“This was my first attempt at the 100-mile distance, and I was worried about cutoffs. I really wanted to get that buckle! I was thrilled that I was able to finish strong and get that buckle with a little over 2 hours to spare. I’d been around 1.25-1.5 hrs ahead of the previous cutoffs (miles 26, 55, 70), so I was really glad to expand that a bit in the home stretch. I think I paced myself fairly steadily, and I had enough left in the tank to run in the last 10k or so. I wound up passing people that I hadn’t seen since the earlier part of the race.”

Race: Mountain Lakes 100

Runner: Christy S

Race Date: 09/21/2019

Location: Olallie Lake, Oregon

Results: 27:58:43

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

1) Scenery for first 26 miles
2) Volunteers and aid stations
3) Well-organized event, well-marked trails, nice buckle
(sorry, that’s more than three)

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

-I got a bee sting in the first three miles.
-I fell early in the race (but that was my fault and could have happened anywhere).
-More portapotty locations (at aid stations on roads would be nice); there were 3 locations, but my GI doesn’t like ultras.
-The part that repeated (30M on the PCT) wasn’t as scenic as I’d hoped, but maybe I was just tired.

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

It’s not weird, but there’s zero cell coverage anywhere (start, finish, major aid stations), which makes it a bit tricky to plan with crew and pacers. And the one-lane forest road to the start/finish is a little dicey.

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

This was my first attempt at the 100-mile distance, and I was worried about cutoffs. I really wanted to get that buckle! I was thrilled that I was able to finish strong and get that buckle with a little over 2 hours to spare. I’d been around 1.25-1.5 hrs ahead of the previous cutoffs (miles 26, 55, 70), so I was really glad to expand that a bit in the home stretch. I think I paced myself fairly steadily, and I had enough left in the tank to run in the last 10k or so. I wound up passing people that I hadn’t seen since the earlier part of the race.

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

This was my first hundred, so I don’t have any pro tips to share. Just the usual stuff: don’t start too fast, keep eating, drinking, and always moving forward. Avoid chairs and warming tents! I never sat down except in the 4 portapotties along the course.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Pacers and crew are awesome! Line them up early and have backups too. Have more liquid calorie options that I can suck down quickly when I don’t feel like eating anything; baby food pouches are helpful for drop bags, they’re bulky to carry. (Because I planned to eat a good portion of real food, I found I didn’t really bring enough gels once I couldn’t stomach solid food after about mile 40.)

Double-check batteries and lighting in advance; I forgot the proper battery for my Kogalla light and had to use a USB pack, which died after about 3 hours. I had backup, but it wasn’t nearly as bright.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

It’s well-marked. The first 26 miles is the most scenic part (I think), unless you can run miles 55-70 in the light. 11k elevation change doesn’t sound like a lot over 100M (and isn’t compared to many mountain races), but it still adds up. Most of the race is between 3000-5000ft elevation (high point at 5700ft), so the weather and temperatures can vary quite a bit throughout the race.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes, though most of the “Mountain Lakes” are in the first 26-mile loop, except for Timothy Lake (miles 55-70), which I ran in the dark. The lakes are gorgeous! The race bills itself “One of the country’s most beautiful 100-milers.” I’m a jaded Northwesterner because we have so many spectacular places here, so I thought the 30 miles that repeated on the Pacific Crest Trail (miles 26-55, 70-100) were not that amazing. Pretty enough, but kind of the standard PNW forest with occasional views. The start/finish at Olallie Lake with Mt. Jefferson behind it is stunning!

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

For me, yes. 100 miles is tough. For a mountain/trail 100, it’s probably comparatively “easy” – that’s why I picked it as a good first one. But it was still plenty challenging for me, and it has quite a few rocky/rooted areas that aren’t particularly runnable, especially when being careful not to fall. (In typical fashion, I fell on the road part instead—just when I let my guard down.)

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

Go Beyond Racing puts on awesome races. I have been very impressed by all of them. Well-organized events, well-marked courses. I also appreciate how they reduce waste by having a cupless race, incentives for carpooling, and reusable mugs at the finish line.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

I think it’s a regional draw (mostly OR, WA, BC, ID) and doesn’t attract the big-name racers. (CR is 16:15 for men and 16:24 for women.)

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 a popular race with a lottery entry, capped at 170 spots. I think you register in January and the lottery drawing is the first week of February. I think in 2018 (when they instituted the lottery, I think) and 2019, the waitlist has cleared, so you can probably get in if you train and are willing to wait. I started at #37 in February and got in in late July. Trail work (8 hours) is required by Sept 1, so do that early. It was a scramble for me to complete when I got in off of the waitlist with an already-booked August calendar (but I should have done it before I got in).

If you can book the Olallie Lake Resort (at start/finish) right away, that would be awesome. There’s nothing else near the start. We stayed in Government Camp on Mt. Hood, which is about 1.5hrs away (though 30mins from the big aid station at mile 55/70).

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

I had to carry all my own food due to my delicate GI needs (celiac disease), but they seemed very well stocked. I was grateful for the broth in the night hours! They had GU gels and hydration, which I’m not a fan of. It looked like they had quesadillas, sandwiches, and the usual ultra fare. The night aid stations had festive lighting, costumes, and music, especially the Timothy Lake Dam – wow! The volunteers were awesome!

Weather and typical race conditions

I think it varies a lot from year to year. It’s the autumn equinox weekend in the Oregon mountains, so it could be summer, fall, or winter – or more than one season in the weekend! I think we generally lucked out with weather this year – no snow on the course. It was about 38 degrees F at the start (8am Sat), but it was clear, sunny, and quickly warmed up to the 70s. It cooled off once it got dark, maybe in the 40s at the higher elevations and 50s around Clackamas AS/Timothy Lake (mile 55-70, overnight for me). It started raining by mid/late morning, but it didn’t get hard until after I finished (noon).

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

I found poles to be helpful, especially for the climb back up to Olallie Lake in the last stretch of the race. But I carried them for the whole time and used them sporadically even in the early parts, on more technical sections. When I left Olallie Lake (mile 26), I needed to dress for the heat of the day as well as the transition into night (warmth, light)… so I basically needed to carry all the things for that 30-mile stretch to my next dropbag/crew spot. (My friend didn’t have her jacket with her, and she got really cold in those last few hours.)

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

It’s a beautiful area, but pretty much the only place to see runners is the start/finish/mile 26 (Olallie Lake) and mile 55/70 (Clackamas Lake)… and it’s about a 1.5hr drive on slow roads between them.

How’s the Swag?

I love my buckle!! And a finisher’s pint glass. They also have long- and short-sleeve tees (technical and non), hoodies, beanies, etc. available for pre-order and for sale at the race.

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

4.5 stars – yes, I would definitely recommend it to others.

“Lessons for others: Lights – My 150 Lumen Petzl, fine for the Burke Gilman, didn’t stand a chance against the fog and darkness of the wilderness. I lost a couple of places at night because I couldn’t see where I was going too well. Smile and enjoy the run. Things will go wrong, or unexpectedly. Work around them.”

Race: Mountain Lakes 100

Runner: Roey P

Race Date: 09/22/2018

Location: Ollie Lake, Oregon

Results: 22:52:29

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

1. The Course – Beautiful PNW Forest that winds through mountains, and around lakes. The scenery is mesmerizing.
2. The Aid Stations – Friendly, helpful, fun volunteers that were encouraging! My crew missed me (more than once, but more on that later) at the 55 mile mark, and one of the volunteers paced me for 15 miles!
3. The Community – The Facebook group was a friendly, chatty place even before the race started. It spilled over onto race day, and the race itself. Great group of people all around this race!

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

• Could use a few more markers. I am always nervous that I missed a turn, or got off the trail. It was always a little longer than I am comfortable with between markers.
• Crew Location – With 16 aid stations, it was sometimes 25 or more miles between crew locations.
• My Crew – I had to wait 35 minutes for them at the Aid Station at mile 26. I would have just ran off, but I needed my warmer gear, as it would be nightfall before I saw them again.
• Then at Mile 55, they were late again. I took off with aforementioned volunteer runner.

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

Nothing really too weird.

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

I fueled early and often. I took in about 300-400 calories every hour. I made sure to drink water. I paced it out nicely. Hiked the uphills, ran the flats and downhills. Sub 24 hours for my first 100 was well beyond what I expected.

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

• Lights – My 150 Lumen Petzl, fine for the Burke Gilman, didn’t stand a chance against the fog and darkness of the wilderness. I lost a couple of places at night because I couldn’t see where I was going too well.
• Smile and enjoy the run. Things will go wrong, or unexpectedly. Work around them.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Smile. Smile. Smile. Roll with the punches. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. Be mindful, be grateful.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

It’s really runnable. However, the last 30 miles has some sustained ascents.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Absolutely gorgeous. Mountains, Lakes, Streams, Forests! What more could you ask for.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

I don’t believe so. Only ~11000 feet of elevation gain, and an incredibly cushy terrain.

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

Very well. Crew directions were a little weird, so if you get a chance, have them drive the course the day before.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

It’s a WS Qualifier, so probably.

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 fills up really quickly. Book your hotels early. We were lucky to get a great Airbnb about an hour away.

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

Fully Stocked. All the usual stuff and then some! Perogis at two Aid Stations were an amazing experience!

Weather and typical race conditions

Cold, Rainy. It has snowed a little in previous years. It was 54 when we started, and dropped to 27 through the night.

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

Bright headlamp. It gets DARK in the middle of the forest at night.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

There were 7 Stations were crew can be. However, it was recommended that they not try to find the Dam Station, as it was difficult to get to.

How’s the Swag?

Amazing! A pair of Nike Trail Shoes, Finisher Buckle, and a drinking glass!

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

5 out of 5. A must run for first timers!

“This course is absolutely gorgeous! It starts and finishes at the lake with a view of Mt. Jefferson. Views are incredible from the first section loop, then you head north on the PCT, which is pristine forest and soft, singletrack. You get views of Mt. Hood before darkness falls. The weather was perfect! Sunny and blue skies on race morning. I think the high temps were 65. It did drop into the 30’s overnight, but not a problem at all. The next morning it warmed up quickly into the 70’s. Although I was hot for the last 10+ miles, it felt good to finish warm and not need to get wrapped up in blankets.”

Race: Mountain Lakes 100

Runner: Daisy C

Date: Sept. 24th-25th

Location: Olallie Lake. Mt. Hood National Forest, OR

Results: Down to the wire! 29:30

Bests:

This course is absolutely gorgeous! It starts and finishes at the lake with a view of Mt. Jefferson. Views are incredible from the first section loop, then you head north on the PCT, which is pristine forest and soft, singletrack. You get views of Mt. Hood before darkness falls.

The weather was perfect! Sunny and blue skies on race morning. I think the high temps were 65. It did drop into the 30’s overnight, but not a problem at all. The next morning it warmed up quickly into the 70’s. Although I was hot for the last 10+ miles, it felt good to finish warm and not need to get wrapped up in blankets.

This is NOT a technical course. There are rocky sections, but if you run any trails up off I-90, you will be just fine here. It is very runnable and suitable for trail novices.

Course is well marked, volunteers and staff were very supportive.

 

Things to consider:

This race is REMOTE! There is no cell service, no internet and the roads are rough once you leave civilization off highway 224. Crew will need to navigate tough forest service roads to get to aid stations. AWD vehicle highly recommended!

There are no drop bags for large sections. So, if you are like me and rely on your own fuel, you will be carrying extra weight (I trained for this). *this is why pacers can actually “mule” for you after mile 72.

The nearest town is over 1.5 hours away. Plan to stay near the start by renting a cabin or camping.

 

Highlights:

Certainly the beauty of the area was a major highlight for me. And the fact that this was my first 100 miler, I was super happy for most it given the lows and pain that you get stripped down to at this level. I trained well and approached this race with a strong mental base, which was applied again and again over the course of the last 70+ miles.

Running with my first pacer, Arya on the Timothy Lake loop miles 55-72 was probably one of my favorite sections. First, I was elated to run with a friend and mentor. Second, sharing the outer limits of my mileage and hitting 100k was momentous! Arya kept me focused and reminded me how strong I had become in training. That helped me stay positive!

I ended up not having a pacer for the last 30+ miles. This could have been a disaster, but instead it’s one of the things I’m most proud of! I mustered all of my stubbornness and fight and finished alone.

The last two things that went very well were my fueling and my feet. Now, I’m sure I’ve said this before, so bear with me! You MUST train your gut! There is no way around it. If you don’t, you will most certainly have GI issues. I spent the last year dialing in my fueling and hydration. This doesn’t mean I was guaranteed no gut problems, but I had ZERO GI issues. Not a single one. Really! I stayed hydrated, I ate every 30 minutes. It was fantastic!

I’m a believer in foot care. During training, during races. I had two small areas of hot spots and a small blister under a callus that we drained and taped up at mile 29. After that, no issues. Drymax socks! The best!!

Lessons:

Smile no matter what! Take in the beauty of each moment and appreciate the privilege of being a part of the ultra running community. There is nothing else quite like it. I can only say that this race changed my life. It pushed me through some of the most painful moments I have ever experienced. It helped me see how strong and resilient I can be when it’s warranted. 100 miles is hard work and there is no way I would have finished if I didn’t have such amazing people in my corner. I injured my knee pretty bad at mile 29, and for a brief second I worried about not finishing. My crew had strict instructions to not let me quit under any circumstances and once I got my knee doctored up, I was determined to keep running no matter what and finish this race. I also had the opportunity to face fears, which now has instilled in me a new level of confidence that I can apply to all areas of my life! Running alone in the dark provided plenty of time for me to reflect on how I want to proceed in my life and why it matters to live your passion and share your joy with purpose and kindness.

This running ultras shit is crazy good stuff!

Difficulty:

Beginner friendly in terms of elevation gain at just under 11,000 feet. It’s still 100 miles. But overall, this is great race to try as a first. Not technical. Mountain weather can be a problem. This race was shut down in 2013 due to a typhoon!! And last year the nighttime temps were less than 20 degrees. The climbs are doable.

Aid Stations:

Pretty darn awesome! But keep in mind that if you go without crew, you will rely on them more or carry lots of food with you. I avoided the warming tents and fires, because I knew I’d have a hard time leaving. Hot veggie broth at 4am is a game changer!

Gear:

Salomon Sense Lab vest. 1.5 hydration bladder. 500 mL soft bottle.

Altra Olympus 2

Drymax medium weight socks

CEP calf sleeves

Garmin 920XT (it lost battery at 19 hours–unacceptable!)

Headsweats cap

Buff wrap

Oiselle team singlet

Oiselle bra

Oiselle roga shorts

2XU compression shorts

Oiselle Burke jacket

Northface neoprene gloves

Petzl Nao and Reactik headlamps

Crew Access:

I was able to see crew at six locations. This was perfect. You can only pick up pacers at miles 55 and 72. The roads are rough, but the longest they had to drive from the start was about 1.5 hours.

The Overall Score:

A+

Hands down a great race. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to try a 100, and as a fast finish for my more experienced friends. You just can’t beat the flowing single track trail on the PCT. And nearly every portion is spectacularly beautiful.

So, what’s stopping you? Are you considering a 100 miler? Go do it!