June 1st 2009:

On June 20th 2009. A 50K and 100K point-to-point mostly on railroad grade trails down the I-90 corridor:

Due to the tunnel closure at Snoqualmie Pass a revised 100K route will use forest roads and trails to bypass the tunnel. The race will be from Easton to Carnation.
For details, runners can download this 2009 event booklet (includes new start location).

Start Details:

People have been asking about how we're bypassing the closed Snoqualmie tunnel. This map should answer your questions. Obviously our course will be well marked on the day:

Late entry? Email

Blanchard Mountain Ultra - Results - May 30 2009

The 6th Edition of the Blanchard Mountain Ultra was run on Saturday May 30th 2009. We had 40 runners (18 women, 18 men, 4 canine). 17 runners did the full 3 loops (and one pooch). 2 runners did a marathon distance variation and others got some extra credit. Everybody had fun and I think those running fewer loops had the day was as social as usual around the finish. Click here for more photos and and here for full results.

The Dumb Ass was canceled this year due to an extreme weather forecast. For some Dumb Asses the cancellation was just the final step of the qualification process: they ran anyway: 2008 Results

Updates:
12/21/2008: Arthur's 2008 Dumb Ass Report
12/19/2008: Glenn's Pictures of Pristine Conditions
12/16/2008: Dumb Ass Loop Photos (including some course directions)
12/13/2008: Dumb Ass Loop Photos

Cold and dry - perfect Birch Bay conditions, for December: 2008 Results.

After another fine weather day and great run, here are the results: 2008 Results.
Here are some pictures: photos on blog.

I'll give Eric credit for the title of this post. His reason for avoiding our Dumb Ass Training runs is that he doesn't want to dumb down his Dumb Ass experience. Fair enough.

One issue I had early on with Dirty Girl Gaiters was affixing the Velcro to the backs of my shoes. You learn very quickly that the sticky surface of the Velcro is not enough. Read about my simple solution..

Big Dabrowski 50k Trail

The Big Dabrowski 50K is great 50k link-up through the Issaquah Alps originally conceived by Chris Dabrowski. This route is a point to point run starting on the east side of Tiger Mountain and ending on the shores of Lake Washington. The trail has approximately 4600 feet of elevation gain and over 90% is run on single track trail through lush forest and wilderness areas. It makes a fine self-supported point-to-point 50k for experienced trail runners. Click here for more details.

Alpental to North Bend 50k Trail

This is self-guided trail run from Snoqualmie Pass down the Middle Fork valley to the Mt Si trailhead. For a 50k course in the hills, it is surprisingly easy to follow with very few intersections. A full description of the route with photos can be found on the NW Ultras Blog.

On June 20th 2009. A 50K and 100K point-to-point mostly on railroad grade trails down the I-90 corridor:

Due to the tunnel closure at Snoqualmie Pass a revised 100K route will use forest roads and trails to bypass the tunnel. The race will be from Easton to Carnation.
For details, runners can download this 2009 event booklet (includes new start location).

Start Details:

People have been asking about how we're bypassing the closed Snoqualmie tunnel. This map should answer your questions. Obviously our course will be well marked on the day:

Late entry? Email

RACE IS LIMITED TO FIRST (100) PAID ENTRANTS FOR 2009. Plus you need to join www.nwultras.com running club for insurance ($5) per year. This will cover insurance for all races. No DOR entries for 2009. The Seattle Ghost Marathon races include 13.1 half, 26.2 full and 50K options. This is a fun run starting from tiny Mt Baker park near Seward Park in Seattle. Parking is limited so it is OK to walk from Seward Park or Ferdinand St nearby. Start is 8:00 am on Saturday November 28th 2009 and the aid shuts down at 2:00. Early start is OK you will take longer than 4:00. Overall winners will only be from those that start at the designated race time. more...

RACE IS LIMITED TO FIRST (50) PAID ENTRANTS FOR 2009. Plus you need to join www.nwultras.com running club for insurance ($5) per year. This will cover insurance for all races. No DOR entries for 2009.

The Birch Bay Marathon and 15.1 mile option will start at 9:00am and finish at 2:00pm on Saturday December 13th 2008 from Birch Bay State Park. The weather should be terrible so please plan accordingly! Beware of ice on the roads and drive carefully.

An 8:00 start is available for those who plan on taking 5 or more hours. It does cause us aid issues so plan on carrying your own until mobile aid finds you on the loop. more...

The Dumb Ass race is permanently cancelled. There may be a small group of people meeting on the shortest sunlight Saturday of 2009 for a fun run but there will be no official race.

On Sunday December 21st 2008 starting at 8:00am we'll have the second Winter Edition of this fun run. The Half-Ass late start will be at 9:30am for those planning to DNF (3 or less loops).
With any luck we'll have snow on the mountain or, at the very least, driving rain.

Update: By Tuesday, the snow level was down to the parking lot but the trail is still super-runnable and not slick yet. It appears that wind on the K3 ridge is continuing to blow spindrift into the trail groove which is doing wonders for downhill traction.
Glenn's "course under snow" pictures:
12/21/2008: Arthur's 2008 Dumb Ass Report
12/19/2008: Pristine Conditions
12/16/2008: Dumb Ass Loop Photos (including some course directions)
12/13/2008: Dumb Ass Loop Photos