Iron Horse Half Marathon Race Report

Race: Iron Horse Half Marathon 2021 (Orca Running)

Runner: Rohit Eipe

Race Date: 8/22/2021

Location: North Bend, WA

Results: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/38822/IndividualResult/DFdN?resultSetId=269604#U20787765

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/5835962825

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

1. Scenic course, a few nice bridges, heavily forested for first 10 miles or so. Nice wide path, no trouble passing people.
2. Downhill all the way.
3. Wave starts make it not very crowded on the course and you get to just run your own race for the most part.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

1. They got rid of water in cups at the aid stations in 2021 (past years have had it). There is water, but you have to carry a cup / bottle / pack and refill. I’d happily pay more to offset the environmental impact of the cups, but the whole point of a supported race is that you get… support. I ended up carrying a backpack but would not run this race again unless they changed back. Very disappointing.
2. While the downhill is great for going fast, I think the gravelly trail is a bit slower than asphalt, so you kind of gain a bit and lose a bit if you’re looking to PR.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I was happy with the consistency of my pace for miles 3-10. I also ended the race feeling like I could do another 5-6 without too much trouble, and since this was a tune-up for a marathon and not a goal in itself, that felt good for me.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Honestly, this race used to be one of my favorites, but I can’t recommend it any more if you have to carry your own water or bottle / cup. The last 3 to 3.5 miles are in a dead straight line, and it can be a little soul-sapping. Something about running in a straight line for that long just feels exhausting at just the moment when you need to dig deep mentally.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

It’s a fairly nice course, yes. Not so much about grand views (other than a few nice bridges to cross), but just a mellow nature-immersion for 10 miles or so.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Mostly not. It’s downhill all the way (and there really aren’t any uphill sections that I can think of), not just an average -2% grade. But the gravel / dirt is a little slower than asphalt.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

They do run the race very well. The wave starts are really great; as a result, it’s really easy to get into a porta-potty at the start. I did notice there were fewer porta-potties on the course than past years and I saw short lines (2-3 people) at them, so that seems like they went backwards from past years. It’s a point-to-point race, so they drive you in a bus from the finish to the start, and that’s also done really well; you don’t have to wait long.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

I can’t see that far from my position in the field to the front!

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Lack of fully support is a terrible choice IMO.

Weather and typical race conditions

It’s usually a little cooler than in the city of Seattle since it’s in the foothills of the mountains. The first 10 miles are under tree cover, so usually fairly cool, but the last 3 or so are in the open. August is usually quite warm in the area, though it was quite cool this year – mid-60s and misting.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Carry your own water.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Probably so, yes; particularly the last 3 miles.

How’s the Swag?

The medals are made of wood. The t-shirts are disappointing, they’re cotton, not wicking fabrics.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

Zero and no.

jack and jill marathon race report

Jack and Jill Marathon Race Report – Annelie Stockton

Race: Jack and Jill Marathon

Runner: Annelie Stockton

Race Date: 07/28/2019

Location: North Bend, WA

Results: 3:05:03

jack and jill marathon race report

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

Course was beautiful, weather was perfect, and very well organized.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

Course surface was a bit challenging, packed gravel with some bigger rocks in the mix, I felt like I had to continuously watch my footing.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

First two miles of the race are in an old train tunnel. It was dark, cold, and something I’ve never done before.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

Goal was to have fun and enjoy the race which is exactly what I did. As I was running I enjoyed the beautiful scenery and I finished feeling good.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

It did get pretty warm by the end of the race. If you’re wearing layers at the beginning make sure they’re easy to take off, and focus on hydration is important.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Wear better shoes and know what to expect for packed gravel running. It is a net downhill course and I think most people go in to it expecting to PR, there were a couple parts of steep downhill which was hard on my quads and I felt the gravel was pretty challenging to run on.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The start can be a lot colder than the finish, wear layers that you can take off. Packed gravel and downhill can be difficult to run on, use this during your training runs to practice this type of running surface before the race.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Beautiful! One of the prettiest courses I’ve run on.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Overall not a difficult course. As mentioned earlier, I found the packed gravel challenging.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Very well organized. Everything from the start to the finish of the race was great.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Yes, there were quite a few people in this race. I usually had about 5 people around me at all times.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Easy registration!

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Yes, aid stations about every 5k.

Weather and typical race conditions

Weather can be a bit unpredictable. The day before my race was cold and rainy, however race day was sunny and warm.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

Layers to take off and a head lamp for the trail tunnel.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Not super spectator friendly. You can watch at the start, the half way point, and finish. Since it is on trail in the mountains it’s harder to get to by car to see the runners.

How’s the Swag?

Cool shirt and medal. Prize money for top 3 winners of male and female.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

5, if you’re looking for a beautiful course I highly recommend this one.

Annelie Stockton is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about her or to work with Coach Annelie, check out her coaching page.

iron horse half marathon race report

Iron Horse Half Marathon Race Report – Matt P

Race: Iron Horse Half Marathon

Runner: Matt P

Race Date: 08/25/2019

Location: North Bend, WA

Results: 1:48:44

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/2651176395

iron horse half marathon race report

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. Local (for me!)
  2. Gradual Downhill Grade
  3. Orcas Running brings the community out in force – lots of swag and places to stop by after race, including barbecue.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

They ran out of finisher shirts that fit me (medium/large) and my stomach acted up about 10.5 miles in, but that’s not really the race’s fault.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

It’s not really weird at all.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I paced pretty well and enjoyed moving downhill. I moved steadily until my stomach acted up, and conserved energy so that I could open up had my stomach not hurt me. I really enjoyed the community and a variety of runners on the course.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

They don’t care about the wave times but put the fast people up front in corral 1. And if you do same-day packet pickup you don’t know which wave you are. Luckily you can start with any wave ultimately.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

The course is fast so be prepared to be moving faster than usual and make sure body can take that pace for a sustained period of time.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

It’s downhill on gravel/railroad regrade; Brooks Adrenaline shoes were fine but many had trail runners on. When you come out of Rattlesnake Lake’s basin, there is a slight shift from moderate downhill to very gradual uphill, and I noticed it slowed a lot of runners down, but I maintained pace through this section and must have passed 250-500 runners in the section from the lake down the Snoqualmie Valley Trail onto Hwy 202.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Gorgeous run through Snoqualmie Valley along Mt. Washington, Cedar Butte and Rattlesnake Mountain. Not a lot of high mountain views but foresty and pleasant all the same.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

The course is very easy.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Extremely well run by Orca Running.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

There were some pretty fast folks out there, this series is popular with I think some 2k participants.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

I signed up 2 days before but the race DID SELL OUT.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Standard Fare — water/electrolyte at every station with Gel Shots and Bloks past mile 6.

Weather and typical race conditions

Could have been warm but was chilly with little sun until late morning.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

Nope.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yep.

How’s the Swag?

Had I gotten the shirt I’d be happier, but the medal is cool and I did pick up a new trucker hat. All of Orcas wares are available at most of their races.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

5 stars – fun, easy, downhill HM course on which a PR would likely be easier than a normal more flat race.

tunnel vision marathon race report

Tunnel Vision Marathon Race Report – Kim K

Race: Tunnel Vision Marathon

Runner: Kim K

Race Date: 08/18/2019

Location: Hyak, WA

Results: 5:31

tunnel vision marathon

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. The course is beautiful! Starts at Snoqualmie Pass in the Cascades on a wide trail that was converted from an old train line.
  2. Very fast and easy because it is flat and slightly downhill. Negative elevation gain but not hard on the knees.
  3. Weather is typically not too hot. This year, race day was a high of 74 at the end of the course. Tons of shade along the entire course.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

The aid stations and support were awful. This course is very remote. In the first 21 miles, there are only a couple spots that are easily accessible so you really don’t see anyone other than the volunteers for most of the race. The original plan was 10 aid stations which is fewer than what other organizations offer on this same course. At Mile 16, the aid station was deserted with empty water jugs. No water! No people. No nutrition. Just trash everywhere. Ok, that was bad and scary, I’ll get water at the next one. Mile 18, same thing! Remember, this is a very remote trail. No people anywhere for miles. This was my first ever marathon, I wasn’t going fast. This course sells itself on being a BQ and it felt like those of us who weren’t going for that were just left to fend for ourselves. The other scary part is once I got to the second deserted aid station in row, I just assumed there was no more support for the rest of the race. It was very demoralizing and disappointing. Thankfully, after 8 miles of no support, I came upon a manned aid station that actually had water. Go figure.
This summer, I ran two other races on this same course with different organizations and the aid stations were plentiful and well stocked with water, nutrition, and people. I highly recommend this course, but I would avoid any of the Tunnel Marathons and go with the Cascade Series or Jack and Jill.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

The tunnel! It’s so cool. A half mile into the race, you enter a 2.5 mile long old, dark train tunnel. You bring a headlamp or small flashlight to make your way through. It’s dark and damp which affects your senses, including your concept of time. By the time you’re out, you’ve done 3 miles!

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

It was my first ever marathon! In celebration of my 50th, I decided to try running again and check a marathon off my list. My dear friend traveled from out of state to do it with me. Our kids were at the finish line and my daughter even jumped in and held my hand as I crossed the finish line.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

I would make sure to visit the tunnel before the race. Whether you take a quick run through it or walk. It can be disorienting, but I have found that each time I go through it, it becomes less so.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes! Very beautiful with views at times. Heavily wooded as well.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Easy, very fast, negative elevation, and a BQ.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

No, see above. Things felt minimal from the beginning, especially given the $129 registration fee.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Yes. Not that this applied to me. This course sells itself on a decent percentage of BQers. There is a large percentage of competitive and fast runners going for a BQ. That said, it’s also a wonderful course for first-time marathoners or people who are looking for a non-technical and easy marathon course.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Since it’s one of the fastest BQ courses, it does sell out.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

See above. Awful.

Weather and typical race conditions

Summer in the PNW is always a mixed bag. Weather was perfect. Low 50s at the start. 72 at the finish. That said, two weeks before, it was 90. In July, I did a HM on the same course and it rained the entire time.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

You need a headlamp/flashlight and maybe a long sleeve layer for the tunnel. They provide drop bags that you leave (you have to carry the bag with your from the start) just outside of the tunnel so you can pick up your extra stuff at the end of the race.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Virtually no crowd support until Mile 21 when you make the turn into Rattlesnake Lake Rec area. Not a lot though even after mile 21.

How’s the Swag?

Lame. An ugly t-shirt (everyone was remarking on how bad they were) and a medal. Nothing else. Lame for $129 registration fee.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

2 stars for race organization, but I give the trail/course 5 stars. I definitely recommend the course if you really want a BQ. Cascade Series does several races on the same course and offers a variety of distances. Jack and Jill is another one who uses the same course and does a better job.

jack and jill downhill marathon

Jack and Jill’s Downhill Marathon Race Report – Vivian V

jack and jill marathon race report
Photo: Racetography

Race: Jack and Jill’s Downhill Marathon

Runner: Vivian V

Race Date: 07/27/2019

Location: North Bend, WA

Results: 03:42:27

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/2568448622

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. Beautiful course
  2. Fast course – no hills!
  3. Great time of year.

Bonus: it’s nice that there is both a Saturday and a Sunday option.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

  1. This is probably the only marathon I’ve run that officially does not provide nutrition. They do warn you in advance, but I found it disappointing, as the registration fee is comparable to (if not higher than) a big race like the Seattle Marathon. In the latter part of the race, Honey Stinger gels showed up at an aid station, but that may have been a last-minute donation.
  2. Bib pickup was a nightmare. I ran the Saturday race, so bib pickup was Friday afternoon until 6:30pm at the Nike Outlet in North Bend. North Bend has terrible gridlock traffic (there were no accidents or special events going on). I would allow an hour more than whatever the GPS predicts. I sat in traffic for about 30 minutes about 0.5 miles from the mall. I didn’t make in time but was fortunate to have a friend who did.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

The first 2-miles of the race go through a pitch-dark tunnel. If you’ve never run any races on this course before, it’s very weird!

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

The course is beautiful and fast. I had great coaching and it went as planned:)

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

  • Sign up early and opt to receive your bib via mail.
  • Bring your own nutrition.
  • I ran the Cascade Super Fast Half Marathon 1 month before, which is the first 13.1 mile of this course. It provided a nice preview.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

  • Parking is 2 miles from the finish. There are shuttle buses to take you (1) to the start line before the race, and (2) to the parking lot from the finish line. There are no shuttles that go back to the start from the finish at the end.
  • When you register, you are assigned a pre-start shuttle time. One of my friends was assigned a shuttle time of 4:05am (gun time was 6:30am)!
  • I recommend either parking a car at the start AND the finish (if you run with a friend and both have cars), or having a friend pick you up at the finish line.
  • The Hyak (XC ski area) parking lot is free, and an easy ~0.2 mile walk to the start-line parking lot. The start-line parking lot requires a Discover Pass or payment of about $12 (credit card machine). If you forget to pay (oops), the parking ticket is $99, or $59 + proof of purchase of a Discover Pass ($35) within 2 weeks.
  • We stayed at the Summit Inn (~2-3 miles from the start line) due to the logistics above + bib pickup.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Bring a headlamp and lots of GU.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes; the most beautiful course I’ve ever run. It’s nice to be able to do a “road run” on a trail, completely surrounded by nature. There are a few bridges that provide breathtaking views.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

No.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

I couldn’t find the race director at the start of the race. There also didn’t seem to be any sort of “solutions” table. There was a DJ, but he didn’t know who was in charge.
The pacers were good though (Beast Pacing); I think there was one for every 5 minutes.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Out of 693 runners, 33 finished under 3 hours (5 female and 28 male).

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

I got my bib (legally) transferred to me from a friend some months in advance. Two friends registered a few weeks before the race. I believe the race may have sold out early, but later re-opened (or, alternatively, the website said “sold out” but didn’t stop people from registering).

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Water and/or Water and Gatorade (no Nuun) every 2 miles. No nutrition.

Weather and typical race conditions

Most of this course is shaded by foliage, so if it’s hot, there’s very little (if any) direct exposure to the sun. It happened to be raining (Seattle mist) for the entire duration of my race. It didn’t affect me at all (probably because I grew up in Seattle). You stay dry in the tunnel. There were a few mud puddles to dodge toward the end. I didn’t see anyone in rain gear though.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

Trail shoes or regular running shoes are fine on this course. Lace your shoes up tightly to avoid little pebbles getting into your shoes. You must bring a headlamp or a flashlight, which is collected at the end of the tunnel (at the start of the race, you get a headlamp baggie which you can label with your bib #). I kept my headlamp on the entire time (I was wearing a cap), as Coach Julie’s showed up missing in the past.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

No. I think there is one spot off of Garcia Road where spectating may (?) be allowed, but I wouldn’t count on it. Have your friends and family meet you at the finish line.

How’s the Swag?

A technical tank, a Buff, and maybe 1 or 2 other tschotkes.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

4 stars. No complaints other than the nutrition and bib-pickup, which are very important.

jack and jill downhill marathon

iron horse half race report

Iron Horse Half Marathon Race Report – Rohit E

iron horse half race reportRace: Iron Horse Half Marathon 2018

Runner: Rohit E

Race Date: 08/26/2018

Location: North Bend, WA

Results: https://results.chronotrack.com/event/results/event/event-43083

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/1799338943

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  • The downhill nature of the course
  • The wave starts make it easier on the runners so that you don’t to jostle with people constantly
  • The trail is wide
  • The mile markers are very accurate; never off by more than 0.03 miles.
  • Porta-potties at start and finish were plentiful and there were no lines

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

  • The haze this year from wildfires made for a difficult time for most, though I strangely didn’t have much trouble with it

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

  • My goal was to run sub 9 minute miles for 11 or 13 miles, and I managed to do 10 out of 13, and significantly faster than 9 minutes for those 10 (around 8:45 or so), so I was thrilled with my performance. Overall I shaved about 3:30 off my previous PR, so I was very happy. Granted, this was downhill, but I find trails slower than road, so at least some of the time was due to my own performance, not the course.
  • I started speeding up in the last mile, and with about 0.5 to go, someone came up about 20 feet behind me. I picked up the pace, he responded, then I did, and back and forth. Every time I picked up the pace, he would let out a huge groan, like “aaaaaaargh”, as if he had topped out and I still had another gear left. At one point one of my calves started tweaking like my legs were going to buckle, but fortunately my legs held. I had enough left in the tank / gutted it out and after 4 or 5 accelerations, I dropped him. Yes, I’m petty, but the kick over that last section was incredibly satisfying. Got the announcer and crowd a bit excited. I wanted to turn around and congratulate him, but unfortunately lost him at the finish line, so I never saw the person’s face, just a blue blur.
  • I discovered that I can run 13.1 miles at a sustained speed much faster than I had previously thought possible (I’ve run about 7 or 8 halves that were all around 2 hours), so that was fantastic. Huge thanks to coach Matt for introducing me to strides, strength workouts, tempo runs, etc. that taught me to run at this speed. Onward to the next PR!

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

  • The aid stations were enough for me (3,6,8, 10.5, 12), but if you need more water, especially since this race is in August, you should bring some with you. They also have gels, but nothing solid.
  • The trail is kind of a jeep-track, so there are two tire-track-wide bald lines along the route, with some grass in the middle. I found that running in the tire tracks was the fastest. I also kept switching sides to stay on the insides of the very slight curves (running the tangents), which no one else seemed to be bothering with.
  • If you are running late or something, don’t speed through North Bend. I got pulled over by a cop, though he let me off with a warning. You can just start in a later wave and be fine – nobody is checking to see that you’re in the wave you signed up for.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I like this race a lot; having run it 2 years ago. It’s cheating a little with the downhill thing, but it’s well organized, well crewed, and a good location. Bring hot sauce or mustard for the hot dogs at the finish because they seem to always run out of mustard.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Can be quite hot. This year there was a sprinkling of rain, so temperatures were pretty cool, but a bit muggy.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Definitely.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Not at all – quite easy. Wide and downhill / flat.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Yes, well run.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

No idea, I’m a slowpoke.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Parking is pretty easy. I think they usually sell out but not super far in advance or anything. T-shirt pickup is pretty easy for city folk; at Greenlake Road Runners.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

5 of them at 3,6,8,10.5,12. Water, gatorade, and gel shots. They don’t really mark the gatorade and water, so if you’re flying through then it’s just luck of the draw. No solid food.

Weather and typical race conditions

Typically hot, this year it was cool and rainy.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

I think regular running shoes are fine for this, especially if you tend to run slower in trail runners. Light trail runners would be fine too. The trail is very easy, and while it is gravelly and therefore slower than tarmac, the downhill nature makes up for that.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Not sure along the course. Certainly the start and finish are pretty good for friends; parking is easy at the finish (where you take a shuttle to the start). Parking at the start is not easy, but maybe possible if you get there super early. I think at least some supporters were riding the shuttles to the start, and then I don’t know how they were getting back to the finish line (maybe someone else had to pick them up).

How’s the Swag?

Pretty nice colorful and large medal. T-shirt was not quite a technical shirt, not quite a cotton t-shirt, but it had a nice velvety feel to it. Nice color blue.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

5 stars; great race, great place to set a PR, and very well run.

100 stars to Matt and Julie; I’m over the moon with the PR and I simply would never have broken through my past plateaus without the focused training.

iron horse half race report

tunnel marathon race report

Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon Race Report – Candice C

Race: The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Runner: Candice C

Race Date: 08/19/2018

Location: North Bend, WA

Results: 05:29:54 PR!  My husband says “that’s pretty bad” but hey it’s my 1st marathon after starting running 2.5 years ago!

http://www.itsyourrace.com/Results/8084/2018/70627/25

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/1783927530/overview

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  • Relatively small racing event with very friendly people (organizers, volunteers, participants, etc.)
  • The setting (tunnel, downhill, crossings, pseudo trail running with pretty views). I could have run an entire marathon in the tunnel it was that meditative.
  • I liked the 7am start time (earlier would have been painful given the location)

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

  • I was fortunate to plan a hotel stay in Issaquah the night before, and get a chance to pickup my bib at the North Bend Outlet Stores the day before. Otherwise the logistics of making the race are not super convenient.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

  • I haven’t done many races and this was my first marathon.  I guess what struck me as “weird” was the very smalltown/lowkey feel of it all. At the finishing area they served a really nice spread with chili, fruit, cake, nuts, chips.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

  • Thanks to coach Julie I felt very prepared, as best as I could be!  I took the taper and pre-race routine seriously, and I was pretty calm through most of the event. I pretty much assumed I was going to finish, not finish last, and not require medical attention at the end!
  • I had a general shape of a plan for the race, and carried it out pretty well.  I tried really hard to hold back in the beginning/1st half. I had the water/fuel thing down. Overall the pace was fairly even. So far no injuries from the race!
  • This shows my inexperience – at the starting line, I wondered if the numbers on the pacers’ signs were for minutes/mile or for total moving time. Then I thought nothing more of it. And at the very last leg of the race, the pacer with “5:30” ran up from behind me. I tried my best keep up with her!  LOL.
  • Very pretty race, super nice people
  • (Pictured below) I tucked in my shoelaces – read about that in Deena Kastor’s memoir!  It’s the little things.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

  • Normal running shoes are ok, just keep in mind it’s packed gravel so there’s a lot of dust and pebbles
  • I ran so slowly I was easily able to anticipate the dripping water/puddles in the tunnel.  Otherwise they are very harmless.
  • Depending on your personal preferences, carrying extra water might be a good idea
  • There are spots along the route where your phone might lose connection (this impacted me when I was listening to Spotify tunes that were not downloaded)
  • At the starting area, the porta-potty lines move fast – so take advantage because the portable facilities along the route don’t seem as appealing

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

  • I felt relatively good up to miles 15-20.  Before then I followed 2 different women who eventually peeled off in pace.  Then I was completely alone and that probably was tougher than I thought. My momentary kick at miles 20-21 was due to music change (I literally just discovered Awkwafina’s hip hop after watching Crazy Rich Asians) and feeling optimistic about tackling the last 6 miles.  Not sure what happened but then I got slower and it was harder to manage the soreness in my legs/feet. Between 21-26 I was clawing in 2 mile increments; took many more walk breaks, longer ones too.
  • Maybe I should have started at an even slower pace?  
  • I think my next marathon, with more base training, will only make things easier.
  • At around 11am my hopes of getting a time closer to 5 hours were clearly dying.  I shouldn’t have even entertained those thoughts, but it was kinda tough to not really pass that many people, so I knew what was in the cards.
  • I kept my spirits up by listening to the outrageous Awkwafina lyrics and imagining running the Brooklyn half marathon after which I eat slices of NY pizza.
  • Now I know what running a marathon is like!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

They warn you about sharp turns at mile 20-21 but I thought they were poorly marked and there was a moment (maybe mile 22) where it really wasn’t clear if the route was really supposed to head toward what looked like parked cars in a lot.  I got really frustrated (the Negative Thoughts) came crashing in and stopped to wait for other visible runners to validate my direction. I even thought, crap if I call my husband it’s not like he’s going to be able to tell me where to go! I can’t just go all this way and bag it now!  No way am I running more than I need to get the job done!

Unless you are a very fast runner and go with the ambitious BQ people in a pack up front, the course can be very lonely.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes I was really happy with how pretty the course was!

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Virtually no variety to the flat, almost imperceptible downhill course.  Long stretches of straight running. You get to zone out.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

I thought it was well organized.  I was impressed by how quickly they posted the results online.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

I ran so slowly the competition was the last thing on my mind.  But I’ll say at the starting area I was really excited/inspired by all the people who were very enthusiastic and talking about BQ and PR’ing.  There was a woman who was bragging about just turning 65 and getting into a new bracket for BQ times.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

See my comment above about things that didn’t do it for me.  I will note, however, that the email communications were very helpful and frequent enough.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

I don’t have a lot of race experience, so I thought the aid stations seemed good.  Reminded me of sidewalk lemonade stands. Nice to get some GU’s and use of sunscreen as needed.  I took water from each stop (they also offered Gatorade).

Weather and typical race conditions

Tunnel is cool but not horrible – I decided against wearing an extra layer.  I was worried the temperature would reach into the 80s by the end of the race, but if it did I didn’t suffer from it.  Really nice shade along much of the way. Fortunately, the smoke from forest fires was not a major deterrent.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

  • Definitely need a headlamp for the tunnel.  Since I wasn’t going for a fast run, I decided to store it in my water vest vs. risk dropping it into a checked bag.  They warn you a million times that your GPS/watch will be off while in the tunnel, but I thought it was ok.
  • I carried a 2L water vest and was glad I did so.  

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Not a lot of opportunity for spectators.  The mental game was to egg yourself on. There were (less than a handful) friendly bikers who rode along the course to say nice things but that’s about it.  

How’s the Swag?

I really liked the medal and as a 1st time Tunnel Marathoner I got a really nice pin as well!  The T-Shirt is ok, not into the bright blue color but I really can’t complain.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

I thought it was a pretty unique race.  If you like solitude, nature, and a presumably “downhill fast” course then go for it.  5 stars out of 5.

tunnel marathon race report

Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon Race Report – Andrew K

tunnel marathon race reportRace: The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Runner: Andrew K

Race Date: 06/10/2018

Location: North Bend, WA

Results: 3:03:36 PR!

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/1630327398

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. The Tunnel – I love how it’s so disorienting for 2 miles. When you get in the middle and look back at all the headlamps, it’s really cool.
  2. Downhill – I love that but hate it too. It’s never a downhill where a ball would roll it’s so gradual and long.
  3. Train Trestles – You run over many old train trestles that are super high over the tree tops and small creeks that are raging below you.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

  1. There are stretches that can be boring. Given it’s an old train bed for steam trains, the grade is straight for so long in some areas you really can zone out if you end up alone which can happen.
  2. The t-shirts used to be Patagonia, now they aren’t as good.
  3. It’s crowded. That’s a relative thing as it’s 500 runners but it used to be much less and you could park at the finish line.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

The Tunnel! – What race has a 2 mile train tunnel?

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I learned in previous races to stay in a pack to stay on pace as I tend to slow down all alone. So with fast groups up front I was able to run majority of race ahead of goal.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

  • You can run this in road shoes.
  • The tunnel can be cold but don’t over dress as there is a drop for headlamps at the end, so if you want a shell great but drop it with your headlamp at the end of the tunnel.
  • The aid stations are bigger more frequent than in the past but I think running with your own bottle / hydration allows you to keep speed going.
  • Get a burger and shake after at Scotts Dairy Freeze in North Bend. Total grease burger and real shake.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Listen to your body. Heading in to the race I was having hip tweaks I ignored or figured I’d just muscle past. But about mile 21 my hip started tightening and by mile 25 I was basically running with a limp. I sat at the finish and could barely walk with a bad strain.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Once you hit rattlesnake there are sharp turns R, L, R, L etc and after the long straights it can be tricky. From Rattlesnake to the finish is really, really boring as you lose views and the downhills seems to be longer and you are spent. So save up for 21-26.2

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

First 21, yes. Off to your right are views into the valley where I90 is, to your left, peaks that go up.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

No from elevation perspective. But the gravel and downhill can beat you up. The temps can be wild, like 30’s at the start and then 60’s at finish. The mid summer and fall versions are equally weather challenging.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Yes, this race has stepped up it’s game. The email communication is great, the drop bags worked out, the buses are present and available.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

I think so. The winners are 2:30 range and the top 20-30 ppl are sub 3/near 3. Lots of BQ’s at this race and it’s growing to attract folks from out of state. I sat next to someone who flew from Miami just to BQ.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

  • It’s growing so register early. The race has 3 dates and is now being copied by other outfits on the same course so make sure it’s the Light at the End of the Tunnel to keep this little race outfit going.
  • Start time is early now, so local folks can drive to the bus pick up and start. Out of towners, you’ll have to rent a car anyway, so stay in Issaquah or Salish Lodge so you are at least near something vs staying at the pass. I guess you could do Airbnb ski condos as well.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Nothing special. Spaced out well.

Weather and typical race conditions

Cold / wet start, Tunnel can be damp. Once sun breaks and hits, temp can warm up at finish.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

Headlamp, one that tilts preferred so you get the angle you want in the tunnel.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Mile 13, 18 and 21 (rattlesnake) and finish are it. I recommend Rattlesnake as it’s paved parking and you can jump in car and make it to the finish as well.

How’s the Swag?

Great medal, they finally have dressed up the bibs with color. T-shirts are average.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

4 of 5. Yes, if you want the tunnel, fast course with minimal crowds it’s for you.

Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon Race Report – Roey P

Race: Light at the End of the Tunnel

Runner: Roey P

Race Date: 06/10/2018

Location: Hyak Trailhead to North Bend (Snoqualmie Pass, WA)

Results: 3:20

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  • The Course – All downhill. Almost 90 feet per mile downhill the whole way.
  • Aid Stations – Spaced almost exactly 2.5 miles apart, they were well stocked with water and gatorade (several GU’s stations, too).
  • Surroundings – Waterfalls, Bridge Crossings, and Mountain views make this a gorgeous course.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

  • The Field – The best way to describe this race is a trail race with a road race mentality. A lot of the other runners wore headphones, or weren’t overly friendly (something I like in trail races). They ran in close packs of 3-4 people.
  • The Course – Crushed gravel, yuck.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

Not very many port-a-johns. Only 3-4 along the whole course.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

  • I paced myself incredibly well, with some really consistent miles.
  • Nutrition and hydration – when you know you nailed it, you know.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

The tunnel is very disorienting. Both in running through it, and what it will do to your GPS.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

  • Push harder.
  • Stay near the finish line the night before. It is an early start, and coming out from Seattle, it was an hours drive in the morning.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Downhill, literally, the whole way.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Gorgeous. Like I mentioned, you get beautiful vistas, waterfalls, bridge crossings.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Very easy!

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Our bus driver didn’t quite know how to get to the start, but other than that, smooth as silk.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

This course brings out a lot of fast runners looking to BQ. So a good solid field.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

They do sell out, so register early.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Pretty standard, but well spaced.

Weather and typical race conditions

This one was cold and overcast. Perfect conditions for racing. Although being in June, I am guessing that’s a big variable.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

I ran with a belt with my favorite GU flavors, and that’s about all I needed.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Only a few spots to cheer from along the course, but if you are familiar with the course, it could be.

How’s the Swag?

Nice shirt, and a bright shiny metal. What else can you expect?

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

4 Stars. If you are looking for a speedy race, then this is it.

Tunnel Marathons Race Info

Summary: The Tunnel Marathons include 3 summer marathons including the Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon in June, the Tunnel Vision Marathon in August, and the Tunnel Light Marathon in September. All 3 races are on the same course, a very fast, net downhill course that runs point to point from Hyak Parking lot at Snoqualmie Pass to a gravel parking area along North Bend Way, 2.4 miles SE of downtown North Bend, WA. The course starts at an elevation of 2,550 feet and after a half mile runners enter the pitch black tunnel for 2.4 miles, after which they run along a mainly doubletrack or wide crushed gravel path, following the I-90 corridor, in and out of lush forests. Super fast, pretty course, with a small field that’s well-organized and a great local option for the PNW.

Lessons Learned from Race Reports

  • After a half mile runners enter the pitch black tunnel for 2.4 miles. While you can see a lot with the headlamps around you, you definitely want some kind of small light in case you’re running alone
  • Your watch likely won’t work in the tunnel, so don’t believe the splits
  • The tunnel is a little disorienting, so plan on it feeling a bit odd to run through, then get your bearings on the other side
  • There are puddles in the tunnel, so if you’re running with a group, you’ll likely step in them before you see them
  • It gets warmer as you go from the start to the finish, so while you might be chilly at the start, it will only get warmer as you head downhill to North Bend
  • Out of all the tunnel races, the August is likely to be the hottest, so choose wisely among the 3 if you’re not great in the heat
  • If it’s a hot day, the final 10k will feel pretty warm, though there is a good amount of shade on the course
  • Lots of shade throughout on the course, with bridge crossings being more exposed
  • With aid stations every 2-3 miles, be sure to drink something if you want, because if you skip one, it’s a long way between 2 aid stations.
  • Not many bathrooms along the course since the aid stations are remote; best chance for one is halfway
  • The trail is smooth enough for road shoes, but there are some sections with some bigger rocks, so if you have light trail shoes, those work well too
  • Trail is mainly double track, so you run on either side of it, but not in the middle, where there are more rocks. Makes it a little harder to run the tangents and keep the distance as close to the measured course as possible
  • Only small uphill is at mile 8 and it happens quickly, short and slightly steep
  • Some turns in the course starting around mile 19.5, so pay attention to the route and flags, and hopefully volunteers at the turns
  • Some race reports mentioned mile markers being a little off, so don’t freak out if your splits are a little uneven, but rather, focus on the average pace throughout
  • Be sure to review the information on parking and shuttles, as the start and finish are in different locations and there is no parking at the start.
  • No packet pickup available the day before the race; pick up the morning of from 5:30-6:45am

Elevation

Total gain/loss: 10/2000

Total climbs: None

Course Map/Elevation profile

Aid stations

Total aid stations: 10

Furthest distance apart: ~2.5 miles

Locations: Mile 2.6, 5.3, 8.0, 10.7, 13.4, 16.4, 18.8, 21.2, 22.8, 24.8
What’s available: Water and Gatorade at every aid station; gels are given out at miles 8, 16.4, and 21.2

Crew access

In addition to start/finish, it’s fairly easy to get to the halfway point, which is off Homestead Valley Rd, off I-90 (which you then turn on Forest Service Rd 9020)

You can also see runners around mile 21, off Cedar Falls Rd near Rattlesnake Lake.

Check Strava routes for details on where the routes hit these roads and how to access them off I-90.

Race qualifiers

Boston!

Race Reports

Candice’s 2018 race report (August Tunnel)

Andrew’s 2018 race report (June Tunnel)

Roey’s 2018 race report (June Tunnel)

http://goalorientedrunner.blogspot.com/2016/08/race-report-2016-super-tunnel-marathon.html

http://sub-runs.blogspot.com/2016/09/tunnel-light-marathon-2016-race-report.html

https://teamrunrun.com/super-tunnel-marathon-matt-k/

https://teamrunrun.com/super-tunnel-marathon-dan-s/

https://teamrunrun.com/super-tunnel-marathon-dionne-h/

Strava activities and GPX files

https://www.strava.com/activities/684272608

https://www.strava.com/activities/684285043

https://www.strava.com/activities/684217483

Race Website

http://www.tunnelmarathon.com/

Jack & Jill Downhill Marathon Race Report – Julie U

Race: Jack & Jill Downhill Marathon

At the start with Dan the Man, who ran 3:06!

Runner: Julie Urbanski

 

Date: 7/30/17

 

Location: Starts at Snoqualmie Pass, finishes near North Bend, WA

 

Results – 3:39:00

 

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

  • The course is fast with being a net downhill and it’s easy to get a PR or BQ, or at least your odds are better with this course. Minimal turns as well, as it’s nearly a straight shot from point A to point B!
  • A smaller race with less people, yet still enough that I could always see people ahead and behind. I like the point in the race when the dust settles from the buzz of the early miles and I can just get to work on focusing on staying steady without tons of people around me.
  • Super beautiful course, shaded at least on one side, and a really cool place to run a marathon with looking down at I-90 and crossing over huge gorges on bridges.

 

Not so much – aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

  • The headlamp situation. They gave us bags with our numbers on them to drop off our headlamps after the tunnel and get them at the finish line. At the finish line my headlamp was nowhere to be seen, so I lost a $50 headlamp. It was the cheapest headlamp I had to use, and another runner on the team had the same happen to her last August. There’s another tunnel race that gives headlamps to participants to use and then give back at the end of the tunnel and I wish other races did the same.
  • Few porta-potties – Not sure how the race can remedy this with a trail that’s fairly hard to access, but the first porta-pottie wasn’t until the halfway point, and by that time I’d already ducked into the woods once to go to the bathroom. It would have been nice to have had at least 2 spots with bathrooms up until the half, and then 2 more in the second half. I had to pull over into the woods again at mile 19 and when I popped back on the trail, another runner said she was dying to use the bathroom too. To be fair, there were random pit toilets and porta potties near the rock climbers in the second half, so it might not be necessary, but that first half could use something.
  • Pacing groups in the tunnel. I like pacers in races but people tend to clump in groups around them, and at the start of a race and in a narrow tunnel, the groups were a little annoying in terms of taking up the whole tunnel, making it hard to pass them and being a little rude when passing. I don’t think there’s a whole lot to change about this, but next time I’ll watch where I’m starting and will try to not be near a pacer.

 

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

  • Running through a 2 mile long tunnel to start the race.

 

Highlights of your race – what did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular

  • Pacing. I started out a little erratic, especially with the tunnel throwing me off a bit and the big groups around the pacers sweeping past me. After about 6 miles and a bathroom break I clicked into a really comfortable pace, took water each time, gels every ~5 miles, and after another poo break at mile 19, I felt awesome and ready to pick it up. The last 10k was so fun to pick it up and pass people, and I finished with a 7:08 mile and a 3 minute negative split from the first half. Those races are rare where I still have my legs the last 8 miles and I enjoyed every step of it.
  • Though the course was a fairly straight shot, I tried running the tangents to make sure I was running no more than 26.2. In my 2 previous road marathons, I’ve run at least .5 miles more because I swing wide on the turns or don’t pay attention to this. This time I paid attention and also tried to stay in the shade as much as possible, as nearly half the course was in the shade for most of the race.
  • Enjoying the hell out of it. Going into the race I had tweaked my hammy, so I wasn’t sure I could even do the distance, so my goal was to make it to finish line and enjoy the hell out of my “me” time while Matt watched Paavo and while I got to jam out to my music and take it all in. Mission accomplished!

 

Lessons for others – share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

  • There were enough water stops, but I was thirsty and ready to drink each time I hit one. If you’re a big drinker, consider carrying your own water, or tank up at each aid station, because they felt far apart, especially in the first half (I think there were only 3 in the first 10 miles, and then more often after that). No gels given out, just water and gatorade.
  • Watch for random puddles in the tunnel, there were plenty of them and some kind of deep, so make sure you have enough room in front of you to sight them (ie, don’t run right on someone’s ass because you won’t see the puddle!)
  • There are a few turns around mile 21 that come up a little suddenly, and are quite tight, with a couple of quick little downhills. Be ready to pay attention on where to go and to have a change in rhythm from just the straight shot on a long downhill.
  • After those tight turns the course flattens out for a mile, which at that point can feel like an uphill if your legs are tired, and then it resumes the downhill once again.
  • Be a little cautious in the beginning and don’t go crazy in the first 10 miles of downhill so you can have your legs for the second half and have much more fun passing people in the last 10k.
  • You will have the sun at your back, so a hat is plenty for shade, sunglasses if you really want them, and I found shade on lots of the course to stay cool and avoid the heat.
  • I carried my own toilet paper for emergency stops in the woods along the way, and I doubt some of those random non-race porta potties had tp.

 

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

  • I wore road shoes but next time I’d wear my trail shoes, as it was crushed gravel, but still had a few spots with some good sized rocks, and crossing over the “median” of the wide path meant running on rocks.
  • Next time I’d either have a super cheap, tiny flashlight that I don’t care about losing, or no headlamp at all. I’m still bitter about my lost headlamp.

 

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

  • Your watch might not work in the tunnel so don’t freak out if splits are off
  • The turns around mile 21 are tight and your body probably won’t want to make any lateral movement at that point considering the straight course you’ve run thus far.
  • The flat mile after all the turns feels like a bit of a shock but then it’s back to downhill and all is good with the world.
  • People told me my quads would hurt from the gradual downhill but I didn’t experience that, but thought it was good to mention still!
Just after the start and before entering the tunnel, headlamp on and ready!

 

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

  • Yup, especially for a “road” marathon

 

Difficulty – is it a tough course

  • Nope, likely your best shot for a PR and/or BQ if you run it right. If anything it’s difficult because you have to hold yourself back from crushing the first half because it’s so fast on the downhill. A little more difficult because not tons of aid, the trail being a little harder to access.

 

Organized and well run – did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

  • Pretty well organized. I’m not happy with the post-race stuff, as I’m trying to contact them about my headlamp, but haven’t heard much, and another team member is trying to contact them about results being wrong, and he too has heard nothing.

 

Competition – is there a strong field?

  • Nothing like a big road race, so if you’re fast, like under 3 hours, you’re likely to be running alone or chasing a guy 400 meters ahead of you.

 

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

  • Nothing special, but the races sell out fairly quickly

 

Aid Stations

  • 11 total for the race, with more of them being in the second half. Enough, but not so many that I skipped one. I was quite thirsty each time I hit one.

 

Weather and typical race conditions –

  • Warm, clear, pretty. It started out in the 50s and got in the 70s, but stayed quite cool from the start and in the shade.
Coming into the finish with plenty of shade still on the course!

 

Gear – did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

  • I wore a belt to carry gels, toilet paper, and my music, I saw a lot of people with camelbacks, which seemed a little excessive if you’re trying to run fast. There was enough aid, just be ready to drink up when you pass through it.
  • Use a cheap headlamp or a flashlight that you’re cool losing and then be pleasantly surprised if you get it back
  • I’d wear light trail shoes

 

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

  • Not really. Matt, Dionne and Paavo were at the halfway point and the finish, and they could have seen me at 21, but they didn’t want to miss another runner’s finish.

 

Awards –

  • Not sure, I’m sure top people got something. Typical medal for finishers and I did like that they gave out a running tank top/singlet as the race shirt.

 

The Overall Score – how many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it

  • 3.5 out of 5, losing a star and half because of the crappy headlamp procedures, the lack of much aid or bathrooms in the first 10 miles, and the poor post-race communication. If you want to run a fast time, this is definitely the course, so the course is 5 stars, just not the race management of it.
Me and Dan celebrating our BQ’s post-race

Tunnel Vision Marathon Race Info

Date

8/20/17

Avg Temps f.

68/49 at the start

Gain/Loss in ft

10/2000

Furthest Aid

2.5 miles

Highest Elev.

2550

Start

8am (7am start available)

Surface

Flat, road-like trail

Time Limit

Not noted – 6?

Sunrise/set

6:08am/8:10pm

Longest Climb

N/A

Summary: The course is one of the fastest in the country. The course starts at an elevation of 2,550′ at Hyak Parking lot at Snoqualmie Pass and gently descends, making the course great for fast times. After a half mile runners enter the pitch black tunnel for 2.4 miles. Runners continue traversing 5 more miles through forested slopes to the Iron Horse State Park trailhead at Rattlesnake Lake. The course continues on the Snoqualmie Valley trail through leafy second-growth forest. The race finishes at a gravel parking area along North Bend Way 2.4 miles SE of downtown North Bend.

Race Details

Lessons Learned from Race Reports

  • After a half mile runners enter the pitch black tunnel for 2.4 miles. A light source such as a headlamp is strongly recommended.
  • Be sure to review the information on parking and shuttles, as the start and finish are in different locations and there is no parking at the start.
  • No packet pickup available the day before the race; pick up the morning of by 7:15am
  • Early start available for those needing more than 5 hours

Elevation

Total gain/loss: 10/2000

Total climbs: None

Map & Elevation profile

Aid stations

Total aid stations: 10

Furthest distance apart: 2.5 miles

Locations: Mile 2.6, 5.3, 8.0, 10.7, 13.4, 16.4, 18.8, 21.2, 22.8, 24.8
What’s available: Water and electrolyte drink at every aid station; gels are given out at miles 8, 16.4, and 21.2

Crew access

Not a spectator-friendly course. Best place is at the finish line!

Race qualifiers

Boston!

Race Reports

https://teamrunrun.com/super-tunnel-marathon-matt-k/

https://teamrunrun.com/super-tunnel-marathon-dan-s/

https://teamrunrun.com/super-tunnel-marathon-dionne-h/

Strava activities and GPX files

https://www.strava.com/activities/684272608

https://www.strava.com/activities/684285043

https://www.strava.com/activities/684217483

Race Website

http://www.tunnelmarathon.com/

jack and jill downhill marathon

Jack & Jill’s Downhill Marathon Race Info

Date

7/30/17

Avg Temps f.

55/77

Gain/Loss in ft

15/2000

Furthest Aid

~2 miles

Highest Elev.

2550

Start

6:30am

Surface

Flat, road-like trail

Time Limit

6.5 hours

Sunrise/set

5:44am/8:45pm

Longest Climb

N/A

Summary: Jack & Jill’s Downhill Marathon is a fast gentle downhill course on one of Washington’s most scenic trails.  After you pass through the Snoqualmie Tunnel, the next 23 miles are a gradual 2000 foot net drop down the John Wayne Trail on a hard-packed, shaded dirt/gravel road.

Race Details

Lessons Learned from Race Reports

  • After a half mile runners enter the pitch black tunnel for 2.4 miles. A light source such as a headlamp is strongly recommended and you can drop it with volunteers after the tunnel.
  • Be sure to review the information on parking and shuttles, as the start and finish are in different locations.
  • Chilly at the start since it’s higher in elevation
  • GPS watches often lose a signal in the tunnel and don’t give good feedback in there
  • Not tons of runners and not tons of spectators, so on your own for a lot of it
  • Wearing gaitors could be helpful in keeping the rocks out of your shoes, as it’s on a very crushed gravel course.

Elevation

Total gain/loss: 15/2000

Total climbs: None

Map & Elevation profile

Aid stations

Total aid stations: 11

Furthest distance apart: ~2 miles

What’s available: All aid stations will be staffed and have water.  Gatorade and water will be provided at aid stations 3 – 10.  Each aid station will be equipped with a first aid kit and Medics will be at miles 8 and 16.

Crew access

Not a spectator-friendly course. Best place is at the finish line! Some information given here.

Race qualifiers

Boston!

Race Reports

https://teamrunrun.com/jack-jill-downhill-marathon-race-report-julie-u/

http://www.darelruns.com/races/2016/7/31/jack-jills-downhill-marathon-north-bend-wa

https://runfastersarah.com/2016/08/03/jack-jill-downhill-marathon-race-recap/

Strava activities and GPX files

https://www.strava.com/activities/660479260

https://www.strava.com/activities/660318926

Race Website

http://jackjillmarathon.com/

super tunnel marathon

Tunnel Vision Marathon – Matt K

Race: Tunnel Vision Marathon (Part of Tunnel Marathon series)

Runner: Matt K

Date: 8/21/2016

Location: North Bend, WA

Results – 3:09:30 (13th of 225)

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

  1. Good start line / finish line logistics, with easy parking and a relaxed, non-hectic start.
  2. Running through the tunnel. It’ll probably mess with your pacing and GPS watch, but it’s a unique experience and a lot of fun.
  3. The course is very fast, and very scenic compared to your average city marathon. We even ran past a group of rock climbers, which was fun to watch!

Not so much – aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

Aid stations either weren’t ready for us or were understaffed. A few times I wanted to grab a cup and a gel without stopping, but volunteers weren’t handing out aid, requiring a painful abrupt stop to grab stuff and go again.

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

Definitely the tunnel. The race starts just outside an old, 2.3 mile long train tunnel that runs under Snoqualmie Pass. The tunnel is unlit, requiring a headlamp as you barrel towards a pinprick of light that is the other side.

Highlights of your race – what did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular

The highlight for me was my big PR. This was just my second marathon, and I improved from a 3:54 to a 3:09; knocking way more time off than I thought possible in one year’s worth of training.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The downhill course can be deceptive. Early miles go by all-too-easily; you need a lot of discipline for proper pacing.

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

Overall I’d say this is a pretty nice course. I complained a bit about this same course in my Mt. Si 50 miler report because a few places you pass close to the I-90 highway, but in this case I think I have different expectations. The 50 miler I expect to be a trail run and to be immersed in nature. This is a marathon course where seeing the mountains and trail was a welcome alternative to dodging a pack of runners.

Difficulty – is it a tough course

The course is a slight downhill all the way to the final 3 miles, which are flat, so objectively this is not a difficult course, however a few things can conspire to make it more difficult if you aren’t careful:

  1. The downhill profile can easily lure you into going too fast
  2. The tunnel will almost certainly mess with your GPS watch. If you’re aiming for a specific time I would recommend a pace bracelet or some other mechanism to track your progress
  3. After running downhill the whole race, the flat final miles will feel extra tough

Organized and well run – did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Overall a well run race. Check-in was easy, course was well marked, and the race even has a drop bag for your headlamp at the end of the tunnel, which was available promptly at the finish.

Competition – is there a strong field?

Not particularly. This year the winner’s time was 2:56, with an average finish time of 4:14.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Registration is simple; they usually do sell out, but there are 3 identical runs per year (Light at the End of the Tunnel, Little Tunnel, and Super Tunnel), so finding a race that fits your schedule shouldn’t be too tough. There aren’t many hotels close to the race, but it should also be easy to book one if you’re coming from far away. I live in Seattle so I just drove directly from home to the start.

Aid Stations

Aid stations were spaced 3 – 5 miles apart, which is a bit far compared to many city marathons, but I think aid every mile is overkill. Nothing special here, and as I mentioned previously I had to stop at a few aid stations to grab water or gels instead of handing off at speed.

Weather and typical race conditions –

The race is near Snoqualmie Pass, so typical “anything can happen in the mountains” caveats apply. Typically the race seems to be in the 50s – 70s degrees, with either overcast or rainy skies. For our run it started off quite cool, but warmed up throughout the race.

Gear – did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

I saw many other runners geared up for a trail ultra (vests, packs, etc.), which I felt was very unnecessary. Try to run with as little gear as possible. I’d only bring along some gels, as only two aid stations had gel, which may not be enough for you.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

This is decidedly not a spectator-friendly course. After the start there’s just a single point along the route (Cedar Butte / Rattlesnake falls) that runs anywhere near a road.

Awards –

Small finisher’s medal. There may be awards for top finishers, but I didn’t see any.

The Overall Score – how many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it

I’d give race 3 out of 5 stars. It’s a small race, but a good, fast course. It’s advertised as one of your best chances to qualify for Boston, and I think it’s great for that.

super tunnel marathon

Tunnel Vision Marathon – Dan S

Race:  Tunnel Vision Marathon (Part of Tunnel Marathon series)

Runner: Dan S

Date: 8/21/2016

Location: The race starts at Hyak (Snoqualmie Pass) and ends in North Bend, Washington.

Results: 3:04.14

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

  1. The course is pretty much tailor made for a personal record: gradual down, all the way.
  2. The course is pretty in many places; from sections in the woods to more open trestles over creeks, it’s a nice (aesthetically) path.
  3. Though small (only a couple hundred finishers or so), the race seemed to be well run.

Not so much – aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

The only notable “drawback” of the event that stood out is that the aid stations are really shallow.  This reality was entirely to be expected with a small race like this, but it did mean that I was doing loops at several-most aid stations (it was a warm day) to get a couple of cups of fluids (one to dump on me, the other to drink).

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

The better part of the first two miles of the race are in a tunnel (the tunnel is the race’s namesake). The race follows a path that used to be used by trains (hence the gradual down) and the outset of the race (racers enter the tunnel at about 0.25 miles) is underground in an old rail tunnel.  Headlamp required.

Highlights of your race – what did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular

This is by far the best marathon I’ve ever run.  I shattered my personal record by a margin I hadn’t even imagined possible and in so doing, achieved a long-standing personal marathon time goal.

Things were going so well that I literally did not trust my training computer for much of the first half of the race (the GPS was thrown off in the tunnel so I knew the data from that portion of the race was inaccurate).  It was not until the guy standing by the side of the course at the half marathon mark (no clock – just a guy with a watch – it’s a small race) told me what pace I was on that I started to believe what my training computer was telling me.

Lessons for others – share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

The race started kind of late (8:00am) and was held in late August.  So heat could be an issue.  We were lucky in 2016 that it was warm but not too hot.  That said, right up to the morning of the race it was looking like we’d be dealing with performance-dampening temperatures.

Most of the race is on gravel.  I found gaiters helpful for keeping rocks out of my shoes.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I learned (from Matt) about the technique of placing crushed ice in the back of my running vest to help keep my core temperature down.  I did not end up needing to implement this technique (or using the vest at all) but if I do end up trying a high temperature, long distance run in the future, the crushed-ice-in-the-vest idea may be useful.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

This course was the easiest marathon course I have ever run.  As noted above, bring a headlamp for the tunnel (there’s a drop station right at the end of the tunnel where headlamps can be left for transport to the finish line) and be ready for a long run on gravel (not big gravel, but also not a smooth, paved surface).

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

Yes.  This is one of the prettiest courses that I’ve run.  The aesthetics are somewhat “spoiled” by the soft roar of the freeway (the course largely parallels the highway for the first 15-18 miles or more) in the background.  When the course ducks away from the freeway into the woods or runs over a creek, though, very nice.

Difficulty – is it a tough course

No.  As noted several times above, this course is the easiest marathon course I’ve ever run.  It is downhill essentially for all 26 miles.  The downs are gradual enough that my quads were not blown out by the run, but steep enough that I definitely knew I was going down, down, down.

Organized and well run – did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

The race was, particularly for its small size, well organized.  While this year (2016) was the first year of the Super Tunnel event, the race follows the exact same course as the Tunnel Light and Light at the End of the Tunnel races and is organized by the same people.  The other races have been going on (and filling up) for years – the people organizing the race know what they are doing and did well.

Competition – is there a strong field?

Ummm…  I finished 6th overall.  Which lets you know that Meb most definitely was not out there.  This was a small race and there were no elites, no big names (to my knowledge), or even local legends out there for this run.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

No.  I registered very early because the sister races (Light at the End of the Tunnel and Tunnel Light) fill up.  I don’t believe that this race filled.  I got in with no issues – just went online and signed registered.

Aid Stations

There were aid stations every 2-3 miles.  All were stocked with water and-or energy drink.  I believe that some were stocked with gels.  There were only a couple of people at several of the aid stations, so (as noted above), getting two drinks meant sacrificing time to run a loop.

Weather and typical race conditions

As noted above, heat could be an issue in late August in this part of the country.  The course is in the mountains, though, so heat is not guaranteed.  August is generally known to be one of the more consistently nice weather months here in the Northwest.  So chances are comparatively low that inclement weather will mess up the race.

Gear – did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

No.  When I saw that temperatures weren’t going to be too high, I went with bare-bones attire.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

Not really.  There is access to the course by road (it looked like) at about 13 miles and then again at about 20 miles along the course.  The start is road accessible, as is the finish.  Otherwise, the course is not readily accessible for spectators.

Awards

None to my knowledge. Finishers receive a shirt and a medal.

The Overall Score – how many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it.

For the first time ever, I will award a race ten out of ten stars.  Please recall, though, my comments about setting a personal record and achieving a big goal on this particular run.  My assessment of the race is filtered through rose-colored glasses.

Nevertheless, if you are interested in a fast full marathon in the Northwest that is small, goes through the woods, is well organized and is fast (did I say that already?), the Super Tunnel Marathon is definitely one to consider.

super tunnel marathon

Tunnel Vision Marathon – Dionne H

Race:  Tunnel Vision Marathon (Part of Tunnel Marathon series)

Runner: Dionne H

Date: 8/21/2016

Location: Hyak, WA

Results – 3:41:02

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

  • Small race/not overly crowded
  • Fast course
  • Boston qualifier

Not so much – aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

I can’t think of anything.

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

You are going through Hyak tunnel that is pitch-black and damp in the beginning of the race and you will need to use a head-light.

Highlights of your race – what did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular

The fast course. It keeps on going downhill but not steep enough for you to feel uncomfortable.

Lessons for others – share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

I ran the course once during one of my long runs, 21 miles, and that helps a lot.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Check with the weather forecast.

I thought I was going to need my vest (wasn’t in the game plan) because it was supposed to be a warm day. But after checking again in the morning I realized I will be finishing right around when the temperature is in the high 60’s low 70’s.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The last 3-4 miles of the course were flat all the way to the finish line.

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

It can be at several spots.

Difficulty – is it a tough course

No.

Organized and well run – did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

It is well organized.

Competition – is there a strong field?

I don’t know but one thing I know is that this race is popular for those trying to get BQ.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Register early.

Aid Stations –

Several of them.

Weather and typical race conditions –

Warm. Start out in the 50’s but by the time you are done it can be in low to high 70’s. Put sunscreen on, the sun will be on your back throughout the entire ran.

Gear – did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

Running gaitors will keep gravels out of your shoes.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

Yes. Plenty of access to the trail.

The Overall Score – how many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it

I give it a 4 out of 5. It is a fast course, makes it feel like you are running your tempo pace on a good day. We just don’t need the noise from I-90.