Washington

Chuckanut 50k Race Report – Sam Peckham

Race: Chuckanut 50k

Runner: Sam Peckham

Race Date: 03/19/2022

Location: Bellingham, WA

Results: https://runsignup.com/race/results/?raceId=71999#resultSetId-303922;perpage:100

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/6850351823

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

This is an iconic and competitive 50k. Being part of such a cool event felt amazing. There were so many big names from the PNW running community out there. It is well run, the crowds were fun and the course is epic!

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

The biggest flub of the weekend was the shuttle bus situation. There wasn’t parking at the start line so we had to park at a local college campus and get shuttled over. Getting to the start line wasn’t too bad- they had multiple shuttles running and we didn’t wait more than 5 minutes before we were loaded and heading to the start line. However, after the race started, my crew had issues getting back to the car. The delays getting back to the car meant they missed me at the first aid station, which is the ONLY aid station the crews are allowed to access. That was extremely frustrating for me and my crew.

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

They had lots of goofy signs once we made it on to the single track.

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

I went out relatively conservatively the first 10k (which is flat and fast) and on the first two climbs (Fragrance Lake Trail and Cleaner road). As a result I had good energy going up Chinscraper (the final and steepest climb) and for the last 10k.

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

Like any ultra, be patient the first half! The advice most people gave me was save some for the final 10k.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Ridge Trail is a BEAST. Looking on the elevation profile it looks mostly downhill but it is technical, waaaay more than the rest of the course. I was fortunate enough to preview the middle 18 miles a few weeks before so I was mentally prepared for it but if I hadn’t seen it before, it would’ve been a shock to the system.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Absolutely – if the clouds part. Weather in March in the PNW is very hit or miss. Even in the rain the forest is beautiful though.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Tough course for sure. The first and last 10k are relatively flat on the interurban trail which is a wide gravel path. The 5k+ of elevation gain is spread over the middle 18 miles is really hard. Mentally I broke the race up into four climbs. The first climb is up the Fragrance Lake trail and is, in my opinion, the easiest of the day. It’s relatively simple single track for 2 miles with about 1k of climbing. The second is Cleater road – a wide gravel road climbing 1200ft in just under 3 miles. The descent after Cleater road is the Ridge trail which is really technical and not one you can just coast down. Next up is the Lost Lake Trail which is about 3 miles of very gradual/ rolling climbs with a net gain of about 800ft. Finally is Chinscraper which is a really steep covering 800ft in less than a mile. The top of Chinscraper is the high point in the course and then you descend down cleater road to the Fragrance Lake trail and then to the interurban trail for the last 10k.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

One of the most competitive 50ks in the PNW.

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

I had a Stryd powermeter on my shoe that I lost on the Ridge trail. I would recommend not brining a footpad or tape it to your shoe. I was very sad to see that fall off my shoe.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Not particularly. Spectators aren’t really able to get to any of the aid stations other than the first and last one.

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

9/10 would recommend

Chuckanut 50k Race Report – Nick Keenan

Race: Chuckanut 50k

Runner: Nick Keenan

Race Date: 03/19/2022

Location: Bellingham WA

Results: 6:03

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/6850385310/overview

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

  • Amazing course – beautiful, variable, and challenging
  • Big race, big names, well run – 400+ runners, but because of the openness of the first 6 miles, and some of the forest roads, passing and positioning is easy. Great to see some of the top runners in the country there. Race management, aid stations, and finish-line flare are all top-notch.
  • Downhills are all runnable.

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

Race packet swag only available if you pickup before race-day

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

Non-race participants out on the trail went above and beyond getting out of the way of racers.

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

Loved the scenery and varying terrain and footing. Muddy. Slippery boulders. Hands-on-knees climbs. Some humorous signage out of the course.

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

I paced the super-flat first six miles well. The last six miles can be a joy or a death march — save something to finish the flat six miles well. Study up on the pictures of the top men and women runners so you can recognize them at the start/finish.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

First and last six miles are flat bike path, plan accordingly.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Trail section is gorgeous.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

5,000 ft gain/loss. Some tough climbs, and all downhills were runnable. Rooty sections. Rocky/boulder sections. Muddy sections!! The first and last six miles are wide-bike path.

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

Well-run, top notch.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Extremely 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.

Shuttle from parking at Western to the starting line, easy enough. Simple drive up from Seattle.

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

Standard fare.

Weather and typical race conditions

March in the PNW – 2022 lucked out with only ten minutes of rain, and good temp.

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

Good traction shoes. 7 miles between some aid stations.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Seems like a few spots to see racers. Live tracking was available.

How’s the Swag?

Finisher’s scarf — very cool. More swag if you pickup your packet before race-day

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Race Report – Matthew Bigman

Race: Lake Sammamish Half Marathon

Runner: Coach Matthew Bigman

Race Date: 03/05/2022

Location: Redmond, Washington

Results: 1:13:10 – 6th overall

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/6778090358

 

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

  1. Meeting Team Run Run people!
  2. The course was very flat and fast for the most part
  3. It was easily accessible to park near, and shuttles were plentiful and quick to get back to the start.

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

  • This race was cupless. On one hand I do think it’s fantastic to reduce waste. However, it’s very difficult to justify spending precious time stopping at an aid station to fill up your reusable cup. I didn’t drink anything, which wasn’t really a problem.
  • Two other things stood out. One, I almost got run over by a car when finishing the race!! That was wild. Second, I think I got goose or dog poop on my Nike Vaporflys! Come on!!

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

The last .25 or so of the race was incredibly janky. It had many turns on a narrow paved trail with mud over it. There was also a 90-degree turn into the finishing chute.

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

I raced very smartly and executed my plan well! Although my coach had a more conservative goal in mind, I’m quite intuitive with my races. I started off at what I believed to be conservative, maintained this for a few miles, than very gradually increased the pace when it made sense. I also stuck about 15-20 seconds behind the main group and passed people as they slowed. I didn’t get passed once! I’m really proud of how I kept myself calm, used positive self talk, and raced really hard.

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

This is definitely a race to simulate that faster and flatter marathon you’re doing. Start off just a bit slower than goal pace, then work your way into it and fight to maintain your pace like a tempo run! Just a very, very, long tempo run.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

A pre-race gel might be something I try next time just to avoid some mental fog towards the end!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

There is a decent hill after mile 7, but if you stay strong up the hill, you will recover quickly and get a fast split for the next mile which is mostly steep downhill! Then is flat and fast to the finish.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yeah! It runs by Lake Sammamish so it was quite pretty. To be honest, I wasn’t really taking in the sights!

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

No besides the janky finish and the hill (which is worth it for the downhill in my opinion).

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

Yes, it was well run enough for a race of its size. It only started a couple minutes late and I noticed no issues. The bus shuttling back was very efficient.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Yes! I wasn’t completely alone at any point of the race. I always had people to target and chase.

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 registered 3 months ahead of time. It’s very accessible to Seattle, and was not difficult to get to. Additional parking was available too.

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

There was nuun at the aid stations, which is not ideal in my opinion since it’s very low in calories! If you’re out there for 90 minutes – 2 hours, you’ll need some calories.

Weather and typical race conditions

The weather was perfect!! We couldn’t have asked for a better race day. It was overcast and in the 40s. Just how I like it.

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

Some light gloves may be warranted, especially at the start.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

If your friend has a car, then yes! The trail seemed accessible at multiple points from the road. I saw Dionne a handful of times!! (Thanks for the support!)

How’s the Swag?

I love the shirt actually. It’s a tri-blend, cool graphic on the front, but no cheesy sponsorships or even year to be seen! Looks like a graphic tee from Gap or Banana Republic.

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

4/5 stars!! I definitely recommend this race. My thoughts are that it was 95% amazing and 5% terrible.

Matthew Bigman is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about him or to work with Coach Matthew, check out his coaching page.

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Race Report – John Gregson

Race: Lake Sammamish Half Marathon

Runner: John Gregson

Race Date: 03/05/2022

Location: Redmond, WA

Results: 1:48:15

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/6778159090/overview

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

  1. Nice and flat (minus one hill) scenic course that’s minutes from my home.
  2. Typically well run Orca race. Great volunteers, organized, good post race food, etc.
  3. Perfect weather (clear, low 40’s)

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

Due to some trail maintenance, the course had a two-mile detour that took racers up a ~4% grade hill between miles 7-8.

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

I don’t know if this is “weird” these days, but Orca’s races are cupless, which means carrying your own hydration.

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

I loved that this race was on my go-to training trail. I feel like I had my nutrition/hydration dialed in and stuck to my goal pace throughout. I was also able to meet up with some TRR runners beforehand for a little warmup jog, which was great.

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

Other than the hill, which should be a temporary thing, plan for a flat course with moderate racer congestion over the first couple of miles. The course is primarily paved, but there is a section of compact dirt/gravel. Ample nearby parking (I parked in the Redmond Town Center garage near the Marriott and walked to the start line) and the portapotty lines weren’t too bad.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

My watch GPS was tracking pretty well until the last couple of miles and the finish line came up a little sooner than I was expecting. In hindsight, I should have started my final push when making the big right turn on NW Sammamish Road, which leads into the finish line park.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The trail is very popular, so keep your head up and eyes/ears open for non-racers. Also look out for the posts in the middle of the trail that you’ll find at road crossings.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes, course runs along East Lake Sammamish which is beautiful.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

No. Other than the (temporary) detour up the hill, the course is really flat. Typically great running weather in the area this time of year too.

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

Well-oiled machine.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Seemed like a strong field. Even with a PR, I finished slightly ahead of middle of the pack for my division, which was maybe a little lower than other recent halfs in the area. I get the sense that this fast/flat course attracts a lot runners looking to PR.

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 don’t know if it sold out or not, but I registered for the race in early February (one-month prior to race) without any issues. Given that the start line was 3.5 miles from my house, I didn’t need to worry about hotels or anything. Can’t imagine that it would be an issue though. With the Microsoft campus nearby, there are quite a few hotels to choose from.

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

Again, Orca’s races are cupless. They had stations for filling up bottles, but I blew past them. Seems like they were set up every couple of miles.

Weather and typical race conditions

Temps (40’s) were pretty typical for Redmond in early March, but not having rain was a bonus. You just never know around here. It rained in the days before/after, so we just got lucky I guess.

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

Something to carry hydration if you’re so inclined. I went with a bottle on belt, which was fine. There is a bit of standing around before the race, so if it’s looking like a rain, a disposable rain poncho (or trash bag) might not be a horrible thing to throw in your race bag.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yeah, lots of places to catch runners going buy. I saw the same guy (who may have been with the race) watching about six different times.

How’s the Swag?

Pretty typical. Tech shirt and medal with the race name and artwork. Good quality stuff, but I always like it when they include the date (or year), which they didn’t in this case.

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

Five Stars. Yes, highly recommend.

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Race Report – Chanelle Lansley

Race: Lake Sammamish Half

Runner: Chanelle Lansley

Race Date: 03/05/2022

Location: Seattle, WA

Results: 1:37:35

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

The route and the organizers were great!

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

The starting line was very congested due the narrow trails.

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

Reusable cups (it’s a good thing but was new to me)

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

I enjoyed the friendliness of other participants!!

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

The hill was longer than expected, but there was a nice, equally long downhill.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Find the right pace group!

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Not too difficult

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

Yes, very well managed.

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

Water, nuun, and gels available every 3 miles or so.

Weather and typical race conditions

Great weather!

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

If you need a lot of water, bring your own

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes

How’s the Swag?

T-shirt + medal

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

5 stars!

Vashon Island 50K Race Report – Nick Keenan

Race: Vashon Island 50k

Runner: Nick Keenan

Race Date: 06/05/2021

Location: Vashon Island, WA

Results: 5:12

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/5419971417/overview

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

  • Three-loop course, with a variety of terrain and flora
  • Super friendly Race Director and Volunteers
  • Good course to PR

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

One mile sections of dirt road and pavement – 5.5 times.

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

Many turns on this rolling terrain course. Standard roots and rocks for forested trails, no special traction shoes needed.

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

  • The start is three miles from my house – so a hometown favorite. Great first 50k race for folks.
  • Good access for spectators that want to drive around and either great at road-crossings or do a short hike in to great at mile-5 aid station. There’s a ten mile race as well, little overlap expect for the fastest of 50kers.

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

  • Car-ferry only from Tacoma, Southworth or West Seattle. There’s bus service to ~1/4 mile to the starting line, so you could save the hassle and $ of bring your car and just walk-on and bus.
  • As a June race, it can warm-up on laps 2 and 3, so keep up with hydration. There are some unshaded sections that can really heat you up.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Even splits is so much more fun than going out too fast. Lap three can really be a drag if you’re hurting — as you know exactly where you’re at, as you’ve run the loop twice already.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

  • Road shoes are fine.
  • There is a community watermelon and water table at mile 4, supplementing the mile 5 and mile 10 aid stations.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

  • I’m bias as it’s local to me, but I think it’s beautiful. Wide soft trail around Fisher Pond. Winding and rolling trails in Island Center Forest.
  • No ‘views’ per say, and no water crossing.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

3k total elevation gain, no long climbs — all in 50-100 ft climbs.

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

Experience ultra runner is the Race Director, who does an amazing job. Great volunteers and outstanding finish-line food and beverages.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

There can be, but not usually.

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.

  • Vashon can be accessed only by Car-ferry 20 min crossing from Tacoma, Southworth or West Seattle. Line for the ferry can be long in the summer, and you should get to the dock at least thirty minutes early! Short and easy drive from the dock.
  • Camping is available at the start, and there are few lodging options on island.
  • Plenty of restaurants and breweries in-town for post-race relaxing.

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

Standard stuff, but don’t rely on gels from them as the 10 milers can drain their supplies.

Weather and typical race conditions

Can be warm ~80 the last ten miles or so, given it’s June in the PNW.

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

5 mile supply of fluids. No special shoes, no poles. Maybe a hat and sunglasses for the sunnier sections.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

  • Great to hang out at the start/10 mile/20 mile/finish.
  • Option to drive to the two road crossings at mile 3, 4, 13, 14, 23, 24. Can hike in ~1/4 mile to the 5/15/25 mile aid station as well.
  • Kid-friendly finish to have young ones run in the last 1/4 mile or whatever to the finish.

How’s the Swag?

Glass finisher’s medal. Great shirts for purchase.

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

Five stars, you know what you’re getting, great for both seasoned ultra runners testing out their speed, or someone trying for their first 50k

Training for your first ultra? Check out our 7 steps to get started towards you first ultra!

Deception Pass 25 Race Report – Rohit Eipe

Race: Deception Pass 25K

Runner: Rohit Eipe

Race Date: 12/12/2021

Location: Deception Pass State Park

Results:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jqc6w4bkpIXdDN45YdHn2LaRxSAniY3BHwc4aIlCek0/edit#gid=0

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/6376702014

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

  • Beautiful scenery along the course; it was by the water most of the time and heavily wooded at other times.
  • Well marked trails – the organizers did a really great job with the arrows for turns and the pink/yellow confidence marker ribbons. I never felt worried about getting lost (or perhaps for no more than a minute or 2 at any point.)
  • Aid stations was reasonably well stocked. Not sure if they water in cups or if it was cup-less but the food was decent. Since I had a pack anyway I didn’t take much, but I snagged a pickle and a PBJ sandwich.
  • Direction and parking was easy and stress free.
  • Wave starts were good; 3 waves at 9, 9:20, 9:40, and they were on time. Fastest and slowest at 9.
  • Excellent pizza (super thin-crust, nicely blistered on bottom) and good beer, coder, etc. at finish.

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

  • So much back and forth over the same trails, lollipops, and figure-eights. Really wish we could have seen more of the park if that was an option, or just spread out more. (I imagine permitting and environmental concerns were the issue, rightly so.) It’s just annoying to constantly let other runners go by in the opposite direction; but it also helps feel less lonely out there.
  • Locations of the aid stations weren’t great; it was just 1 aid station and you hit it at 5.5 and about 7.5, so the entire second half of the race was then unsupported. Not a big deal for a 25K, but wish they could have done more.
  • I wish they’d made it clearer that poles were allowed, because (I’m fairly certain) they’ve said that in some other races they put on that poles were not allowed, and I just assumed they weren’t. Would have helped me a lot.

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

  • I just ran without thinking about time too much or how my body felt or anything. I ended up with surprisingly decent time, and later felt that I could have easily PR-ed if I had paid attention to the time and pushed a little.
  • Fueling went fairly well, both morning-of / before the race as well as during. Didn’t drink enough water probably, but food was good.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Probably use a hiking pole or double-check if they’re allowed.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

  • It’s fairly wet out there (even with no rain during the race), so you definitely want sturdy trail shoes. Poles would actually be pretty great for this race.
  • It’s a lot of up and down for the total amount of ascent involved, rather than just a couple of big hills. The big hills are at 2.5, 8.5 and 12.2 on this iteration of the course.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Very pretty, yeah. The bridge is super high up and I’m a little jittery about heights, so I didn’t stop and take a long look, but it’s a gorgeous view.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

I’d say medium overall. Harder than the total elevation gain makes it seem.

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

Fairly well run overall, especially given the windstorm the day prior, though at parts it did seem like they were flying by the seat of their pants a bit. Example, the wave information came out at 9:55 pm the night before the race.

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.

Finding an Airbnb in the area was hard, so definitely book in advance.

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

Decent food, mediocre location of aid stations.

Weather and typical race conditions

Wet and windy; we got lucky with no rain during the race but plenty the day before.

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

  • Double check if poles are allowed.
  • Sturdy trail shoes.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Somewhat, if your friends can drive, or you can see runners at a few spots as there is a lot of backtracking.

How’s the Swag?

No free swag, but there are some expensive but nice-looking t-shirts.

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

I’d say 4 to 4.5 on 5 stars. Almost perfect but not quite.

Need a checklist to prepare for your next race? We’ve got you covered.

julie urbanski bridle trails 50k

Bridle Trails Race Reports

The Bridle Trails Race Series is typically held in January every year on the East Side of Seattle, with several distance options, as well as team options, on a 5 mile, gently rolling loop, with races starting just before sunset, so it’s a race against the sun to finish. This is a favorite every year for the PNW runners since there are so many distance options and since you have aid every 5 miles, and as long as the course is fairly dry, you can run some fast times on it.

Bridle Trails 50K Race Report

Bridle Trails 50K Race Report – Chase P

Race: Bridle Trails Winter Trail Running Festival - 50k Runner: Chase P Race Date: 01/11/2020 Location: Kirkland, WA Results: 4:55, 13th OA Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/3003313604 3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most? Loop Course - I know the park really well already...but over the course of running 6 laps you REALLY get to ...
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Bridle Trails 50k – Dave S

Race: Bridle Trails 50k Runner: Dave Date: 1/14/2016 Location: Bridle Trails State Park, Kirkland, WA Results: 3:49.29, 3rd place overall and 1st masters 3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most Loop course - I found the loops to be not too long and not too short. 5.2 miles is enough to settle into running, ...
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julie urbanski bridle trails 50k

Bridle Trails 50k – Julie U

Race: Bridle Trails 50k Runner: Julie U Date: 1/14 Location: Bridle Trails State Park, Kirkland WA Results: 4:37, 2nd place female and 10th overall 3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most -So many team members there running the races and cheering us on. It was so great knowing so many other people were out ...
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Bridle Trails 5k – Mark P

Race: Bridle Trails Party in the Park 5k – http://www.bridletrails.org/news_events/party-in-the-park-2015-event-details.html Runner: Mark P Date: 6/25/2016 Location: Bridle Trails State Park – Kirkland, WA Results: 17:08, 1st place 3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most It’s a fundraiser for the park combined by other events including a pancake breakfast afterwards. I really like their 5k course.  It’s on fairly wide ...
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bridle trails matt urbanski

Bridle Trails 5 mile Race Report- Matt U

Race: Bridle Trails 5 miler. http://www.seattlerunningclub.org/Events/Bridle/bridle.html Runner: Matt U Date: 1/9/2016 Location: Bridle Trails State Park, Kirkland WA Distance raced and other options: 5M, 10M, 50k, 50k relays 3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most? 1. Great Seattle trail running community race. Lots of locals out for this one which gives it a great sense of community. 2 ...
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Teanaway Country 100 Race Report – Keith Laverty

Race: Teanaway Country 100

Runner: Keith Laverty

Race Date: 9/11/2021

Location: Salmon La Sac Sno-Park / Teanaway Mountains in Washington State

Results: 10th OA, 30:30:08

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/5955010160

teanaway country 100 keith laverty

3 Bests – What aspects of the Teanaway Country 100 did you like the most?

1. The well-thought out and cared for event by the RD, Brian Morrison and their entire team, including volunteers.
2. The sheer difficulty of the course in terms of the elevation profile, terrain; and so much uncertainty to even completing the race.
3. Grand views and memorable landscape of the Teanaway Mountains nestled in the Cascades.

Not so much – What aspects of the Teanaway Country 100 didn’t work for you?

Two of the aid stations mid-race with very minimal choices and options for food, when I really was just craving much more!

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

I recall seeing some blow up unicorns at one or two of the aid stations. Also, there was a cougar encounter just off the trail on the second morning with two runners (and one pacer) who were well ahead of me but luckily, I didn’t see it when I went through that section or didn’t know about it until after the fact! Nobody was hurt though and they were able to scare it away by yelling and acting big.

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

Both my mental headspace and nutrition/hydration strategy all day, especially given my first 100-miler and first race over 50 miles. I had no expectations yet no limitations either. I had been training all summer for the more runnable (but still difficult) Pine to Palm 100 course but it had been unfortunately cancelled the Monday of race week. Luckily, the RD let me and a few other runners into this event.

So I didn’t put any pressure on myself to perform in an XYZ place or specific time but rather the mindset to above anything else, complete this monster of a challenge! I did so, despite a few biomechanical issues that flared up or felt tight throughout the race but bad enough that I’d think it’d cause a serious injury.

I also climbed pretty well and efficiently with the trekking poles.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the Teanaway Country 100 to help the next runner

Certainly pace yourself smart from the start as a lot can happen over the course of the day. Be prepared mentally for a big day in the mountains.

Bring a few changes of gear/clothing such as shirts, shoes and socks during the event. Trekking poles can be a huge advantage on the steep, technical terrain.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I hadn’t trained for this course but if I were to try this or other similar course again, I’d certainly incorporate several more steeper or long runs with trekking poles, as well as a higher vert per mile ratio or one that matches the course profile. I did quite a bit of strength and mobility work throughout the summer but may have backed off too much over the final 3-week taper, potentially resulting in unexpected hip flexor tightness felt in my right leg for most of the race. So making my body, tendons, muscles extra resilient and improving their fatigue resistance. I had spent the majority of the day between 4th and 6th place but then was forced to a slower walk for most of the final 18 miles, so lost a few places over the final stretches.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the Teanaway Couuntry 100?

Everything between the Sasse Ridge AS (mile 6) and the Van Epps AS (21), and then again on the return, is quite a brutal section! Even the 4ish mile jeep road section… don’t be lulled into thinking that section is fast and runnable. This includes the Paris Creek Trail and other trails that are actually no longer on many trail maps. The RD even eluded that besides this 100-mile race, it may not get any other foot traffic for the remainder of the year. Then the jeep road is exceptionally rugged with several giant puddles/divots. The final 3-mile descent back to the start/finish may have been the longest stretch ever with more relentless loose rock and seemingly endless switchbacks!

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

You know it. Big sweeping views all around during the day. Even the night time was spectacular with the stars shining bright. Lake Ann and Esmerelda Basin were beautiful! Iron Peak / Eldorado Pass, Teanaway Ridge Trail, and Gallagher Head Lake were all memorable too. At one point, you can even clearly see the Enchantments looking toward the next mountain range north of the course.

teanaway country 100 views
Photo: Sozinho Imagery

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Probably a 10 out of 10 as far as 100-mile courses go! This is considered a “graduate level” course and has even been compared to the Hardrock 100 as the “low-altitude Hardrock”. Only a 49% finisher rate this year.

This course packs in 31,000 feet of climbing, many of which are quite steep and rocky. But what makes this course even tougher is the technicality of the trails, where there’s hardly any areas to really open up your stride and requiring more mental focus on the technical rocks/dirt (lots of loose rock), abandoned trail systems, roots.

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

Excellent job here by the RD and race staff. This includes pre-race communications, packet pickups, and overall execution. Race bibs were also much smaller than most races, making it easy to pin to your running shorts.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Strong field up front, many of whom had plenty of experience in extremely long and/or burly endurance events but also a few first-time 100 mile runners too who did an amazing job. Resilient field of athletes across the board!

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 could see this race selling out quicker and quicker in the near future. Plenty of camping options available including free camping at the start/finish, as well as two campgrounds nearby. It sounded like some runners also stayed in AirBNBs in nearby Roslyn (only a 20-minute drive away).

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

Pretty standard for many aid stations such as chips, watermelon, grapes. When the sun started to set, then there seemed to be more solid food options available including hot cup of noodles, tomato soup, veggie broth, bacon, and instant mashed potatoes. I believe the gels options were all GU brand.

Weather and typical race conditions

We truly lucked out with ideal, clear conditions. Started in the high 40s and only a high of low 70s by mid day. It felt a bit warm for a few hours but definitely still easily manageable.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Not too bad actually and especially since the course is mostly an out-and-back, plus one 13-mile loop where you return back to the same aid station. Driving between the aid stations for crew/spectators sounded like it wasn’t too complicated or long.

How’s the Swag?

Impressive! Finishers will get a belt buckle with the race logo. And all entrants received a Territory Run Co. T-shirt (with race logo), a stainless steel cup, 2-3 salves from Squirrel’s Nut Butter and a pair of black running socks from Wrightsock.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give the Teanaway Country 100 miler, and do you recommend that others run it?

5 of out 5 stars for a truly memorable experience where it feels like they care about every runner that chooses to embark on this challenge, no matter if they finished or were a DNF.

Keith Laverty is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about him or to work with Coach Keith, check out his coaching page.

teanaway country 100 mile
Photo: Sozinho Imagery

Cascade Super Ultra 50 Mile Race Report – Mark Droge

In this race report, runner Mark Droge shares his experience at the Cascade Super Ultra 50 miler (and what you should know before racing it).

Race: Cascade Super Ultra 50 Mile

Runner: Mark Droge

Race Date: 9/25/2021

Location: Cle Elum/North Bend, WA

Results: 8:45:17

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/6019810097

running the cascade super ultra 50 miler

3 Bests – What aspects of the Cascade Super Ultra did you like the most?

  1. Beautiful scenery
  2. Ultra community, runners and volunteers
  3. Completely runnable trail

Not so much – What aspects of the Cascade Super Ultra didn’t do it for you?

Mileage was a bit more than 50, so when pushing the limit to finish last two miles, was discouraged when realized end wasn’t at 50 on the money.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about the Cascade Super Ultra?

At an aid station, (Easton) asked directions to the porta-potties and never found one, when had been announced one there were to be some there.

Before race, ran warm up away from the start and ran into a deer buck blocking the trail, decided confrontation wasn’t worth it so turned back.

As the day went on, was almost over run by cyclists, ton, mostly good natured, but some dangerous fast in and out of lanes.

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

Ran at about the max I could have run, ran it as a race, rather than a recreational run (which is how I usually approach races). Since I have been reading Endure, I have recently seen in the pages that we can go beyond what our bodies tell us we can go. With that new to me knowledge, when in last 21 miles and effort/Heart rate dipped to lower 150’s, sped up without having any body problems that I hadn’t already been experiencing. (GI went a bit sideways)

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the Cascade Super Ultra to help the next runner

Easily runnable course, very gradual incline for first 29 miles, then last 18 about 1’500 decline.
Make sure to have headlamp easily accessible for the Three tunnels.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Practice nutrition at a higher intensity, have had tummy problems both 50’s this year.
Practice drop bag use.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the Cascade Super Ultra?

  • Old RR grade wide double track trail
  • Probably 90% of course was in the shade, making it much more comfortable than it might have been.
  • 2 drop bags, 29 and 42.5 miles
  • 30 to 40 minutes dark running from start (headlamp needed)

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Beautiful, Fall colors are out, vibrant maples, yellows, rust and a whole lot of green.
Course runs next to Yakima river, over high bridges, through the mountains and a 2.4 mile pitch black tunnel

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Easy!

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

Pretty well oiled, but either directions to outhouse at Easton aid were bad, or they just didn’t have one. Someone I caught up with was looking and didn’t find one either…

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Second year race, starting to get stronger, with Matt Urbanski (My coach) racing and crushing the last race record by nearly 2 hours, Derek Siebert taking 3rd, also faster than previous record.

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.

Ought to be easy to get into race and get accommodations.

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

Can’t comment on this, had mostly my own, through wife crewing and drop bag.

Weather and typical race conditions

Ran same route last year – last year overcast beginning in the upper 40’s, rain from 10 in ending about 55.
This year start upper 40’s turned sunny, ended mid 70’s.

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

Personally I used a vest and needed it for two flasks, gels, headlamp (when not in use), TP (just in case, you never know) and inhaler.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Only a couple of places easily accessible. Hyak is best, just before the 2.4 mile tunnel at mile 29!

How’s the Swag?

Buckle, Tee, water bottle, buff bag.

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

5

chatting at the cascade super ultra

Trying to decide on your next race? Check out our coaches’ advice for choosing the best race for you.

Cascade Crest 100 Race Report – Anson Fatland

In this race report, runner Anson Fatland shares his experience running the Cascade Crest 100 and the cardiac needles. Read on for his tips!

Race: Cascade Crest 100

Runner: Anson Fatland

Race Date: 8/28/2021

Location: Easton, WA

Results: 82/152

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/5874602667

cardiac crest cardiac needles advice

3 Bests – What aspects of the Cascade Crest 100 did you like the most?

It’s a classic! It’s super friendly! And it’s gorgeous!

Not so much – What aspects of the Cascade Crest 100 didn’t do it for you?

Not one thing.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about the Cascade Crest 100?

Nothing weird, it’s a classic!

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

We had a re-route this year because of closed access to some private lands, so we did an OAB from Hyak to Tacoma Pass then the regular course from Hyak to Easton. I was able to run a lot of the course in training ahead of race day so felt good knowing what was coming. I managed my nutrition well and took care of any niggles as they came up instead of just riding them out.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the Cascade Crest Endurance Run to help the next runner

I don’t know that I have any pro-tips, especially from the back of the pack. Try to run the course as much as you can in your training, especially the Cascade Crest cardiac needles. You’ll be on 85+ mile legs by then. The Pacific Coast Trail is hillier than you may realize so plan for that, too. And there is no shame in walking early in the race, as well as later in the race. It really doesn’t start until you get to Hyak.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

I didn’t realize how hard it was going to be (for me) to run the last 10-ish miles. My legs didn’t want to move quickly because I was tired. I power-walked as much as I could, even the downhill parts.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the Cascade Crest 100

The Cascade Crest Cardiac Needles are the real deal. Prepare for them and run them ahead of time if you can.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yep, gorgeous from start to finish.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Yep.

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

Excellent all around, from pre-race communications to day of to after, it’s a top-notch event.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Seems like it. Lots of strong runners.

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.

Nope. Just win a spot via lottery. And the 9am start time almost makes it a leisurely morning if you’re coming up from Seattle.

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

Terrific aid stations. Lots to choose from. Fresh huckleberry pancakes at No Name Ridge in the morning!

Weather and typical race conditions

We had great weather. 70’s and clear during the day, 50’s and a gajillion stars at night.

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

Nothing special. I picked up poles at Lake Kachess for the last 30 miles.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Kind of? Stampede Pass is off-the-charts for fun and the vibe. A great place to see your runner. Hyak is great, too. Maybe Lake Kachess after that but it’s probably middle of the night by then.

How’s the Swag?

It’s a buckle!

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give the Cascade Crest 100 and do you recommend that others run it?

13/10.

Get more tips on the Cascade Crest 100 from our race intel page!

Three Corner Rock 50k Race Report

Runner Justin Huff shares his experience of the Three Corner Rock 50k race in Washington State. Read on for what he liked, what he didn’t like, and his tips for making this the best ultra run you can!

Race: Three Corner Rock 50k

Runner: Justin Huff

Race Date: 9/4/2021

Location: North Bonneville, WA

Results: https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=82584

3 Bests – What aspects of the Three Corner Rock 50k race did you like the most?

1. Well organized.
2. Relaxed runners and volunteers; good vibe.
3. Great course.

Really, this is classic, local ultra running. It’s the type of race that got me hooked.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about the Three Corner Rock 50k race?

There are very few races on the PCT. Also, point-to-point is fun!

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

Had a few stomach issues early on, but recovered decently. First 50k finish in 4 years.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Keep the first descent in check.

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

Yeah, the Three Corner Rock 50k was solid. Course marking was spectacular even though “stay on the PCT” would have been reasonable. Volunteers were fantastic and the RD was not stressing.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

It was a good mix.

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 don’t think it sold out.

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

Pretty standard.

Weather and typical race conditions

Dryish and mid-80s. Luckily, there was lots of tree cover.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Not really.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give the Three Corner Rock 50k race and do you recommend that others run it?

5. I’ll run it again.

Looking for the right next race for you? Here are our coach’s tips for choosing the best races!

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.

Suncadia Half Marathon Race Report

In this race report, runner Renee Gale breaks down what you need to know about the Suncadia Half Marathon before showing up to the start line.

Race: Suncadia Half Marathon

Runner: Renee Gale

Race Date: 8/07/2021

Location: Suncadia Resort near Cle Elum, Washington

Results: 89 of 139 overall, 47 of 86 gender

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/5754768737

renee on the suncadia half marathon trail
Photo: Somer Kreisman

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

  1. Weather was perfect in the 60’s and partly cloudy (the weekend before, it was close to 100).
  2. Elevation was very modest with gain/loss of 800 ft.
  3. The portion of the trail that ran parallel to the river was beautiful.

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

There were only 2 port-a-potties; found out later that there were more hiding somewhere but I didn’t see them. Pre-race, I was very confused about the course – I always like to look at elevation and figure out how I’m going to run the race using the elevation profile. Since this was a new route/new race for Evergreen, there wasn’t too much information available.

One other thing I wasn’t happy about was the final distance; both the course map on the race website and my watch when I finished the race showed less than 13.1 miles.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about the Suncadia Half Marathon?

It’s not weird, but the race was located inside a big resort with lots of homes. Although a lot of the race was on trails where you couldn’t see civilization, I would prefer being farther removed from that kind of surrounding.

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

I studied the map and the changes in elevation more than most of my races. I was very aware of upcoming terrain, which helped me keep a steadier pace overall by knowing when to run and when to hike to conserve energy.

In past trail races, I mostly wasn’t aware of what mile I was at or what the distances were of each ascent, so I would get a lot of surprises. This race, I managed to keep track of elapsed distance and course changes. I set a goal to run steadily enough to not have to stop and catch my breath. In past races, I would put in too much of an effort and then have to stop to breathe rather than keep moving. Success! I didn’t stop once to catch my breath. My only stop was at an aid station to grab an orange.

I put alerts on my phone to remind me to drink and to take a gel, which was another lesson learned from my last half-marathon.

A few times, I managed to pass someone I had been following for a while and that gave me a confidence boost.

Last thing I’m happy about is I set sub-goals for my finish-time. Going into other races, I had a vague expectation of where I might finish in time and at the end of the race would be disappointed. This race I established 3 goal options. I really, really wanted to finish in 2:30:00. My C goal was to finish at or just under the same time as my last half, which was 2:44:25. My B goal was to finish in between those two times. I finished the race in 2:25:33, beating my A goal!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the Suncadia Half Marathon race

This course starts and ends on paved paths, about 1/4 mile each. A big percentage of the race has single track, some with packed dirt and smoothed rocks, some with a more sandy consistency. Then there are a few places where you run on gravel roads, some with ruts. There was this one small rivulet of water that had a log/plank placed over it. When I stepped on it, it gave a little like it was going to break in half. The half marathon did almost a double loop of the 5k course – this was one thing I was confused about prior to the race. The description sounded like we only did the loop once, but the interactive course map showed looping around almost twice.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

I wouldn’t call it beautiful except for one portion that runs along the Cle Elum River. It’s pleasant enough though to enjoy the journey, a combination of being in shade and being exposed to sunlight.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

No, this isn’t tough but it was perfect for me as I build my endurance and mountain legs.

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

To get to the race start, one drives through the resort for a couple of miles. There were signs showing which way to go until we got to the actual race site. At that point, it was difficult to tell where to park. There wasn’t a final sign pointing to the big grassy area where we were supposed to park. What’s confusing is before you get to that area, there is a big parking lot next to a swimming pool and it looks like it’s the end of the road. I got there at about 7:15 am and the race was supposed to start at 8:30 am. When I arrived, the race was just starting to be set up; they seemed a little behind but did manage to start only a couple minutes late. I would say the organizers were somewhere between well-oiled and winging it.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

I would say no. There were a lot of families attracted to the race as there was also a kid’s run included so it was more low-key.

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.

There was an offer when I registered for the race to get a discount to stay at the Suncadia Lodge inside the resort. But I wasn’t sure where I was going to stay at the time so I held off getting accommodations. Later when I decided it would be nice to treat myself to staying at the Lodge, I couldn’t get the discount so I went ahead and got a motel room in Cle Elum which is only about 15-20 minutes away.

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

Pretty standard fare. I liked that they had oranges cut up – I usually see bananas, not oranges.

Weather and typical race conditions

The typical high for the area in August is 81. About 10 days prior to race day, I saw a forecast for 86 and started getting worried that it would be warmer than I was used to. On race day, I was happy to arrive at the start line with the temperature at 62, partly cloudy. I think the high that day was in the 70’s. Heat wasn’t an issue for me at all but it definitely could be.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

I would say this is a friendly course. One could bring their bicycle and entertain themselves while their friend runs. There are lots of paved paths in the resort that were not part of the race. There was also one intersection of the course that was close to the start line and at about the 3-mile mark of the race where one could stand and spectate.

How’s the Swag?

At the end of the race, I received a wooden coaster with the course etched into it, so not the greatest.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give the Suncadia Half Marathon race and do you recommend that others run it?

I would recommend this course for beginner trail runners as it’s not technical and the elevation changes are mild. From that perspective, I would give this race 4/5. I’m definitely not advanced but I have a feeling this course would not appeal to those runners.

suncadia half marathon views

Getting ready for a race? Check out our coach’s tips for selecting the right race for you!

Jack & Jill Downhill Marathon Race Report

Race: Jack & Jill Downhill Marathon

Runner: Derek Siebert

Race Date: 7/25/2021

Location: Snoqualmie Pass/Hyak to North Bend, WA

Results: 2:59:53

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/5685943516

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

1. The course is beautiful and fast.

2. The race was well stocked at aid stations and finish and plenty of bathrooms at start.

3. Communication for logistics with race organizers was good and was also well executed on race day.

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

The tunnel does crazy things to GPS so it was disappointing to not have mile markers in the tunnel. I was using a pace band and the mile markers especially later in the race seemed off as I’d be +10 seconds 1 mile and -20 seconds the next mile while running with others. Not a big deal if you aren’t having a bad GPS day, but was challenging day without a reliable way to know how fast you’re going. They charge $25 for race day pick-up. I ran The Super Marathon in June and it was free and easy race day pick-up. Saved me an hour and a half on a Friday.

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

Setting my alarm for 3AM for a 4:30 bus for 6:30 start for a race that’s 45 minutes from my house! You have to take a shuttle bus from North Bend to start AND from finish back to parking area (about 2 miles).

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

I finished sub 3 which was the goal! I ran a pretty smart race despite GPS challenges. Thankful for pace band. Very thankful for the guy who finished just ahead of me to push me along in 25+ when I thought sub 3 was out the window.

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

Be ready to switch back and forth on the trail based on where the best footing is out there. If it’s warm, half the trail is often in the shade. If the footing makes sense, stay in the shade. The last 5 miles are steeper downhill, but they seem flat!

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Just don’t give up. Keep mentally strong.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

If it’s foggy in the tunnel from your breath, use your headlamp as a hand held. It’s hard to pass in the tunnel so this isn’t a race you want to start in the back. Make sure you start with people of your ability or your first 3 miles could be off pace or you can turn an ankle trying to zig zag in the tunnel.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Very pretty. But consistently pretty. If you’re from the PNW, it’s not spectacular, but very pleasant.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

It’s a fast downhill course. I think recent trail running with good, hard downhill training will keep you from blowing up. I lost all but 1 of the pace group we were in late.

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

As mentioned above, good communication and execution.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

I’d say average. 2:59:53 was good for 23rd out of 436.

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 registered less than a month out. The Saturday race and both half marathons were sold out, so register early to pick your day/race distance. For the shuttle bus, you have to pick a time at registration. Because I registered late, only the very early buses were available, leaving me at the start line for 90 minutes. There are no vendors or services at the start line, so all you can do is stay loose and talk to other runners.

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

Aid stations every 2 miles. Some had 2 volunteers, some had 1. Be prepared to get your own drink from the table. About half of them were actively handing out water/Gatorade. No gels.

Weather and typical race conditions

Good PNW weather. 50’s at start and low 60’s at finish on a day with 81 as the high.

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

Bring a headlamp. This race allows you to put your headlamp and put into bag for collection at end of race where others make you carry it or ditch it. I took a $10 headlamp to ditch and was fine. If you want tons of light, then make sure you write on ziplock bag before race and carry in an accessible spot for collection at exit of tunnel.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Poor for spectators during the race as it’s a point to point. Not a crowded race, so good for spectators to meet you at the finish line.

How’s the Swag?

Standard medal and swag bag. Tech tank top that’s decent quality. For $150 after fees, anything less would be cheap.

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

4/5. The greatest draw to the race is the course. Flat for 3 miles and then gradual downhill. Lot’s of BQs were obtained. But the race organizers add nothing to give the race personality/make it memorable.

Needles 50k Race Report – Anson Fatland

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!

Kill Bill’s Oyster Dome Challenge 25k Race Report

Race: Kill Bill’s Oyster Dome Challenge 25k

Runner: Justin Huff

Race Date: 7/17/2021

Location: Alger, WA

Results: https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=85077 – but I got 2nd OA

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/5642938253

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

Small, well supported race on awesome trails

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

Nothing!

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

Oysters at the first aid station!

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

I think I did a decent job pacing, but kicking it into gear at the end.

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

It’s a hilly course all the way to the end — pace yourself!

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yup! Great views of the water and islands

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Yeah, hard, but not crazy.

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

Very. Well run and not frantic. Course was well marked.

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

Standard except for the oysters 🙂

The Super Marathon Race Report

Race: The Super Marathon

Runner: Jorge Pereira

Race Date: 6/27/2021

Location: Snoqualmie Pass, WA

Results: https://runsignup.com/superfastmarathon/results#resultSetId-260300;perpage:5000

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/5539438314/overview

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

Gentle downhill, organization very well prepared for the heat, amazing volunteers, nice views.

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

The heat!!! The downhill can be hard on the quads too.

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

There’s a 2.8 mile tunnel that’s not “weird” but kinda cool.

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

I managed the heat well, which is what I was most worried about. This was also in big time due to the great job of the organizers and volunteers having aid stations every 2 miles.

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

Definitely go for a training run on this course before. The downhill is nice but can be tough on the quads, it was for me. If it’s as hot as it was this year, I’d recommend the obvious: slow down, drink plenty, etc. I thought quite hard before the race about what equipment to bring with me: a belt, handheld bottle, or a hydration pack. Belt doesn’t carry as much water as the pack, and hand held doesn’t hold as much water and it’s a bit of a pita to carry. I personally like pack better because that’s what I am used to, so ended up with that, despite the extra weight. I am glad I did as some of the miles, especially in the last 10k, got pretty rough for me with the heat. I drank all 32 ounces I carried, plus a cup or two at every station.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Running so long in the heat was a bit of an unknown to me, so now I know a bit what to expect for next time.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

I don’t think so, but it can be tough on the quads due to downhill, and it was very tough this time due to heat.

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

Super well organized.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

I was just happy to finish, did not even look at my time until I got back in the car.

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

Water and electrolytes in all stations. At least one station had ice and gels.

Weather and typical race conditions

Hot!!

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

In my case, I wore my trail vest (ultimate direction 4.0). I was looking for something smaller and lighter but they were all sold out. I should have looked with more advance! It worked well for me, and I liked the extra insurance due to the unknown.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

No. There’s an 18.5 mile point but otherwise it’s mostly through a trail in the mountains with limited access.

How’s the Swag?

Good.

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

5/5

Evergreen Half Marathon Race Report

Race: Evergreen Half Marathon

Runner: Noah Jaffe

Race Date: 6/19/2021

Location: Snohomish, WA

Results: 1:23:59

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/5496630037/embed/fd66226fb5f0e383dfdb1285a187c153731b83f4

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

Fast and forgiving course. Small enough to not feel overly crowded. Organizers really nice.

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

Start was chaotic, as later arriving runners were held shy of the start line, and couldn’t go to the start until earlier runners had cleared the first 300 yards. Communication wasn’t very clear on that.

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

It was weird (but cool!) having a couple of the fastest runners (including the winner!) go off much later than the elite/first wave, and run their own race from the back. Chip timing allowed that, obviously, but was unexpected for me at least.

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

The gentle downhill was really favorable, made it easy to get going faster and hold pace. I was able to keep pretty even splits, despite being a relative novice.

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

Show up earlier! (The bussing mechanics were more challenging than usual, I’d imagine, because of COVID concerns… hoping that’s less of an issue in future years).

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Show up earlier!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Straight line, gentle downhill. Not much to know… easy to have fun and go fast.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Lovely course– mostly rustic, a lot of tree coverage, and a lot of course running alongside a picturesque river.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

No, really fast/friendly.

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

Mostly well organized and well run, except for the chaos at the start times. I could have probably avoided that by being there earlier. Pre-race, post-race, and aid stations were terrific.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Seemed like a significantly stronger field than in years past. A few runners went under 1:10, including a 1:06 winner, who travelled in from Puerto Rico with his family. Seems like he must be one of the fastest Puerto Ricans overall, wonder if he’s on his way to some records.

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.

Snohomish very accessible from Seattle and Bellingham, and small enough race that logistics were a breeze. Easy to find street parking right near the finish.

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

Standard, and well spaced IMO.

Weather and typical race conditions

Sunny, 55-60, perfect conditions. Probably pretty standard for this time of year. Lucky it wasn’t a hotter day.

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

Nothing special

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yeah, Snohomish great place to get a coffee/pastry, and plenty of junctions to watch from, as well as a very good fun park for the finish line.

How’s the Swag?

Average.

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

4/5. Great course to run, easy to get to and logistically smooth. Would recommend to anyone looking for a fast time / PR, and a nice scenic stress-free race.

tunnel marathon race

Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon Race Report

Race: Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon

Runner: Shannon Payne

Race Date: 6/13/2021

Location: Snoqualmie Pass, WA

Results: 4/26 F 50-54, 222/542 overall

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/5465021309

Photo: Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon

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

1. The slightly downhill course is the perfect grade for feeling fast!
2. The drop bag coordination was relatively efficient and allowed you to use a headlamp through the tunnel, drop it on the other side, and get it back at the finish.
3. I also loved how many runners came from outside greater Seattle!

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

1. Packet pick-up in North Bend was not convenient for this Seattle gal. I tried to get a local hotel, but day-before wouldn’t cut it. With all the out-of-town runners, I’d guess the Issaquah area lodging was booked up a while back.
2. Also, while I appreciated how frequent and well-prepared the aid stations were, plastic cups that get littered in beautiful wilderness are SO 2000s. I’m sure the volunteers were diligent about cleaning up the waste, but it seems just that – wasteful. I would gladly give up the neon t-shirt and the finisher’s medal for every registrant to get a collapsible cup to use at aid stations.

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

The Tunnel is the big one for this race. It starts less than a mile into the race and lasts for almost 2-1/2 miles. Others have mentioned not to pay attention to your gps device in the tunnel as it might go a little haywire – just find your pace and hold. I also noticed that the darkness of the tunnel affected some people’s proprioception more than others. Give everyone just a little space and you might avoid a pile up. You don’t have to carry a headlamp in the tunnel, but if you don’t, you absolutely must run next to someone with a headlamp which might cramp your individual pacing.

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

I was happy with my internal pace calibration. I started with a pace maker and found that I was best to follow my own perceived effort as I caught and let the group go multiple times on a fairly steady trajectory.

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

Be sure to get to the start line with plenty of time – I waited ~30 minutes in line for the bathroom and consequently got about a 3 minute warm-up that consisted of running to the start line. I did spring for the finish line parking and was super grateful to be able to walk straight to my car when it was over. In hindsight, I would also have gotten a hotel nearby (even though I live in Seattle) if I had thought about it earlier. Driving back & forth to North Bend two days in a row was a waste of gas and time.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Miles 18 to 22 always hurt, just keep going!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

This is a downhill, former RR grade course. It is fast. The aid stations were plentiful and depending on your fluid needs you might not need to carry a handheld. I used one and was glad to have it for that little extra, but depends on personal preference. Also, I kind of laughed at all the folks with gaiters on at the start for a hard-packed course, but my laugh faded after I got to live with several pebbles in my shoes over the last 10k. If I ever run this again, I’ll definitely use them.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

For a roadie marathon, it is spectacularly beautiful.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

As far as marathons go, no, but the distance is always a grind.

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

It was well-run, but it wasn’t easy to find or understand all of the logistics. The volunteers at packet pick-up were generous in answering all my questions, but it would have been nice if things were better detailed online or in the information emails.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

It seemed like there was this year. Over half the 650 registrants traveled from outside greater Seattle, some from as far away as NH and HI. The overall winning time was 2:29, which strikes me as speedy even on a downhill 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.

The race does sell out, but there are three opportunities (spring, summer, and fall) to run the course with the same organization. Hotels near the start line are fully booked by the week of the race (at least they were this year).

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

Standard fare, water and Nuun for fluids. I think there were supposed to be gels at some of the aids, but I didn’t check since I carried my own food.

Weather and typical race conditions

It depends on which date you sign up for. The mountains are always iffy in June and we got a steady stream of rain, but the temps were a perfect marathon 51 degrees. I would imagine the heat is more of an issue at the August event.

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

Headlamp and, as mentioned, gaiters, but otherwise treat this like a road marathon.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Not really. The best opportunity to cheer you on would be to wait at the Rattlesnake Ledge trailhead and then hop in the car to the finish. Parking is at a premium.

How’s the Swag?

Finisher’s medal and a technical t-shirt. It was nice to see the finish line “buffet” back in a COVID-friendly version.

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

I’d give it 4 stars out of 5. Some of the logistics were wonky, but the course was beautiful and you can’t argue with fast. Plus it was fun to run with folks from around the country in my own backyard.

Photo: Shannon R. Payne