Back on the Trail

How sweet was it being back on the trails yesterday? For months we've been out there with a specific mission, like scouting the course or training for a race. Not that those runs don't have their own interest. But this time we were there just to be among the towering cedars, to breathe the cold fresh air. We hit Melakwa Lake first thing in the morning, pointed ourselves towards the Tuscohatchies, then climbed up and past Pratt Lake on an invigorating 14-mile point-to-point that's due east of the Cascade Crest course. With us were prior finishers Jenny Uehisa ('07), and Marlis DeJongh ('05), who helped out at this year's Snowshoe Butte aid station. Nothing like being in the mountains just to be in the mountains. Check out Cheri Gillis' Fifty Trail Runs in Washington for details on this run, plus a few good ones that get onto the Cascade Crest course.

Christmas in August

This year's Hyak aid station drew rave reviews. Hyak was organized by runner Rob Hester and Paul Morrison from Bonney Lake Fleet Feet, and staffed by members of the Puyallup Y Run Club, including George Koski, Monica & Mike Bloom, Linda & Rich Walter, Lesa & Dave Overfield, Abi Brownell, Tom Gibson, Jenny Appel, and Melissa Martin. As runner Joseph Tompkins wrote, "I sure didn't expect Christmas in August! The atmosphere was uplifting. That, with a fresh wardrobe, a double-shot of espresso and some solid fuel, I was on my way for the second half." Another commented that Hyak was just like aid stations at Western States. Terrific job by these South Sound runners! Photos by Jenny Appel.

'70s Revival Night

The photos and reports continue to come in. We especially enjoyed pics from the '70s Revival Party, a.k.a. Mineral Creek aid station. Above is Terry Sentinella, who pulled an all-nighter to staff Mineral and sweep the last 20 miles of the course, presumably in more suitable attire, along with Scotty Railton. And what's not to love about Rich White and Linda Barton, who served up potato soup in the fancy duds modeled below. Photos by Linda Barton.

Back in Easton

This morning we headed back to Easton, where it's been raining ever since the last runner crossed the finish line on Sunday. We really lucked out with good weather for race weekend! Well, the firefighters had cleaned up the station, washed all of the pots and pans, broken down the boxes and donated our leftover food to the food bank in town. So all that was left for us was to pack up the last of our gear and give a big hug to Jenny, firefighter and medic extraordinaire who takes great care of our finishers. We also presented a donation on behalf of the race to Easton fire chief Craig McKee, as has been done every year. We're just so happy to have the connection we do with these fabulous folks; it would be impossible to pull off the race without them.

Split Times

This year's split times are now posted. The splits were a collaborative effort on the part of many aid station volunteers plus Cheri Gillis, Lucy Iglesias, Baldwin Lee, Jenny Uehisa, and Jenny Smith, who did triple duty as Phil Shaw's Mom and crew. Thank you for all of your help in getting these done! Photo by Jenny Uehisa.

Race Reports

The first race reports are up. There's one from first-time 100-miler Ben, who sprinted across the finish line in Easton. There's another from Rob, a second-time Cascade Crest finisher who recruited fellow Puyallup Y Run Club members for our fabulous Hyak aid station, and from Eric, Rob's pacer. On his blog, Arthur debriefs about another impressive PR that was -- no kidding -- seven hours off his original time. Pacer Olga describes her day and night on the trails with runner Gail Snyder at Run More. And check out pics from Lucy, who crews runner Giles Barbeau, plus a thought poem from celebrity sweeper Lisa and her dog Steely.

Glenn Tachiyama's Race Photos

Photographer Glenn Tachiyama has done it yet again. Check out his fabulous runner pics from Goat Peak, Tacoma Pass, Stampede Pass, Ollalie Meadows, and Thorpe Mountain, the last of which are particularly stunning. Glenn's photos are one big reason Cascade Crest has gotten so popular. Let me just say that I knew this guy when he had a point and shoot. Photo of Glenn by Olga Varlamova.

Kevin MacDonald's Race Photos

Bellingham performance photographer Kevin MacDonald has posted his runner pics from Blowout Mountain, Stampede Pass, and Silver Creek; there's a link if you'd like to purchase.

PCT Through-Hikers

Check out this Cascade Crest race report from a couple of through- hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail. It's a tribute to our amazing volunteers and to the whole spirit of the event. Photo by Tom Riley.

Finisher Awards

This year's finishers received a buckle as well as a numbered block print carved and rolled by our good friend Leah Jurek. All the more reason to get to that finish line! The print is the second in a series Leah's producing for the race. Leah is an artist, ultrarunner, and massage therapist from Seattle, and we're thrilled to feature her beautiful work.

Official Results

Official results have been posted! Splits should be up later this week.

Runners Are In

The 10th Cascade Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run is history! Seventy-seven runners went the distance. Overall winner Tom Ederer of Seattle, Wash., woke up the town of Easton early on Sunday morning when he crossed the finish line in a time of 20 hours, 49 minutes, 40 seconds. Suzanna Bon of Sonoma, Cal., was first female in at 23 hours, 6 minutes, 13 seconds. Congratulations to everyone who started yesterday morning. More soon. Photo of Suzanna by Paul Brunner.