2009 Splits

Apologies for the delay stats lovers but I've finally got the splits entered. If you see any obvious errors send me a note (charliecrissman at gmail). Splits are in an excel file. They are entered by aid station arrival using time of day and the excel entries are text strings.

2009 Race Reports

Check out race reports from runners, pacers, and others involved in this year's Cascade Crest 100. Among our favorites are runner reports from Jen, Christian, Scotty, Franz, Dan, Miles, Scott, Van, and a newspaper writeup about Matt. Also of interest: narration from pacers Cheri and Heidi, runner crew Jessica, sweepers Becky and dogs, and volunteer Jon. And check out a fun race summary from local endurance athlete and coach Matt Hart.

Late additions: More runner reports, from Linda and Rod, and a pacer report from Bruce.

Randy Returns

Among the many great stories from this year's race was that Cascade Crest 100 founder Randy Gehrke returned as an entrant for the first time. Randy, a retired King County Sheriff's deputy, used to mark the entire course in one push, unsupported, under the 32 hr time limit (check the old results) and accompanied only by his dogs and a couple of friends. This year almost a dozen runners shared that same course-marking job.

To Randy's right in the photo above are Tim Stroh who helped with course marking and Ron Behrmann, who co-directed the run and handled logistics in the race's early days. Tim finished an impressive 7th overall in this year's race, in 21 hours and 44 minutes.

Glenn Tachiyama's Race Photos

Seattle-based photographer Glenn Tachiyama has posted his photographs of this year's race as seen from Goat Peak, Stampede Pass, and Thorpe Mountain. As usual, Glenn delivers amazing images of the course and the runners. Check them out!

Quick recap

Results for this year's race are up. The highlights: Phil Shaw notched his second win and set a new course record of 19 hours and 47 minutes. Samantha Sigle from Boulder, CO, led her first 100-miler wire to wire to win the women's race.

Jamie Gifford became the first ten-time finisher and received a 1000-mile jacket and a one-of-a-kind buckle that would make Liberace jealous. Jerry Bloom smiled his way to a silver buckle for his fifth finish.

We had a record 75% finisher rate despite a replacement trail section from miles 47 to 53 that proved to be more challenging than intended. Cool and overcast weather on Saturday led to fast times in a very competitive field, with a record 20 runners breaking the 24-hour barrier. In total, 96 of the 128 starters finished the race. Temps on Sunday were significantly warmer and runners were treated to excellent views of Mount Rainier and the central Cascades on the back section of the course.

Thanks to an absolutely stellar cast of 200-plus volunteers. It is humbling to have such a fantastic crew. Please visit this blog and our website for more post-race news and photos in the days and weeks ahead.

Re-route of section from Olallie to Hyak

For those who must know where they are headed... The map above shows the old and the new routes from Olallie to Hyak. If you buy the new Green Trails map of Snoqualmie Pass (available at Seattle Running Co. or at REI) you'll be able to reference this picture and see the contour lines more clearly. The course change was necessitated by the closure of the Snoqualmie Pass tunnel which we've used for the past 10 years. The new route has approx. 650' of bonus climb (and descent). To satisfy James Varner there is a section with some less then ideal footing. The new route takes you over the top of Snoqualmie Pass and offers spectacular views of Guye Peak and the Gold Creek Valley although most of you will have to take my word for since you'll be on the top of the Pass in the dark.

I hope you enjoy the new terrain. I enjoyed piecing it together. Thanks to James and William Worrell for pre-running the first version of this route to help me realize it needed to be harder.

Complaints about additional difficulty and ruined PRs should be addressed to James Varner and mailed to the Easton Fire Department.

Runner's Manual posted

The 2009 Runner's Manual is available here.

2009 Entrants List

The list is posted here. Contact Charlie at charliecrissman@gmail with questions or spelling, age or gender corrections. Thanks everyone for being patient.

Registration Update #2

If you mailed your entry on Feb 9 you can count on running this year. We will be able to admit some runners with later postmarks but we are going to wait for another mail delivery on Tuesday before posting an entrants list. Thanks for your patience.

Registration Update

We've removed the entry form from the race website and are waiting for the remaining entries to arrive from further-flung locales before determining the entrants list. If needed, we'll draw names according to postmark date. Thanks for your patience! Our hope is to have an entrants list posted this weekend.

Cascade Crest Registration is Open

We're taking all qualified entries that are postmarked starting today until the field is closed at 150 runners. Expect not to hear about the entrants list until the week is out, as we want to make sure all entries are accounted for first. Hope to see you at the starting line!

Postmark Your Entry on Feb. 9 or After

OK. Just a friendly reminder to NOT send in your entry form until February 9, 2009. Any that we receive prior to February 9 are being recycled and checks will be shredded.

If you messed up, just re-send your entry like the directions tell you to do, by US mail and postmarked no earlier than February 9, 2009.

We are accepting entries on a first come, first serve basis starting with the February 9 postmark. Thanks for your help in making this process as fair as possible.

Some details on the trail work requirement

Answers to a few questions about the trail work requirement for Cascade Crest:

-Where can I complete my trail work?
Wherever it is convenient based on your schedule and location.

-Can I do it on my own?
We expect you to do trail work through an organization like the Forest Service, Washington Trails Association or a similar state or local government or non-profit organization in your area. If you want clarification from us just ask.

-Does the trail I work on have to be part of a race?
No.

-Can I volunteer at a race instead?
No. While we strongly encourage runners to volunteer at races, we expect all entrants to complete 8 hours of trail work.

-Why the focus on trail work?
Trail work makes a difference for non-running trail users. By improving trails in your area you make a contribution towards all sorts of trail recreation.

-How do I report my trail work?
You'll do that via the website. We'll have you tell us the location, the date and the name and email of a contact at the organization you helped out.

-Will there be organized work parties around Seattle and Easton?
There are plenty of great opportunities around Seattle to help maintain and restore trails. We encourage you to consider events organized by EarthCorps and WA Trails Association. Work party details are updated frequently on their websites.

Other questions? Leave a comment and we'll get them answered.

2009 Entry Information

OK, a few basics for runners thinking about running the 2009 Cascade Crest 100, which takes place August 29-30, 2009.

Entry forms will be available on the race website as of January 20, 2009. Entries will be accepted by regular mail starting on Monday, February 9, 2009, until the field is closed at 150 runners. No online entry this year, and no waiting list. We won't open entries postmarked before February 9th or those sent by Fedex / express mail. Take note that we've added a trail work requirement this year, same routine as many other races.

Our 2008 race volunteers have already been offered early entry.

If come February you find you're undecided, consider volunteering in '09 for preferential entry in 2010. Or do it just because it's a fun way to spend the weekend. We'd love to have your help!

Feel free to send questions to charliecrissman 'at' gmail.com

Cascade Crest in '09

Believe it or not, we've already had a few inquiries about next year's Cascade Crest 100. If you're itching to update the calendar, mark the weekend of August 29 & 30, 2009 for the next edition of this ultra. Entry information will be posted here around the turn of the year. We expect the field to fill pretty quickly, and as promised, this year's volunteers get first dibs at running in '09.