16 event.

The extra mileage will allow participants competing in both the alpine ski and cycling legs enough time to reach the run-to-bike transition before their team member arrives there, according to Molly Cogswell-Kelley, a race organizer.

The 2.5-mile run will include some upper nordic trails at Bachelor, and a trail around the parking area at West Village Lodge, before ending at the nordic center. The trail run is being staged in place of the traditional 8-kilometer nordic ski stage, which was canceled due to lack of snow.

Cogswell-Kelley said that updated maps would be available on Friday.

The PPP, a fundraiser for the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation, traditionally includes teams, pairs and individuals racing from Mount Bachelor to Bend in the sports of alpine skiing, nordic skiing, road cycling, running and paddling. The event usually draws about 3,000 participants.

Additionally, MBSEF has decided not to charge a late fee this year for those who still wish to register. Registration will end on Monday at midnight.

For more information or to register, visit www.pppbend.com.

— Mark Morical