Race: Needles 50k

Runner: Anson Fatland

Race Date: 7/24/2021

Location: Easton, WA

Results: 29th OA

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/5681826927/overview

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

1) It is as advertised. It’s a super casual, support-yourself, have-fun-in-the-mountains type of race.
2) The course is BEAUTIFUL.
3) The people are wonderful. Rich and his team are great, and pretty much everyone who shows up to run is super nice.

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

I’m not sure there is anything that didn’t do it for me. It’s a great experience all around.

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

The aid stations are advertised as “gas stations in the woods” and they deliver. I’d say they are like a good AM/PM.

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

I went into this as a training effort for Cascade Crest. I wanted to pace myself well, focus on nutrition and hydration, and finish feeling good. I feel like I did those things well.

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

It is as advertised. It’s not under-sold! If you show up to rely (mostly) on yourself to spend a day in the woods getting through 33 miles with what’s on your back you’ll have a great time. Oh, there is a decent amount of water on the course, so if you bring a filter you’ll never be too far from something to drink.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

The climbs are no joke, but the descents are for real, too. What goes up…

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

I feel like we all know about how hard the course is, but the aid stations are around 12.8 and 24.9 miles, so there’s a good distance and about 5000′ of climbing between each one. So plan your nutrition accordingly.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes. Gorgeous.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Yep. Good climbs and descents. The trails in some parts are loose and rutted, increasing the degree of difficulty.

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

Super well-oiled. The pre-race communications were great, the camping was fun, and Rich and his crew know their sh!t.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Yes, this felt like a very strong field. It can be hard not to get caught up in the electricity of a fast start but it’s a long day so run your race, not someone else’s.

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 can’t remember how I heard about this, I think a friend mentioned it to me? I believe the field was capped around 70 people and all but three made it from the waitlist. Suggest camping the night before; it’s fun and makes the drive Saturday morning that much easier.

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

“Gas station in the woods”

Weather and typical race conditions

Sunny, warm. Good tree cover for a fair amount so while it can be hot there’s good shade.

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

First race using gaiters and they helped. And poles. Great race for poles.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Nope. It’s pretty remote with one, maybe two places where you can see the runners.

How’s the Swag?

Fabulous! I got a button and I love it.

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

Five Stars!

Race: Needles 50k

Runner: Matt U

Date: 7/22/17

Location: Easton, WA

Results – 6:19, 1st place and CR

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

• I ran well. It’s easy to like a race when you manage the day well, you finish strong, and you place well. 🙂
• The camping the night before was great (and would have been fun on Saturday as well). This was a great chance for catching up with old friends and finally connecting with people in the community that I’ve only known online so far.
• I love that I got a Cascade Crest 100 preview with the final 16 miles. With Cascade being my target race, not only was this good course scouting, but it was also a big confidence booster b/c I was able to run the latter parts of the course strongly.

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

• This is more about my weaknesses and nothing bad about the race. The first climb is steep and was one that I needed to hike. I suck at steep hiking. However, I kept my cool, got it done, and then enjoyed the rest of the course which played much more to my strengths. There were also some steep descents early on that had me holding onto tree branches and hoping hard that I wouldn’t be bouncing down the mountain.

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

• Nothing really weird going on, but unique to this race was Rich’s wild inflatable tube man with the crazy arms at the finish line. 🙂 And Adam’s food at the end – yes!

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

• I crushed the second half (for me anyway). Once we hit the downhill fire road to the first aid station I was running. And I was able to keep running nearly the entirety of the course from then on. Big confidence boost for my uphill running as I was able to find a low grinder gear on nearly all the hills including the Needles later in the race – super cool feeling to be running so much of the course.

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

• Chill out early. That first climb is steep and long. It’s a long race with slow times so don’t shoot your wad on that first up. And along those lines, don’t fall on your face or fret about being cautious on some of those steep early climbs.
• There are creeks and a lake you can cool off in after the first aid station. It was warm and sunny and these quick cool down submersions were a big help in keeping my core cooler.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

• I might need a little more water. I did two 0.5L soft flask for this course and I was thirsty getting into each aid station. I was fine overall, but it would have been nice to have a tad more. Apparently there is a spigot up on Thorpe Mt as well. I probably wouldn’t have spent the time b/c I was trying to keep moving, but looking back, that sure would have been a nice spot for a drink!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

• There are lots of runnable portions – just not in the beginning, so be patient. If you’re looking to race this one, know your strengths, use them when the course permits, and otherwise, don’t waste energy. In short, there are spots on this course to waste energy – avoid doing this if you want to race this course well.

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

• Fantastic! There were big views of lakes and mountains all over the place. I passed an early start guy from Florida midway through the race and I asked him how this compared to running back in Florida – “This freaking crushes Florida!!”

Difficulty – is it a tough course

• Yeah. As always, depends on what you think is tough, but total climb is big, that first steep climb is legit, and those spiky Needles are not there to make things any easier.

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

• Rich and Adam know their stuff. It’s a low key run but it all went smoothly and was fun to be part of. I felt like I was part of some special Pacific NW ultra club just being there!

Competition – is there a strong field?

• Not yet.

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.

• Fills up early and has a waitlist. So if you want in, be on it and sign up early. Camping at the start is awesome – I highly recommend it. There are also some places nearby with cabins for rent and probably more lodging not far away in Cle Elum.

Aid Stations

• Far apart and never soon enough! This was not a surprise though and it was made clear to us that anything available was to be seen as a nice bonus. This was true to expectations. The folks were all nice and helpful and I got what I needed – cold water!

Weather and typical race conditions –

• Summer in the Pacific NW is awesome. Unless it’s an abnormal day, you’re in for a treat!

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

• Salomon 5L vest with 1L soft flask water capacity. Salomon Exo short tights with some bloks and gels in the pockets. I’m not a guy that runs with poles, but there were people using them out there, and knowing the course, this isn’t unreasonable.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

• I don’t think there were any spectators and maybe there was a way to get out there to cheer, but if so, it wasn’t easy. Julie and Paavo were hanging out at the Start/Finish, from start to finish!

Awards –

• The Newman’s Limeade at the finish was awesome, and b/c I was first, I got as much as I wanted!

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

• Love it! 5/5. Small local race that delivered.

Race: Needles 50k

Runner: Dan L

Date: 7/22/17

Location: Easton, WA

Results – 9:46 (seconds? we don’t need no stinking seconds)

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

– Camping before and after was wonderful
– Small and super friendly race
– Ability to explore new area with great views (Mt Stuart among others)

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

The name “Needles 50K” is just too close to “Needless 50K”… something I reflected on a few times during the first 10 miles.

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

I’m pretty sure I was DFL for about the first 10 miles. Due to course difficulty and desire to have everyone done by ~6pm, almost half the field took the early start option. Then I started about a minute late relative to the field because I was fixing my shoe. Took 10 miles to reestablish contact with anyone : )

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

I got knocked down, but I got up again. They’re never gonna keep me down. I got knocked down, but I got up again. They’re never gonna keep me down.

Mostly, I channeled my inner Chumbawumba to get through this race.

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

– The first 10 miles is definitely the hardest.
– There is a hard left turn around mile 18 that I missed. The course markings were obvious if my head had been up and the course markers had tried to place barriers in the trail. With fewer participants, it’s harder to just follow the crowd. Stay aware and the course markings aren’t hard to follow. The section between Little Joe Lake and Thorp Mountain is a little more tricky than the rest and probably warrants special attention (just because the trails themselves at places are harder to follow).

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

The climbing does eventually stop! I think having seen the course will help me chunk it up into sections and progress my way through the one I’m in. I do much better when I can count down to specific accomplishments, and I will be much better able to do so in the future on this race.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Distance to both aid station #1 and aid station #2 is about 12 miles each. There is no water prior to aid station #1, and it can get quite warm (at least it did in 2017) before aid station #2. If you sweat a lot like me, 3L of water is not a ridiculous amount to have at start and after aid #1.

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

Very pretty

Difficulty – is it a tough course

Yes. 10.5K of gain understates how difficult the course is. Descents are also kind of gnarly in spots. There are a few cruiser miles, but not many.

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

Definitely well-organized. There’s only about 70 people, so lots of things are informal and ad hoc, but Rich White and Adam Hewey and their volunteers do a great job hosting a fun event.

Competition – is there a strong field?

I don’t know? Is Matt Urbanski strong?

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.

Super convenient! Camp at the start finish. Can wake up an hour before race start and still have plenty of time to get ready.

Aid Stations

Two aid stations, with super enthusiastic volunteers, who then become sweepers.

Weather and typical race conditions –

Mid-70s by afternoon.

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

Poles might have been useful. I didn’t use them, and I’m not normally a fan, but this was a climby course.

Everyone should wear a space cat taco pizza tank top at some point during the weekend. It makes you an immediate super star.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

Are your family and friends capable of running an ultra themselves? Great!! Then if they choose to do about 7,000 feet of climbing and 20 miles, they might manage to see you for about 15 seconds.

Only slightly exaggerating. Did not see a single spectator.

Awards –

I don’t know? Did Matt win anything?

Everyone gets a headband that is a nature-y green with big deer print on it which either Rich or Adam spray painted “Needles 50K” onto. It’s super sweet, Rambo-type swag.

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

***** That’s 5 stars folks.

Race: Needles 50k

Runner: Stephanie

Date: 7/22/17

Location: Easton, WA

Results – 7:50:38, 2nd female and 8th overall

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

1. The whole atmosphere of the race. Small, friendly, relaxed.

2. The final 2/3rds of the course – it seemed so easy relative to the first climb!

3. The final downhill stretch was really fun & runnable.

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

Nothing. It was a great event.

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

How hard the downhills are! I was expecting the hard ups, but not how steep and technical the downhills would be.