View from $2 Trail
Trail work
Just over a week ago the Chuckanut 50k trails were littered with downed trees. On the $2 Trail alone there were 5 trees that stopped me in my tracks to climb over and get going again. As of Saturday the trails are cleared/passable. There was a huge tree down on the South Lost Lake trail that Cascade Mountain Runners Dan and Kevin were able to limb and clear to make passable. The Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition made short order of the trails on the ridge. Washington Trail Association were out in force March 8 and Larrabee State park organized crews to clear $2 and Chinscraper (aka Black Diamond). Incredible like-minded people working to keep the trails usable for all.
The ridge is slippery and technical as always, but the trees are clear reducing your number of obstacles. Fingers crossed for zero winds this week.
Huge Thanks to all of the hands that rallied to clear Chuckanut Mountain of the downfallen trees. Chuckanut 50k runners are ever thankful.
South Lost Lake Trail Before
South Lost Lake Trail after
USAT&F members can win $$$
Following is the prize money list for the Western WA USATF members who place at the Chuckanut 50k.
Western Washginton USAT&F would like to encourage memberships, noting that the main benefit for most runners is the amazing sport accident insurance!
You must be a registered USAT&F member BEFORE the start of the Chuckanut 50k to earn the following prize money.
Open Men and Women
1st $200
2nd $150
3rd $125
Masters Men and Women
1st $150
2nd $125
3rd $100
Pre-RACE… packet pickup, Film Fest
We are looking forward to the gathering of Chuckanut 50k runners, volunteers and spectators in just one weeks time! All race details can be found on our DETAILS page… following are a few of the highlights.
Friday March 14: Packet Pickup will be hosted at the Chrysalis Inn in their Kulshan room. You can pick up your bib numbers and visit with our Sponsors and Supporters starting at 5pm. We will be there till 8pm.
If you would like to collect your bib and shirt (if ordered) earlier in the week please stop by Fairhaven Runners. Bibs will be available for pickup there Tuesday March 11, 10am thru Friday March 14, at 3pm. Sponsor goodies will only be available at the Chrysalis Inn packet pickup and at the finish line.
Also on Friday March 14 for your evening entertainment Rainshadow Running is putting on The Trail Running Film Festival.
Fairhaven is one of my favorite little towns in all of my travels and the local businesses are amazing in their support of the Chuckanut 50k. Be sure to take some time to explore this great little downtown and community!
Saturday March 15: Packet Pickup will be available at Start line near the corner of 6th & Harris from 6:30-7:45am. RACE START is 8AM.
All runners must CHECK-IN on race morning regardless of when/where you picked up your BIB #.
Come Prepared… Packing List
The Pacific NW continues to challenge Chuckanut 50k runners & volunteers with its varying weather. It is part of the mystic of this event and really what makes for the best race stories in the weeks and months following. We would like to encourage everyone to come prepared for all weather and created the following list to help you with your race day packing.
Weather:
The current forecast for Saturday March 15 predicts a high of 52degrees with a 20% chance of rain. Friday has a 40% chance of rain and Sunday is 70%. The ridge is always a bit cooler and exposed to wind. Running with a light jacket is highly recommenWhether you are from the PNW or not, everyone knows that the weather is fickle and is not dependable. Please come prepared for all conditions.
Please bring:
Your race bib#. DO NOT FORGET TO CHECK IN RACE MORNING!
UltraCup or waterbottle or hydration pack
Post race warm, dry clothes: Beanie, gloves, rain jacket, down jacket, fleece layer, pants, socks, water proof shoes or warm boots
Nice extras: wet wipes, favorite post run snacks
We will have:
First Endurance Ultragen Recovery mix - bring a water bottle to mix
Hot Soup from the BookFare Cafe
Bread from Great Harvest (some Gluten Free options)
Coffee from Tony's Coffee
Water, cola and typical aid station fare
Post Race Festivities & Prizes
At the Finish Line we will celebrate your finish and host an awards ceremony for age group and overall winners. Thanks to our Sponsors and Supporters we have a $4500 prize purse, an amazing list of prizes and random giveaways so please stick around.
Collect your cash! - Our Prize Purse and awards are a great start to the racing season. Be sure to collect yours before leaving!
You must pick up your prizes at the finish line. We will not mail prizes this year.
The race course closes at 4pm. Following clean up, the race staff looks forward to joining everyone at Boundary Bay Brewery. This is a non-hosted gathering and a great opportunity to get our of the weather, enjoy good food, beer and stories from the day.
Finish Line Massage
Theron Eirish will once again set up at the finish line to aid in your speedy recovery. This is a donation based service and I hope each of you will recognize the value of post race massage. If you do find yourself on the table, plan to tip this team generously.
Inspiration
It's all around us. I tend to find mine in people. Too recently one of the more inspiring people in my life passed away in a climbing accident in the mountains. It is possible that many Chuckanut 50k runners know Chad Kellogg. Much more known in the climbing world, his only race result on UltraSignUp.com is the 2011 Chuckanut 50k. He loved to run, loved to push himself and loved to find more each time he went to the mountains. A humble being that was also one of the most motivated, driven and enduring people I have known. He made unreal sacrifices to spend the most time possible training for and being in the mountains. This man lived it and loved it.
His life was celebrated on Saturday and I am extremely thankful I was able to be there to celebrate his life with such an amazing group of climbers, friends and family. Funerals are for the living and super helpful in the healing process and trying to understand each for themselves the loss of a close friend.
I want to continue to celebrate Chad. Such that Chuckanut is the focus of most of my energy these days I think that the runners of the Chuckanut 50k can make a positive impact by donating to the climbing fund established to inspire others to get out and enjoy the mountains as he did.
The American Alpine Club makes it easy with the contribution page on their website. https://americanalpineclub.org/donate/contribution
Additionally, Runner Girl Races, LLC will match any donations made on race weekend up to $500, (maybe $1000 if I can swing it) but I hope we can blow that number out of the water. There will be a bucket for your contributions... $1, $20, or whatever change you have in your car's ash tray think about helping me channel some energy to this great memory.
The Trail Running Film Festival presented by Rainshadow Running
An evening of the latest and greatest full length and short films showcasing the challenges, beauty and community inherent in the world of trail running. From world class filmmakers to the best works made by weekend warriors The Trail Running Film Festival takes the audience on a virtual run through forests, up mountains, beyond emotional obstacles and across the finish line. With live music from The Pine Hearts it's a night filled with friends and fun.
Coming to Bellingham's Mt Baker Theatre on Friday March 14th!
BUY TICKETS HERE: http://www.trailfilmfest.com/p/buy-tickets_24.html
FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/events/235066919997782/
Sponsored by
Bellingham Trail Running Series http://www.bellinghamtrail.com
Chuckanut 50k http://chuckanut50krace.com/
Trail Run Crazy: http://www.trailruncrazy.com/
Two and half hours of fun and inspiring trail running films and videos of various lengths and on a variety of subjects. And The Pine Hearts will be performing before, during the intermission and afterwards so plan on arriving early and staying after the films to make a whole night of it and hang out with your running buddies and make new friends! There will be beer and other concessions for sale. The doors will open at 5pm and the first film starts 6pm. There will be approximately a 30 minute intermission and the last film will end around 9pm. Afterwards the Pine Hearts will either keep the party going!
The Lineup of Films for the 2014 Northwest Tour
2013 Rainshadow Running Highlights Video
2014 Orcas Island Race Video
Never Before Seen Footage from the Upcoming Barkley Film
The Dipsea Documentary
Finding Traction Extended Trailer
Roll Out!
Running the Edge: The Colorado Trail
Full descriptions of the films/videos can be found on the fest's website: www.trailfilmfest.com
Help spread the word!!!
This being a brand new project, Rainshadow Running www.rainshadowrunning.com would love your help in getting the word out.
"Like" the film fest on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Trail-Running-Film-Fest/181708985366138
Follow on Twitter: @trailrunfilm
And you can always forward this message to all your buddies.
Zero Waste is the Goal
Trail running is awesome for its simplicity. The goal of the Chuckanut 50k is to create a great atmosphere for runners while capturing the essence of why we spend time in the mountains. For me, it is the ability to be self-sustained and under the power of my own two feet to arrive at some of the most beautiful places on earth. Lucky Us!
We put together the necessary bits to create a supported race atmosphere yet are constantly working against consumptive routines the best we can. To continue our efforts started in 2013, we look forward to providing hot soup from The Book Fare Cafe, bread from Great Harvest and coffee from Tony's Coffee. The altered bit?
In your own bowls and mugs.
Please remember to bring a mug, spoon and bowl to enjoy the post race eats!