Getting Ready

Veteran Cascade Crest runner and volunteer Mark Greenberg loads his big truck with aid station supplies.

2011 Trail Work for Entrants

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 send us an email and we'll get them answered.

Photos and Race Reports

We will use this post to add links to photos and race reports as you send them our way. You can leave links in the comments and we will add them to the body of the post.

Photos by Glenn Tachiyama from Tacoma Pass and Thorp Mtn. Glenn has become one of the most accomplished chroniclers of trail running in the country. We are lucky to have him at Cascade Crest each year. Rainier was hidden from view on Sunday morning from the climb to Thorp Mtn but Glenn got some fantastic shots of the foggy sunrise.

Photos from John Morelock who volunteered at Cole Butte (10m) and at French Cabin (88m). If you have not been on the course before John's photos and captions will give you a good sense for the terrain in the early miles.

Race report from Michael Chastain who finished in 25:00:37. Mike ran with his Garmin the whole way and has a great map of the course as a result.

Race report from BJ Haeck may make you want to wear a helmet next year for the trip over Kecheelus Ridge.

Race report from winner and new course record-holder Jeff Browning. Attack owls and playground accidents could not deter Jeff scorching the Central Cascades.




Photos by Andrew Peet from the Lake Kachess aid station. Yes Phil, that is a flowing chocolate fountain.

Peaceful Coexistence

Thanks to all runners and volunteers for keeping the trails wild and scenic. Our sweeps said they saw little to no trash along the course and Google alerts sent this blog post from a PCT thru-hiker:

On Saturday morning a group of 5 people out trail running informed us that we were going to be in the middle of a 100 mile trail race, the Cascade Crest. We would have 200 runners passing us by. This also meant… aide stations! These runners were running a station at Tacoma Pass. They offered us food. We got there just after lunch and snacked on some turkey sandwiches and watermelon. Only 5 runners had passed us at that point and they were running fast! We got cheered on by the people at the station waiting for family members or friends running. Crow Dog was embarassed, I was taking it in. Why not get cheered on for walking 2350 miles? The next aide station was 7 miles on, we hiked to that, while cheering on more runners and eating huckleberries while they passed. The next station was put on by a local high school cross country team. They were great and more food. We heard that the big aide station was a mere 4 miles on, so we hiked to that. Tomato soup! Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! Candy! String cheese! What an inspirational day! The runners provided so much positive energy for our hike, it made it one of the best days of hiking yet.

All Done for 2010

The 2010 Cascade Crest 100-mile Endurance Run is history. Congrats to all of our runners who made the trip out to Easton -- and back -- and many thanks to our amazing volunteers for hosting another memorable race.

Overall winner Jeff Browning of Bend, Ore., ran without crew or pacers and never backed off his blistering pace, becoming the first runner to finish this race in the pitch dark. His time of 18 hours, 31 minutes, and 9 seconds takes a healthy chunk off Phil Shaw's previous course record. First female finisher Betsy Nye of Truckee, Cal., notched another win for her stellar ultrarunning resume, crossing the line in 22:32:40, the second fastest women's time ever.

Final results for all 78 finishers are up. Splits should be available later this week. Stay tuned for more pictures and links in the days to come. Thanks again to everybody who turned out to participate in this year's event!

Pacer Central

Please use the comments section of this blog post to communicate interest in pacing or being paced to other runners. Leave your request to pace or to find a pacer and leave your email or phone number so you can be contacted. If anyone wants to set up a more efficient online tool to share pacing requests go ahead and we'll link to it from the blog and website.

White River 50

Yesterday's White River 50 miler down near Mt. Rainier was a fun preview for Cascade Crest. A number of this year's CCC entrants were out fine-tuning things on the White River trails, and we're looking forward to seeing how all that hard work will pay off.

It was great to catch up with many of the folks who've been involved with Cascade Crest in previous years as runners and volunteers, including Scott Railton, Dan Probst, Wendy Wheeler-Jacobs, Jeff Wright, Janet Rosenfeld, and Kent Holder. There isn't a bright line between who's a runner and who's a volunteer at Cascade Crest lately. So many folks have done both, and we're proud of that.

Below is Pat Ackley, an '07 finisher who volunteered in '08 and '09, assisting Jenny Uehisa, an '07 finisher and '08 volunteer, at Buck Creek aid station. Photo of start above thanks to Glenn Tachiyama.

Runner Update - July 6

Runners --

A few updates as the race approaches...

Entrants List (Refunds)
I updated the entrants list earlier today. If you've contacted me to withdraw from the run I will be processing refund checks later this week. Please note that the deadline to receive a partial refund has passed.

Trail Work
Please remember that all entrants are expected to complete 8 hrs of trail work as a condition of entry. We are quite flexible about where you do your trail work but it must be via an organized work party. Any sort of restoration work is acceptable; it does not have to specifically be work on a trail. If you have questions contact Charlie. You can submit your trail work details here.

Course Conditions
If you are out on the course and find anything interesting (i.e unexpected) let me know. There is still a decent amount of snow up high but since Seattle just went from March to July overnight the snow will be melting quickly in the days to come.

Tunnel (Still Closed)
Unfortunately there is no sign that the Snoqualmie Pass tunnel is going to reopen anytime soon. If anyone has information on the status of the tunnel and the Iron Horse Trail please let me know. We plan to route you up and over Snoqualmie Pass on a similar but slightly more humane route than the one we used last year.

Training Runs
The best way to share information on training runs is via the Cascade Crest Google group.

That is all for now. Send me your questions and I'll answer via the blog if topics apply to all runners.

Cheers,

Charlie

Lost Lake 50k

My wife graciously covered the home front today so I could slip up to Bellingham for the Lost Lake 50k. For those of you who have not run it (and that's most of you since there were around 35-40 runners this morning) you missed something really special. I feel like I discovered an unknown bar band that will be selling out Madison Square Garden in a couple of years.

The clear blue sky and high 60s temps made any outdoor activity more appealing but great weather aside, Lost Lake delivered everything that makes Northwest ultrarunning rewarding. Race Director Alvin Crain gave us miles of gorgeous single track, impeccable course marking, friendly competent volunteers and a semi-sadistic scenic detour for a close up view of the Lost Lake waterfall. The course and the logistics were stellar.

Lost Lake is challenging (34 miles and > 8k of climb), very pretty, and very well organized. Put it on your calendar for next year. You won't regret it.

Preliminary Entrants List is Up

The preliminary entrants list for the 2010 race has been posted.

2010 Race is Full

Entry to this year's race is now closed. If you mailed your check but haven't entered your details at Ultra Signup, please do so. We'll post an entrants list ASAP.

A Rave from Down Under

Runner's World Australia / New Zealand chose Cascade Crest 100 as this month's Rave Run, thanks to Kiwi runner Lisa Nicholl, who submitted this spectacular photograph by Glenn Tachiyama. Pictured here are Lisa, who placed 5th woman in 2009, and her homegrown pacer, Kathleen Egan, cruising down Thorpe Mountain.

Entry Details

This post contains details on how to submit an entry to the 2010 edition of Cascade Crest. Entering the run is a two step process!

Step One:
- Print and mail this simple entry form along with your check. (Mailing address is on the simple entry form.)

Step Two:
- Visit UltraSignUp and provide your entry details (contact info, shirt size etc.)

Entries will be accepted in the order they are sent based on postmark. You must mail in a check in order to be considered for entry. We are using Ultra Signup to ensure that your contact details are accurate and to avoid the need to manually enter details from paper entry forms.

We are requiring payment by check to avoid having to increase the cost of the race to cover credit processing fees. We are big fans of online entry to races but the cost imposed by Visa and MasterCard is material and either needs to be absorbed by the race or passed along via increased fees. We'd rather require a bit more work from you (tracking down a stamp, an envelope and your checkbook) and from us (processing the mail) and avoid the extra cost.

If you were a volunteer in 2009, you can mail your entry form and payment beginning on February 1. Otherwise, you can mail your entry form and payment no earlier than February 12.

Please let me know if you have questions or need clarification on the process and I will update these instructions accordingly. Thanks!

Want to Run the Cascade Crest 100 in 2010?

Here are some things you'll need to know. The race takes place August 28 & 29, and the entry process is the same as we've used in the past. The application will become available on the Cascade Crest 100 website on February 1. We'll accept runner entries by regular U.S. mail starting with a Friday, February 13 postmark. Please don't send by FedEx, UPS, or Express Mail, all of which risk waking a sleeping baby. Qualified runners will be accepted according to postmark date on a first-come, first-serve basis.

We plan to start 140 runners this year and will close the field at 170 entries. We expect the race to fill quickly, and as before, there won't be a wait list. The entry fee is $195, same as it's been since 2008. Runners who cancel prior to July 1 will be refunded $100.

Additionally, you must complete a 50-mile race sometime prior to the race start date, and we'll have a trail work requirement again this year. As before, volunteers from the 2009 race will be able to enter early, starting with a Monday, February 1 postmark.

A Runner's Resolve

We're delighted to see that the Cascade Crest 100-Mile Endurance Run made a number of ultrarunners' 'Best Of 2009' lists, and it's fun hearing everyone's resolutions for the new year. Among the most inspiring comes from Cheri Redwine, who paced her husband Gary to a 28th place finish at the Cascade Crest 100 this past year.

The backstory: just three years ago, this mother of five was spending most of the day in her recliner, out of shape and on pain killers. Her doctors said she had fibromyalgia. Then she picked up Dean Karnazes' book and came to believe she could do better for herself. She hadn't run since childhood -- and she started with a twenty-minute mile.

Last year she finished the Where's Waldo 100K.

This year she goes for her first 100-mile finish.

We venerate our elite runners in ultrarunning, and deservedly so. Their accomplishments are so mind-bending, they sometimes seem to be of a different species altogether. But Cheri's story reminds us that every runner has their own deep history, their own personal demons and battles. Turning your life around like Cheri has done is truly something remarkable. Remember her when your new year's resolutions start to grow stale, and we'll see you out there on the trails.

Unique Gifts

If you're still on the hunt for a unique gift -- and who isn't -- check out the beautiful rings and necklaces created by our good friend Leah Kangas Jurek.

Leah, of course, is the artist responsible for those gorgeous hand-carved block prints that all Cascade Crest finishers received in recent years.

Leah's jewelry is handmade from a variety of natural materials, including metal, leather, and wool, silk, bamboo and cotton fibers, the latter of which are massaged together in a process known as felting, aka the oldest-known form of fabric-making. You can now find Leah's jewelry at the Seattle boutiques KOBO on Capitol Hill, Bitters Co. in Fremont, and Juniper in Madrona. Out-of-towners can also contact her via her website.

For the Ultrarunner on Your List

The Tribute to the Trails 2010 Calendar makes a perfect holiday gift for the active or aspiring ultrarunner on your list. The calendar features twelve months of Glenn Tachiyama's beautiful trail photography and a handy ultramarathon schedule for the Pacific Northwest and Western U.S. -- very helpful for making next year's training and racing plans. Plus, all profits go to the Washington Trails Association, a group that protects and enhances trails statewide, including some of the Cascade Crest 100 course.

Purchase calendars for $20 in person or online at the Seattle Running Company; Rogue Valley Runners in Ashland, Ore.; and Zombie Runner in Palo Alto, Cal.; and in person at the Balanced Athlete in Kent, Wash.; Everyday Athlete in Kirkland, Wash.; Fairhaven Runners in Bellingham, Wash.; Fit Right Northwest Walking and Running in Vancouver, Wash. and Portland, Ore.; and Fleet Feet in Bend, Ore. And become a fan on Facebook, if you're so inclined.

UPDATE: Glenn tells me that the calendar raised an amazing $15,000 for WTA last year and more than $35,000 since 2006. Thanks for supporting those who support us.

Ultrarunning Magazine Race Report

Charlie's Cascade Crest 100 race report is the spotlight article in November's Ultrarunning Magazine. It's a great summary of this year's event and includes such gems as this one about fourth place finisher Wouter Hamelinck, of Belgium:

"Wouter Hamelinck impressed everyone he met with his adventurous spirit and cheerful, helpful nature. He flew from Belgium to Seattle with his bike and pedaled to the start on Thursday. Friday he volunteered a full day on his feet helping race staff sort and pack gear for the aid stations. After scorching through the Cascades to a fourth place finish and grabbing a nap and shower, he loaded up his panniers and took off bicycling to the East, heading for Minnesota and the Superior 100 two weeks away. Keep that in mind the next time you plan what Wouter described as "a quick vacation from work".

New Assistant RD for Cascade Crest

Lucy Crissman finally arrived on the scene Tuesday morning. Her parents are so grateful to have a healthy little girl back at home. Thanks so much to all of you who have shared your good wishes and offered support. We've put our ultra skills to use and found a new use for duct tape!

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.