The 4th annual Capitol Peak Mega Fat Ass brought 122 runners together from around the northwest on Saturday, January 22, 2005. This year had many changes to the Mega Fat Ass. The course was the same as last year (17+ mile loop) but the start/finish was at the Falls Creek Campground instead of Wedekind shelter. Last year the DNR (for you medical folks out there, that does NOT stand for "Do Not Resuscitate", but instead "Department of Natural Resources") did us a favor in tearing down the shelter at Wedekind. The shelter was actually severely vandalized every year which forced us a huge clean up effort in past years. This year, having it at Falls Creek, made life a lot easier on us in not having to worry about doing all the clean up since Falls Creek is already cleaned up and shut down for the season. The other favor DNR were happy to give us, was access to the Falls Creek campground even though it was out of season. This gave us a lot more parking and a good place to start the run before the big climb up Capitol Peak. Starting at Falls Creek in turn changed the profile layout, since it is only at 500 feet in elevation (compared to Wedekind which was at 1880 ft in elevation). Instead of the long 6 mile descent at the start, there was a long 6 mile ascent climbing over 2000 feet up Capitol Peak. Regardless of the unknown distance and change in course start/finish, there were some faster results for both the half ass and ultra distance events.
The weather this year was rather mild compared to last year. However, the multi-day rain event that hit Capitol Forest prior to the race caused the trails to be muddier than the race for Washington governor. There were just showers on fat ass day which enabled some exceptionally fast times.
This year not only brought quantity but also quality runners from around the region. Krissy Sybrowsky (winner of last years Wasatch 100 mile) winning with a time of 5:58, followed by Iliana Avila-Campillo 6:12 and Carol O'Hear (3rd place at Western States 100 mile) 6:14, all ran at a close margin during both loops and finished with some fast times. The mens race also brought some competetion including Kyle Skagss, Jim Kerby (winner of Arkansas Travelor 100 mie) and Justin Angle. The men were dominated by the "rookie" ultrarunner and 19 year old Kyle Skaggs. Kyle is an Evergreen State Univerisity cross country runner who has taken a serious step into the ultra world. Kyle took out an intense lead beating most of the one loop runners by 4 minutes (except for the leader) and managed to keep his lead in both loops. Kyle is from Glenwood, New Mexico who had the opportunity to train at 10,000 feet during Christmas vacation. Kyle was paced by his cross country coach, Craig Dickson, for the second loop which enabled him to run a remarkable time of 4:53. Kerby and Angle also ran respectable fast times in 5:07 and 5:20, respectively. Scott McCoubrey also ran a great race with his trail companion Jack the dog!
The half ass distance (17+ mile loop) brought many road racers onto the trails, as well. The womens were led by Jenny Knight (2:41) followed by Maureen Kavonagh (2:47) and Beth Reiter (2:48). The mens race was dominated by Todd Pehowski who ran an outstanding time of 2:02, after running to the top of Capitol Peak in only 52 minutes. Don Wesley and Robert Palmquist both finished within a close margin of 2:19:04 and 2:19:35, respectively. There were also several high school runnners that finished the 17 mile distance including Sam Lowe, Wes Seipel, Bobby Seipel and Jason Seipel. Two Evergreen Cross Country team runners also finished including John Each and Justin Porter. It was so grateful to see numerous running groups from around the Pacific Northwest as well as from the Olympia area coming out to run in the forest.
We are indepted to the wonderful support we received from the Thurston County Jeep Patrol. These guys really made us all feel very safe and would not have felt othewise without their gracious support. I am also thankful for many Evergreen Cross Country team members, my partner (Dana Hilz) and many other volunteers who came out to help out with the registration as well as the timing. I am also thankful for Scott McCoubrey for bringing a big crew of runners down from Seattle Running Company along with their easy-up tent for shelter. Also thanks to South Sound Running and Craig Dickson for providing additional tents for shelter! But I am forever indebted to all of you runners that came out to support the main theme of this event: to Run backwards for Scott...and Live the McQueeney Passion!!! You all were so generous to donate to Scott's daughter and family and make them realize how many great people are out there in the world of ultra/trail running!! In addition, we raised over $600 for Shannon!!
Results for both distances can be found on the following website: http://www.capitolpeakultras.com/cpmfaindex.htm
I also posted photos and stories on the website. I apologize for the poor quality and quantity of photos, so please send email me more photos and I will post them on the website.
Happy Trails!
John Pearch
PS: I am doing well with my recovery after having knee surgery this past Wednesday. The surgery was a success after getting an arthroscopic medial meniscectomy and chondroplasty. The last 2 weeks have been extraordinarly busy and I am forever indebted to all those that gave their support in my recovery. I WILL be back in running on the trails soon!!