Mt. Si 50 mile Race Info

 

Date

4/23/17

Avg Temps f.

60/40

Gain/Loss in ft

1400/1400

Furthest Aid

6.9 miles

Highest Elev.

~1300 ft

Time Limit

11 Hours (12 for early start)

Start

6am

Surface

88% rails-to-trails path

12% road

Course Record

5:54:15 (Ryne Melcher)

6:33:37 (Stacie Carrigan)

Sunrise/set

6am/8:10pm

Longest Climb

450 over 5 miles

Hashtags

#MtSi50

A Seattle area event for those looking to step up to the 50 for the first time or run a fast 50, this generally smooth rails-to-trails course has minimal elevation change with great aid along the course and access for runner support along the way. The course is generally wide with some crushed rock, but usually is packed dirt and grass, and runs on the Snoqualmie Valley and Iron Horse Trails, providing views of the Cascade foothills and the Snoqualmie and Tolt Rivers

Race Details

Detailed course description:

  1. The 50-mile course follows city roads and the trail from the town of Snoqualmie northwest to Fall City and to the South edge of Carnation for the first 9.9 miles, where runners turn around and run back to North Bend.
  2. At the 19.4 mile mark, in the town of Snoqualmie, the 50-milers will be joined by the 50K runners and head to Rattlesnake Lake via the Snoqualmie Valley Trail and then to Twin Falls Trailhead via the John Wayne Trail in Iron Horse State Park.
  3. From North Bend to Rattlesnake Lake the runners have their steepest climb, which is 450 miles over 5 miles. At mile 34.5 they will make a U-turn at an aid station and head back to the finish at Snoqualmie Elementary School.
  4. http://www.mtsirelay.com/assets/UltraCourseMap2017.pdf

Lessons Learned from Race reports

-Pacing is crucial, especially with the second half having the longest climb of the whole route, which is not much gain (450 feet), but it goes on for 5 miles. Save energy for that climb so you can not only get up it fine, but also make use of the downhill to the finish

-Try not to get sucked into racing the relay runners or the fresh 50k runners who join you for the last 31 miles, who will likely be going much faster than the individual ultra runners

– Study the aid stations. Some of the stations that were there on the out were not there on the back part of the race.
-While the climb up is nothing too crazy, once you get to the turn around you have to go up a nasty short gut check hill. It’s not crazy long, but it sucks.

-There are two spots in the race where you can be potentially stopped  (4 with the back) while crossing the highways. Good to know if things get competitive.

Elevation

Total gain/loss: 1,400/1,400

Total climbs: One moderate climb of 450 feet over 5 miles

Aid stations

Total aid stations: 7 full, 2 self-service water

Furthest distance apart: 6.9 miles

Locations:  Full aid stations at 5.7, 9.9, 14.0, 20.4, 28.9, 34.4, and 39.9 miles. Self-service water at 23.5, 46.8 miles. Portable toilets at 2, 18, 22, 29, 40 and 47 miles.

What’s available:

Aid Station #1 – Mile 5.7 Water, Soda, GU2O sport drink, potatoes, cookies, potato chips, bananas, drop bag #1

Aid Station #2 – Mile 9.9 Water, GU20 sport drink, cookies

Aid Station #3 – Mile 14.0 Water, Soda, GU2O sport drink, potatoes, cookies, potato chips, bananas, drop bag #1

Aid Station #4 – Mile 20.4 Water, GU2O sport drink, Shot Bloks, potatoes, cookies, potato chips, bananas

Aid Station #5 – Mile 23.5 Self service water, bananas

Aid Station #6 – Mile 28.9 (Aid Station Closes at 12:30 PM) Water, Soda, GU2O sport drink, GU gel, potatoes, cookies, potato chips, bananas, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, drop bag #2

Aid Station #7 – Mile 34.4 (Aid Station Closes at 1:40 PM) Water, GU2O sport drink, Gu Shot Bloks, potatoes, potato chips, bananas,

Aid Station #8 – Mile 39.9 (Aid Station Closes at 3:00 PM) Water, Soda, GU2O sport drink, GU gel, potatoes, cookies, potato chips, bananas, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

Aid Station #9 – Mile 46.8 Self service water, cookies, bananas Finish: Water, fruit and snacks

http://www.mtsirelay.com/assets/UltraCourseMap2017.pdf

Crew access

Crew instructions/directions: Runners can have support provided by friends and family members anywhere along the course provided they do not interfere with traffic or other runners. Note that a Washington State Discover Pass is required to park at Twin Falls Trailhead (mile 34.5) This is reached by crew via Exit 38 on I-90.

Drop bags: Each 50-Mile runner can have two runner-supplied drop bags: one at the 5.7/14.0 mile aid station and one at the 28.9 mile aid station. Drop bags should be deposited at the start line on the day of run prior to 6:00 AM. They will be transported to the aid stations by volunteers and at the end of race will be returned to the finish line for runner pickup.

Pacers

A runner can have one support person run or ride a bike to support them starting at mile 20, provided the runner or biker does not interfere with other runners or traffic. Mountain bikes and cross bikes can easily ride the trail. Narrow-tire street bikes will have difficulty.

Race reports

Anna U’s 2017 race report

Matt K’s 2016 race report

http://srlopez-maniac111.blogspot.com/2007/04/042207-mt-si-50-miler.html

Strava activities and GPX files

https://www.strava.com/activities/179944393/overview

https://www.strava.com/activities/293331751/overview

Logistics

Packet pickup

Saturday, April 22: Everyday Athlete, 11829 98th Avenue NE, Kirkland, from 12pm to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, April 23 (Race Day): Snoqualmie Elementary School (prior to 6:00 a.m)

Transportation

Best way to reach the race is to drive to Snoqualmie Elementary School, 39801 S.E. Park St., Snoqualmie, WA

Directions to the start

Best parking: Centennial Field – City of Snoqualmie Park east side of school

Race start and cutoff times

Start at 6am

Course closes at 5:00 p.m.

Note: 5:00 a.m. early start for 50-milers OK by request

There will be an 11 hour cutoff rule for 50-Mile runners (12 hours for those that elect to take an early start). One can still complete the course if they are running slower than the cutoff pace, but volunteer support, aid stations, and the finish line support will close based on cutoff pace. 50-Mile runners who estimate it will take them 11 to 12 hours to complete the run should take an early start (5:00 a.m.) by request prior to race day.

Race Website

http://www.mtsirelay.com/ultras.html

Race Documents

Ultra Information Packet: http://www.mtsirelay.com/assets/UltraInfoPacket2017.pdf

Abridged Ultra Information Packet: http://www.mtsirelay.com/assets/AbridgedUltraPacket2017.pdf

Registration

Through imathlete.com via the race website: http://www.mtsirelay.com/register.html

Location

Snoqualmie Elementary School, 39801 S.E. Park St., Snoqualmie, WA

Directions to the start

Best parking: Centennial Field – City of Snoqualmie Park east side of school

Travel

Closest airport is SeaTac International Airport (SEA); start is about 35 miles from the airport and about 30 miles from Seattle

Accommodations

There are many motel choices on Seattle’s Eastside, but not many close to Snoqualmie Elementary School, so plan on driving or getting a ride to the start. Many lodging and dining suggestions can be found on the race website.