The Tough Survive at Capital Peak 50 mile Ultramarathon and Relay
By Tom Riley (Woodburn, OR) --Ultrarunning Magazine: June, 2006 issue
The second running of the Capital Peak 50 miler was to be an adventure this past Easter weekend. Race directors John Pearch and James Varner put on the ultra event just outside of Olympia, Washington. I have grown to expect anything from running in the Capital State Forest, as my first ultra took place in this forest in January of 2004. Since then I have ran each of the Mega-Fat Ass events that are put on in January and the first 50 miler last year. This year mimicked my first ultra, nicknamed Mega-Cold Ass because of the harsh weather. However, this years Capitol Peak 50 was unique to any other race for me, as it was apart of my Western States 100 mile training and a chance to achieve my personal best on a tough 50 mile trail ultra!
John Pearch and James Varner always put on great ultra events as they are formidable ultrarunners themselves. They both exemplify what trail running is all about.
The timing of the race was perfect for many whom would use it a good training run for 100’s later this summer. Jason Moyer, the eventual winner in 7:34 from Bend, Oregon was there. Jeff Browning, former winner of Bighorn 100 finishing second in 7:54. Fairly new to the ultra world coming in third was Lewis Taylor in 8:01. James Kerby, 5th at last years Western States and 2nd at this year’s H.U.R.T. 100 was also there finishing 4th in 8:21. Women’s winner of this year’s March Mudness 100k in Portland, Oregon, was Van Phan coming in first again for the women in 9:49. And not to mention new to the 50 mile distance was Christel Elliott putting on a strong showing finishing second for the women.
In conjunction with the 50 miler was also a two and four person relay. Many quality runners signed up for the event. The two person relay provided a great race also showcasing Sean Meissner (50 mile record holder for Rocky Raccoon) and a fast Justin Angle; Jeff Riley ( winner at last years Javalina Jundred) and Craig Thornley (10th at last years Western States). The Flying Squirrels vs. the Sunsweet Twins!
The toughest people on the course that day were the volunteers, with most of the race run with cold snowy conditions. The runners at least were moving but the volunteers had to endure the cold, standing and waiting for many hours as we all passed through the aid stations, providing unbelievable supportive spirits!
The race itself is run on almost all single-track and only a few miles of forest roads are used. Many good climbs are provided with over 7000 feet of elevation gain. In between the climbs was a lot of good running on well marked trails.
With temperatures in the low 30’s at the start of the race, it surely didn’t feel like a springtime race. The race consists of three separate loops and a climb up Capital Peak to 2659 feet. The first loop came back to the start/finish line and was uneventful. But it was on the second figure 8 loop that the cold started to make the race more challenging, with the first sign of snow at 1650 feet. Upon running into the snow country, the feet and hands lost their dexterity and the cold started to become bone chilling. The wet muddy trails in sections provided more challenges later on. If the runners weren’t running in muddy conditions, they were running in the 3 to 4 inches of freshly fallen snow. Luckily the wind was not much a factor on top of the Peak as the wind has been severe in past mega-cold ass events!
Just before the final ascent of Capital Peak was a well placed aid station with cheery volunteers and a nice hot cup of soup to prepare for the upcoming cold Capitol Peak ridge trail. Many took advantage of this warm and salty opportunity!
And it turned out later; the snow wasn’t the greatest challenge of the day but instead was along Hell’s Creek trail that the runners heart was tested. Maybe it was their ankles that were tested the most. This trail was appropriately named as it is very rocky and had a three inch river draining down the middle from all the snow runoff. By the end of this 1.5 mile rutted river trail section, I don’t think there was a runner that could feel their toes. Especially when they ascended back up into a mix of snow and mud, once again experiencing very cold challenging conditions, this late in the race.
After this final four mile (1800 foot) climb I don’t think I could have been any colder. To top it off I had to take a fall about two miles from the final aid station. After making my snow angel for the day, I was wondering what it felt like to have hypothermia.
After brushing off the snow I headed down the trail and noticed cougar tracks. I had already seen a fox and Easter bunny tracks climbing up Capital Peak, this was one reason why I like doing trail runs. Should I be worried about a Cougar? No, if it attacked me I wouldn’t be able to feel the bite by now anyway. I was coached what to do before the race. Get in the fetal position, be quiet and become docile. Or was that for a bear? After all, there was a special bear hunt that day. Maybe I should have paid more attention to detail.
Getting into the last aid station at mile 43.5, I had to thank the volunteers once again. They made sure I was safe and reminded me that it was a sweet gradual downhill to the finish, almost all the way. They were right, what a great finish. The best part of finishing was that I was able to feel my feet and hands again after finally dropping below the snow level… once and for all!
The finish had a wonderful bonfire and some fantastic hot homemade Vegan soup. What a great way to warm up after a surprisingly cold spring day in Capital State Forest.
Both the Men’s and Women’s front runners of both the solo and relay races posted some fantastic times given the conditions. I think all felt great satisfaction in completing a great 50 mile trail run.