The Capitol Peak 50 mile, 55K, and Relay results are now posted on the website: http://www.capitolpeakultras.com/CP50mile.htm
The weather was finally nice to everyone out there, especially those who returned from suffering in last year’s snow madness, and the previous year with the “thorny carwash”! All I can say is... it’s about time! Hopefully the weather is this nice this same time next year!!
There were record braking performances on all levels, which I posted in a new link on the website. Van Phan broke her own course record by 51 minutes, with a time of 8:58. And Jim Kerby, after winning Mt Si 50, 6 days previous, also came and claimed the Capitol Peak crown and broke the course record with a time of 7:31. The 55Km also saw outstanding performances with Allison Hanks setting a new course record of 6:12, and John Berta setting a new course, beating the entire field by almost an hour, with a time of 4:58. John Berta was also the “First to the Peak”, which was the first to summit Capitol Peak at about mile 22 and then finished. We also would like to recognize our 1st seniors who were Max Welker in the 50 mile and Kent Holder in the 55Km. The 2-person relay “Team Slow Boy” which included Benjamin Chafflin and Tom Maciukena, proved their name wrong, by running just shy of the relay course record in a time of 7:13.
And as far as I know, all Capitol Peak repeaters PR’ed by a long shot! Congratulations to everyone who finished or gave it their best to attempt in this year’s Capitol Peak Ultras!
We are very much indebted to a huge contingent of volunteers that came out to help out. We are extremely thankful to the “Friends of Capitol Forest”, a new non-profit group, who have worked literally 100’s of hours on the trail. Several individuals of the FOCF also came out to help out at several aid stations. Thank you for all your support FOCF…you rock!!
Also thanks to the Thurston County Jeep Patrol and the Thurston County Search and Rescue for all radio communication at all the aid stations. Craig Dickson was a huge support in the timing of all three events and we very much appreciate all the time he put into recording and processing results. Volunteer individuals include: Roberta Woods, Alexa Martin, Kris Ryding, Mike Adams, Chris Snow, Herb Reeves, James Varner, Dave Snyder, Jim Graham, Nat Gen, Brian Goode, Kurt Unger, Terry Pruit, Ashley Birmingham, Bill Ball, Dave Mora, Caroline Klug, Paul Heffernan, Steve Cullen, Craig Graber, Sid Snyder, Bill and Helene Pearch (mom and dad), Jim Szumila (the creator and master of the wonderful vegan bean soup) and last but not least…Glenn Tachiyama for taking some wonderful photos of all you runners on the “grunt” up Capitol Peak! Many other volunteers chipped in, in many ways and if I forgot anyone or couldn’t remember all your names, we are so thankful for your help.
We are also thankful to all the wonderful sponsors which include South Sound Running, Keen footwear, the Balanced Athlete, Seattle Running Company, nuun active hydration, Backcountry Gear, Timberline Design (John Robinson), Trail Runner magazine, Club Oly, Talking Rain water company, Olympia Food Coop, Ralph’s Thriftway, Celebrations Party Store, and last but not least Washington Department of Natural Resources.
Thanks to all and congrats to everyone…see you next year!!
John Pearch
RD-Capitol Peak Ultras