Melissa J. Coombes, 19, who grew up in Los Altos and attended Montclaire and Homestead High schools, placed first in the under-21 category of the North American Rogaining Championships, held May 22-23 in Nova Scotia.
Rogaining?
A funny name, some might say, and one that doesn't begin to describe the physical endurance required to compete in it.
Picture a marathon, except this one lasts 24 hours, covers 50-60 miles, and involves wilderness terrain that requires a partner and a compass.
The object is for teams to cover as many checkpoints as possible.
While competitors can stop and rest, they rarely do, Coombes said.
"I'm very excited about it," she said, just prior to the competition. "It seems like we've been talking about it forever."
Coombes, who has just completed her second year at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., said she got into the sport through her friend and partner in this competition, Vytenis Benetis, of Latvia.
She started training for the competition this past winter.
American Legion, Post 558 in Los Altos, contributed $500 to help pay for the cost of the trip, said member Lew Miller. He said Coombes and Benetis covered between 40 and 50 miles under wet and foggy conditions, running for at least six hours.
Miller said there were 84 teams competing in the Rogaining event.