Update on Wednesday Apr 22, 2009

Hello again Capitol Peak Entrants,

We've been hard at work getting the course all worked on, melting all the snow with our blow torches and getting the trails as muddy as ever with our fire hoses...well not really...but we have been clearing a lot of brush and tree blow downs! There is very little snow remaining up on Capitol Peak ridge thanks to all this nice weather and the course is actually in great shape since the horses are not permitted to ride until after May 1st. Thanks to Kris Ryding, Herb Reeves, Heidi Perry, Dave Mora, Wayne Ballew and many other Olympia Trail Runners for helping in getting the course all cleared. The Friends of Capitol Forest have also been very active in clearing trail thorughout the winter, putting in endless hours to make it an enjoyable place to run (and Mtn bike for their sake)!  Looks like the weather forecast looks promising but please still be prepared for any cold wintery conditions. You never know in Capitol Forest!!
 
Here are a few updates go along with my previous email string below.
Cutoffs
The Cutoff times for the race is actually 13 hours total from the 5 am early start (at 6pm). So if you think it's going to take you longer than 12 hours, please take the early start.
Based on the new course change this year, here are some cutoff times at designed aid stations: Here's the new course for this year: http://www.capitolpeakultras.com/cp50milemap2009.pdf
 
A4/A5 Capitol Jct 1:30pm The 55K splits AFTER you climb to the very top of Capitol Peak. If you don't make it back to A5 by 1:30PM, you can still descend back to Falls Ck and get a 55K finish. However, this is the LAST opportunity for 50 milers to change their mind and just run 55K (as the shorter option)!
 
A9 Wedekind 5:00pm If you are a 50 miler you also need to do the 50 mile outandback, and get back to Wedekind A9 by 5:00pm in order to continue on for a 50 mile finish. However, if you are a 50 miler and don't do the outandback, this will be considered a DNF. There won't be a option of shorter distance like it was last year from Wedekind. You need to make that decision earlier when you get to A5 (Capitol Jct station).
Please respect these cutoff times as the volunteers will be out there for a long time already and we can only leave the course open for so long before the volunteers become grump;)
 
T-shirts: We ordered just the exact amount of shirts from Brooks for those that registered by April 1st. There might have been a few that asked me before I submitted the actual order immediatly after April 1st, but for those that registered later, please wait until after the finish and we'll see if there are any extras. For those that do not show up at the race or can't make it please let me know that you will have someone pick up by someone that is running the race. We can't afford to send these shirts to no shows! Otherwise, we will give the tshirt to those that run the race. 
 
ENTRANTS LIST: Please notice the awesome entrants list/database that Mark Gilligan has created for Capitol Peak! He has been working this database for ultras everywhere and it's great that Capitol Peak could be apart of this cool creation!
http://ultrasignup.com/entrants_event.aspx?did=4706
 
RAFFLE! We will have top awards and other 5 year awards (no pressure Jamie Gifford and Tom Riley) presented after most people are finished in each race.  However, make sure you check at the finish line to see if you won the age group award mug. Thanks to the new Route 16 Walking and Running store in Gig Harbor, there will be a raffle drawing to win a Suunto watch for all participants! We will do the drawing at around 3:00pm but if if you're still running, we'll hold the prize if your name is drawn. But those that already finished you need to be present to win!!

Food and Sponsors: Thanks to all the sponsors who have chipped in so much again this year. Thanks to the Olympia Coop for their donation for the post race bean soup, San Francisco Bakery for all their bread and other baked goods. Aid stations will also be fully stocked thanks to nuun electrolyte drink, Talking Rain water, Gu sports gels, ProBars and a bunch of good 'ol fasion ultra food! Many other sponsors were very generous in providing prizes including Seattle Running Company, South Sound Running, Route 16 Running & Walking, and The Balanced Athltete. We couldn't have done it without all their generous support!
One last thing: Dr. John Tanasse will be there to give anyone interested in receiving Active Release Technique before, during or after the race: http://www.capitolpeakultras.com/sponsors.htm
 
Remember it's Art Walk in downtown Olympia Friday night, so hopefully you can take advantage of coming and checking out all the art on your easy prerace walk!
 
Also, for those new to this email string, please see the below email for details on where the packet pickup is on Friday, camping and signing in at the start!
 
See you all on Saturday morning!
 
John Pearch


 
Updated On Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 10:49 PM, John Pearch
 
Greetings Capitol Peak Entrants!

We are delighted that you have entered for the 5th annual Capitol Peak 50 mile/ 55K Ultramarathon on April 25, 2009!  After some major storms this winter and a huge snowy winter, the trails are now in relatively good shape after hundreds of volunteer hours spent.  Many people have generously donated their time to volunteer and work on the trails this year in Capitol Forest.  There were numerous trees blown down this year from all the wind storms but we have been able to keep up with trail maintenance this year.  We are so thankful for all the time was spent by all these volunteers, particularly Friends of Capitol Forest!  We are again donating our proceeds to the Friends of Capitol Forest to help continue all the great trail work.  Several members of the Friends of Capitol Forest will be out there helping out at some of the aid stations who we greatly appreciate their participation in this event in contributing to the cause. 

ENTRIES STILL ACCEPTED! If you know of anyone interested in running the the 50 mile or 55K, please let them know we are still taking entries and will continue on race day. 

Anyone can sign up at the packet pickup at South Sound Running store located at 3409 Capitol Blvd in Olympia (near the old Tumwater Olympia brewery) or on our website application link: www.capitolpeakultras.com/cp50mile.htm
 

PACKET PICKUP is available between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm on Friday April 24, 2009 at South Sound Running in Olympia, WA. 
You will receive your race bib number, t-shirt and a bunch of other goodies in your packet.  Please do NOT lose your number!!  Also, even if you already picked up your number at the packet pickup, there will also be a sign-in at the start. 
CHECK-IN: REGISTERED RUNNERS MUST CHECK IN ON RACE DAY AT START (FALLS CREEK DAY USE AREA) BEFORE THE START OF THE RACE BETWEEN 4:30AM to 5:45 AM!

PRE-RACE BRIEFING: There will be a pre-race briefing at the start at 5:45am (4:50 for early start).  Please try and be there early.

CAMPING AND LODGING: There are designated campsites at Falls Creek so you are welcome to camp the night before if you choose.  However, please don't park in the soft grassy areas within the campground area. The camping is free and is first come first serve. The campground is located only about a couple hundred yards from the Start/Finish at the Day Use area.  See website for more details on other lodging: http://www.capitolpeakultras.com/accommodations.htm

You are welcome to camp Friday night at the Falls Creek campground and keep your car parked there throughout the race.  Just please don't try and park in the campground on the day of the race!! Also, if you drive in late you can park at the start, but please be considerate to others who are already asleep.   See driving directions on how to get to the start: http://www.capitolpeakultras.com/cp50driving_directions.htm

 
RACE RULES/ TRAIL ETIQUETTE
  • Numbers must be worn on the front and visible at all times.
  • Announce that you are going to pass any runner you intend to pass, when it is safe to do so.
  • Yield to any runner who announces they want to pass you by stepping off the trail, when it is safe to do so.
  • Beware on the climb up Capitol Peak, 55K runners will be running back downhill so please be aware of those running downhill...and of course for those running downhill please be courteous to those running uphill.
  • If you come up on a horse, step off the side of the trail, going around the horse and talk to the horse riders so you don't scare the horse. 
  • Please be considerate to all other recreational users including equestrians, hikers, and mountain bikers.
  • If you drop from the race, please notify the aid station captain.
  • No cutting switch backs. 
  • No littering.  Pack out all trash (to designated aid stations). 
  • Dogs permitted only if they are well trained and have trail running experience! Please carry a leash!
  • Pacers and crew support is welcome after A3 Falls Creek aid station.

The Course: We have made changes to the Capitol Peak 50 mile course due to some major storm damage from this past winter storm.  The snow is melting fast up on the Capitol Peak ridge and near Wedekind but we think it will be runnable--with a few stumps to jump by April 25th.  We had to make appropriate modifications to the course which will make the course comparable to previous years, but will still be a challenge with whatever snow that might remain on the ridge on race day.  Please check out the website that shows the course modifications:  http://www.capitolpeakultras.com/course.htm  This course change forces the 55K to descend back down to the finish after climbing up Capitol Peak (after A5), and will not continue onto Wedekind (A6) like the 50 mile runners will do.
PLEASE NOTE: All 55k runners will be running back down, against runners climbing up Capitol Peak. Please use your best discretion on who yields to who, but as good practice goes, uphill runners should step off the trail for downhill runners. Also, we will have SAR posted at the main C-line road crossing the road, but please respect any directions from them at the road crossing.

Aid stations and Crew Support: Also, please take a look at all the details about the
course on the website.  There is a map of the course, a detailed course description and crew driving directions, crew access, drop bag info etc: No crew is allowed at the first aid station (A1), since it is hard to find and you also might miss your runner anyways.  There also won't be drop bags available at A1.  However, crew is permitted at the Lost Valley aid station (A2) and drop bags will be available there as well. Similar to previous years, Aid station 3 is at the start/finish, A4/A5 at Capitol Peak, and A6/A8 at Wedekind. Please be extremely cautius when driving to all the aid stations, especially if there is still snow on the roadway. Also, A7 (on D-2000 road) will be closer from Wedekind than last year on the 50 mile out and back piece.
 

South Puget Mobile Search and Rescue will be stationed at each aid station so please let anyone at the aid station if there is an emergency or in need of medical assistance.
 
 
The cutoffs remain the same at 13 hours for the 6:00 am regular start and 14 hours for the 5:00 am early start.  If you think you will take longer then 13 hours, please take the 5:00 am early start! 

What to Wear: Plan on rainy and cool weather on race day!  Bring extra clothes for the finish.  Wear or have in a drop bag: long-sleeve performance shirt, light windbreaker, shorts or tights, hat gloves, gaiters etc.  In 2006 it snowed about 3 inches all above 1500 feet in elevation and it was darn cold.  Who knows what it will be this year with a snowpack that still remains on the Peak!

Dogs: We encourage anyone who want to run with your dog, but please make sure you sign your dogs name in at the start. And also make sure you have a leash and keep them under control and not running too far ahead and chasing other runners. We are not responsible for lost dogs!

Post Race Meal/ Awards: The post race meal will begin about 11:30 am -12:00 pm and the awards will be presented upon finishing.  The plan is a good 'ol home made bean soup and great home made bread from our favorite Olympia's finest San Francisco Street Bakery...that everyone to enjoy (including vegans!).  We have great prizes for our top finishers and age group winners including tile plaques and mugs with the Capitol Peak 50 design (produced by Timberline Design, John Robinson), and other great prizes from South Sound Running, Seattle Running Company, Brooks, the Balanced Athlete, Trail Runner, Ultrarunning. Tanasse Chiropractic will also be at the start and finish for all runners who are interested in getting the Active Release Technique treatment...trust me it is what has allowed me to recover from a 536 mile bike race!!

We are so thankful to all the sponsors who have generously donated many great prizes, aid station supplies or discounts for our post race meal.  Sponsors include: Brooks, Seattle Running Company, nuun, Gu Sports Gel, South Sound Running, The Balanced Athlete, , Talking Rain Water Company, Route 16 Running and Walking, Olympia Food Coop, Ralph's Thriftway, Tumwater Rentals, San Francisco Street Bakery. We also thank all the great support from South Puget Sound Mobile Search and Rescue, and to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources for permitting this event as well as USATF for sanctioning this event as a USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Running event.

This is also apart of the new Washington Ultra Series http://www.trail-run-crazy.com/Washington-Ultra-Series.html
as well as Trail Runner Trophy Race Series http://www.trailrunnermag.com/trophy.php!
 
We are looking forward in seeing you all on April 25th!

John Pearch
RD- Capitol Peak 50 mile/55K and Relay
www.capitolpeakultras.com/cp50mile.htm

PS: If you know of anyone interested in volunteering on race day, please email us: capitolpeak@gmail.com
 

3/29/06 update

Greetings:

The 5th annual Capitol Peak 50 mile and 55K is just around the corner...April 25th!  Sign up by April 1st to save money and to make sure you get your t-shirt ordered.
http://www.capitolpeakultras.com/CP50mile.htm

Capitol Peak will have all kinds of prizes from several generous sponsors including: Brooks, Seattle Running Company, South Sound Running, The Balanced Athlete, Route 16 Running and Walking, Trail Runner and Ultrarunning magazines.  Food and drink sponsors include: nuun, Gu, Talking Rain, Olympia Food Coop, San Francisco St Bakery,  which we greatly appreciate all the support at the aid stations.  We also have a new logo for out t-shirts which will printed on Brooks Podium shirts. We greatly appreciate all the sponsors support for all their generous contributions!

Capitol Peak is the 3rd race in the Washington Ultra Series.  For more information and to check the current standings: http://www.trail-run-crazy.com/Washington-Ultra-Series.html
This race is also apart of the Trail Runner Trophy Series: http://www.trailrunnermag.com/trophy.php

This race is a benefit for the Friends of Capitol Forest, a non-profit group working towards improving and maintaining the trails in Capitol Forest.   Speaking of  taking care of  trails, we'll be out on several trail work parties on April 4 and 5 and 19th, to repair severe trail damage that occurred from last December/January storms.  If you need volunteer hours or just want to do give back to the trails for the fun of it, we can always use an extra hand. Friends of Capitol Forest next trail work party will be on April 4:
 http://www.capitolforest.com/friendsofcapitolforest.html

As always, we have once again had to make changes to the course due to some major storm damage from this past December storm.  There is also still snow up on the Capitol Peak ridge and near Wedekind but we think it will be runnable by April 25th.  We finally had a chance to make the appropriate modifications to the course.  Please check out the website that shows the course modifications:  http://www.capitolpeakultras.com/course.tm

Also, anyone interested in volunteering at the race, please let us know.

For more information and updates, please check out our website.

Thanks for supporting Capitol Peak and Friends of Capitol Forest!

John Pearch- RD Capitol Peak 50 mile and 55K
www.capitolpeakultras.com
capitolpeak@gmail.com

360-250-2006

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