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.

Profile

Get all the facts on your favorite race director in this month's Ultrarunning -- like that he's missing most of his right lung and also fears alligators (two apparently unrelated items), that his favorite race food is cheeseburgers, and he can claim 70-plus ultra finishes. And the thing about him swearing off crew after my sandals melted on the dash at Western States, well, I can confirm that one's true.

Snow in the Mountains

Recent conditions at the top of Tiger Mountain 3, as brought to you by the good Glenn Tachiyama. Looks more like a ski area than the setting for your weekend trail run. In any case, Happy New Year from us here at Cascade Crest 100, and all of our best wishes for good running in 2009!

Rain Shadow Running

Check out James Varner and Alison Hanks' snazzy new blog, Rain Shadow Running, a resource for Methow Valley trail runners and a great way to stay up to date on the half-dozen Washington state ultras that James and Alison will direct in 2009. The year's first races are the Orcas Island 25K and 50K on Saturday February 7, 2009, two great races on an absolutely beautiful course with lots of uphill and downhill. And bonus, they're perfect timing if you're looking to gauge how training is going right before registration for the Cascade Crest 100 opens on Monday, February 9, 2009.

Branch to Branch to Branch

Check out Sam Thompson's in town training run yesterday.

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

Transparency

After last year's Seattle Marathon, the Seattle Times reported that just 1% of marathon money was going to charity. This was big news for runners, who were let to believe that some portion their $120 entry fee was destined for charitable purposes. In fact, the Marathon was clearing $1 million each year, diverting $330,000 towards race employee compensation, and leaving little to plug into next year's race, let alone charity. The Marathon, a non-profit entity, even has a board of directors giving the thumbs up.

Today the Times reports that the Marathon has a new primary sponsor and no longer claims to benefit a specific charity. But otherwise it sounds like business as usual.

The Seattle Marathon's lack of transparency and misleading claims in '07 earned them a pile of criticism; justified in our opinion. Race directors can do whatever they like in setting entry fees and determining how to allocate the proceeds, but runners should be comfortable asking, and RDs comfortable answering, basic questions about where those fees go.

How Good is Your Italian?

The online ultrarunning magazine Spirito Trail has an article this month on the 2008 Cascade Crest 100. It's a beautiful-looking piece that features some more of Glenn Tachiyama's lovely photographs -- and it's written entirely in Italian. Give us a holler if you can translate.

Oh, And One More Thing

Chances are that your copy of the October Ultrarunning Magazine has arrived, and maybe you've checked out Charlie's '08 Cascade Crest race report. Well, one juicy little race tidbit that didn't quite make it into print was local runner Jeff Mikesell's engagement, to his girlfriend, at the Thorp Mountain lookout during the race. Nice work, Jeff! Seems to me most people hit the coffee or caffeine gels to keep going, but hey, whatever it takes to get you to the finish.

Seriously though, we extend our warmest congratulations to Jeff and his fiancee.