Please bring cardboard (yes, cardboard) to the start

Local runners -- we would appreciate if you can bring flattened cardboard to the start that is kicking around your garage, basement or recycle bin.

We'll use it to help out of town runners package up some of their race mementos. Thanks!

Driving directions to aid stations

Runners and Crew People -- aid station driving directions have been updated and include a map (of sorts).

Race numbers posted

Race numbers were just added to the entrants list.

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.

Reporter interested in interviewing runners

Jim Fossett, a reporter from Cle Elum, is interested in interviewing a few runners before the race. If you'd like to provide Jim with some newsprint fodder feel free to contact him at jim@nkctribune.com, or at 509.674.2511 ext 208.

Bill Thompson looking for ride to Easton this weekend

Bill Thompson who is over from Australia for the run is looking to hitch a ride out to the course from Portland or Seattle sometime in the next couple of days. You can reach Bill by email at dimboola@netaccess.com.au or at 503.296.6271.

Bill is staying with Gail and Sid Snyder in Portland and is planning to get out to take a look at the course this week. If anyone is going near the course from either Portland or Seattle in the next few days (or from anywhere Bill can get to by bus) please contact Bill if you can give him a ride.

Runner's Manual posted

The 2009 Runner's Manual is available here.

2009 Runner's Manual coming soon

A few of you have asked about revisions to the Runner's Manual. It is undergoing some revision and I plan to post a refreshed copy to the website by Sunday.

Trail work opportunity - Seattle area

For any runners who are still looking for trail work see the details below for a cool opportunity to hike out some gear from a backcountry trail restoration project on Saturday, Aug 15 near Skykomish, WA.

Volunteers needed to assist in carrying gear OUT on Saturday, August 15^th. The crew will have finished and hiked out on the 13^th, so we will need volunteers to hike in with an empty pack and hike out with a heavy pack (possibly up to 50lbs, but more likely less (30-40lb) with more volunteers!).

The location is Snoqualmie Lake. It is a 14 mile roundtrip hike, with 2,200 feet of elevation gain. Drive time is about 2 hours one way (trailhead is off Hwy 2, 3 miles before the town of Skykomish). Randi Shaw, an EarthCorps project manager, will be going out with the group that day. If you are interested (or know of people who may be interested), or have questions regarding this fabulous opportunity to volunteer for EarthCorps, please contact me by email or phone. See my contact info below. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you!

Malia Caracoglia
Field Logistics Specialist
EarthCorps

206.255.4152
malia@earthcorps.org

Training Run Report

Devon Crosby-Helms blogs about her training run with local runners on the last 32 miles of the Cascade Crest 100 course -- on the hottest weekend of the year.