2012 Capitol Peak Ultras Events!

Greetings! Registration is now available for the 2012 Capitol Peak Ultras events! If you've ran either races last year, they will be similar courses and both start at the Margarette McKenny campground in Capitol State Forest, off of Wadell Road.
However, please take note, you will need to separately purchase a Discover Pass online for parking at the start/finish area before both events. To Purchase a Discover Pass see the following website: http://discoverpass.wa.gov/

Both events benefit Friends of Capitol Forest, the South Puget Sound Mobile Search and Rescue and the Washington Trails Association!

Here's details about each event:
Saturday January 21, 2012 Capitol Peak Mega Fat Ass - start at 8:00am at Margarette McKenny campground, Capitol State Forest. 17 mile and 34 mile distances. No frills, no tshirt, no food at aid stations, no whining! BYO food and water bottle, but there will be water jugs at stations. Then also don't forget to bring something for the post-run potluck!
To register online go to: http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=14707
There is no online registration charge thanks to Ultrasignup, but please bring minimum $5 donation on the day of the run and the appropriate waivers that can be printed from the website.
For more details about the race see the website:
https://capitolpeakultras.com/Mega_Fat_Ass.html

Saturday April 28, 2012 Capitol Peak 50 mile and 55km - start at 6:30 a.m regular start (5:30am for 50 mile only) Margarette McKenny campground, Capitol State Forest.
To register online go to: http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=14719
Please take advantage of the discount price, saving $10 before January 23. Patagonia Capeline Tshirts are sold separately!

Also, if you didn't know, the Yakima Skyline 50k and 25k is planned for April 21, 2012 so Capitol Peak Ultras and Rainshadow running have teamed up efforts to encourage participation in both events. If you volunteer at either event you are guaranteed a comp entry into the other race. In other words, if you volunteer at Yakima Skyline, you can get a comp entry for Capitol Peak (tshirt not included)! Rainshadow Running also have this same offer, if you commit to volunteering at Capitol Peak, you can get a comp entry into Yakima Skyline. Please email both John capitolpeak@gmail.com and James james@rainshadowrunning.com, if interested in this offer! For more information about Capitol Peak 50 mile/55km see the website:
https://capitolpeakultras.com/cp50mile.html

Stay tuned for volunteer trail work or visit the website for updates!

See you all soon!

John Pearch
360-250-2006
capitolpeak@gmail.com

Capitol Peak 50 mile and 55k Results, Report and Thank You's

Here are the final results for the Capitol Peak 50 mile and 55km on April 30, 2011, near Olympia, Washington
https://capitolpeakultras.com/CP50M_55K__Results.html

Every year, I am amazed about how so many people come together and support Capitol Peak 50 mile and 55k. For the 7th year, this year was so much easier on me and many others, since everyone knows the routine and so many people came forth to help this year. We are so thankful to all the volunteers for coming together to support Capitol Peak. Attached is a list that expresses our thanks to all those that volunteered. Whether it was endless trail work hours, packet stuffing, course marking, packet handout, or long hours at aid stations or finish line support…it is always an extraordinary team effort to put on this race with all the fabulous volunteers. This is what drives me to get out every year. I am so thankful I can still keep involved in this sport that is close to my heart. Although, I am looking forward to getting back to my biking training for the ride of my life at Paris-Brest-Paris 1200k in France this August!!

After several years of being forced to change the course around due to logging operations, we managed work with DNR on a new course that we hope to keep. It all depends on the timber sales from year to year. These timber sales do somehow benefit funding for schools in Washington. We will work to keep this course as similar from now on, as what I heard from several runners this year, this course was one of the most interesting, with the Secondary climb up the Peak, up the Grunt! If anyone has GPS files to send with elevation profiles and distances, we would greatly appreciate your data.

The competition at Capitol Peak this year was once again packed full! There were three people who received a 5 year finisher awards. Kent Holder, the tough 70+ year-young guy that keeps coming back every year finished his 5th 50k+ Capitol Peak race (which includes the 2004 50k and the 4 other years we started doing the 55k (in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011). There were 2 other 5 year finishers who completed 5 years of the 50 miler, which include Arthur Martineau and Micheal McCarthy. Van Phan and Jeff Wright have also finished 5 years of both 50 miles and 55k combined, but they will have to come back next year to get their 5 year hoodie award! We appreciate all the support over the years!!

The top 3 in each race (listed as open) also received awards for their top performance. Kathleen Egan won the 50 mile in a time of 8:42:53, followed by Nichole Sellon and Molly Eimers. The first masters was Allison Moore.
Rod Bien set precedence on the mens field with a winning time of 9:53:40, followed by Adam Hewey and Gary Robbins. Adam Hewey also was the first masters with a time of 6:58:31. That is our fastest masters time so far, despite all the course changes every year due to logging.

The 55k was also a top notch field. Jen Segger won the 55k and came in 2nd overall with a time of 5:12:12, only 15 minutes behind the overall winner! That is our fastest womens 55k time so far, despite all the course changes every year due to logging. Wendy Wheeler-Jacobs was in 2nd and Gili Katzman was in 3rd. The 55k overall winner was Joe Creighton with a time of 4:57:37, followed by Randy Benthin in 2nd and Graham Johnson in 3rd.

Our seniors also deserve recognition for their awesome performance. Mike “Bushwacker” Burke and Rainier Schultz both finished the 50 mile in great time. Kent Holder and Will Bill Voiland (our awesome Tshirt guy) both finished the 55k in great time!


The following is our list of all the volunteer support that you can see extends beyond just the weekend of the race. It’s a full time job (and then some) to keep this race going and we couldn’t do it without all their support.
SO HERE’S TO OUR WONDEFUL VOLUNTEERS!! If I forgot anyone, thank you to everyone regardless!!

Trail Work Party on Sunday March 28, 2011
Thanks to David Mora, Jim Szumila, Seth Swanson, Henry Gertja (and son)

Trail Work Party on Sunday April 10, 2011
Thanks to Friends of Capitol Forest, David Snyder, Todd Davison, Karen Wiggins, Tracy Brown, Melissa Klungle, Dan Saul, Jim Szumila, David Mora, Herb Reeves

Trail Work Party on Saturday April 22, 2011
David Mora and Herb Reeves

Packet Stuffing Party
Heidi Perry, Bill and Helene Pearch, Kris Ryding, Jim Szumila, Jennifer Seward, Julie Kamerrer, Wayne Ballew, Dave Molenaar, Rob Dengel, Herb Reeves, Melissa Klungle (I hope I’m not forgetting someone here??)

Course Marking
Kris Ryding and Brandon Williams

Packet pickup
Kris Ryding, Karen Wiggins and Heidi Perry

Day of Race Registration
Seth Swanson, Rich White and Roger Michel (Evergreen Trail Runs),

Sweepers
Sweep behind last 50 miler: Kris Ryding from Capitol Peak to Finish
Sept behind last 55k runner: Karen Wiggins, Dave Molenaar and Rich White

Aid Station supply meister:
Herb Reeves

Aid Station radio communication
South Puget Sound Mobile Search and Rescue

Station A1/A9:
Dave Mora and SPSMSAR radio

Station A2 Falls Creek
Owen Connell, David Snyder, Michael Scholl, and other FOCF and SPSMSAR radio

Station A3/A4 Capitol Jct
Rachael Jamison, Craig Dickson and other Guerilla Runners, Laurie Rich, and John Bandur, Dave Molenaar and SPSMSAR radio

Station A5/A7 Wedekind:
Brandon Williams, Herb Reeves, Paul Heffernan, Scott Warfield , Owen Connell and SPSMSAR radio

Station A6 C2000
Bill Herzog, Tammy Herzog and Andy Fritz (Club Oly Runners) and SPSMSAR radio

Finish line
Jeff Bauknecht and Miguel Galeana (Route 16 Running and Walking), Heidi Perry and Roberta Woods and SPSMSAR radio

Post-race meal
Bill Pearch, Helene Pearch, Elizabeth Pearch, Jim Szumila

Photographers
Glenn Tachiyama and Damien Murphy

Other Thank You’s
• My wonderful parents (Bill and Helene Pearch) and sister-in-law (Elizabeth Pearch) for help organizing and purchasing all the post race meal fixings and aid station food. Every year my parents are great about helping. And it was so good to also have Elizabeth there to help. Everyone seemed to love the soup!!

• My wonderful girlfriend, Heidi Perry for being there every step of the way in the months leading up to the race. Heidi was also a huge help at the finish line in handing out the awards.

• Glenn Tachiyama for identifying the winners of the 1st to the Peak (while taking fabuolous photos on the top of Capitol Peak). To see the Glenn’s photo album please email Glenn at gjtach@gmail.com for permission to use these photos: http://www.pbase.com/gtach/cappeak11

• Damien Murphy for also showing up and taking photos throughout the course. To see the Damien’s photo album please email Damien at amien.murphy@gmail.com for permission to use these photos: http://damienm.smugmug.com/Recreation/Running/Capitol-Peak-55k50m-2011/16857095_f8gRgM#1272698281_rkhKvLQ

• Friends of Capitol Forest for going above and beyond to letting us borrow their huge event tent and other smaller tents and supplies. And also having a great Tequila Bar aid station that boosted everyone either up the Peak or onto the finishing leg. A portion of our proceeds go to benefit Friends of Capitol Forest, to help maintain our wonderful trails in Capitol State Forest.

• South Puget Sound Mobile Search and Rescue for going out of the way each year to help with radio communication at all the aid stations and parking in the early morning hours! Our other portion of proceeds go to benefit South Puget Sound Mobile Search.

• Candice Burt for cooking potatoes at the last minute Friday night.

• Roberta Woods for picking up the bakery goods from San Francisco Bakery

• Herb Reeves for announcing the race in Trail Ultra Crazy newsletter and other announcements and for organizing the Washington Ultra Series. This race is also apart of the Washington Ultras Series. Results will be updated in a couple weeks.
• Rachael Jameson and Craig Dickson (Guerilla Running) for co-sponsoring the Capitol Forest Triple Crown Trail race series and announcing about the race and also helping a great deal at Capitol Station.
• Roger Michel (Evergreen Trail Runs) helping measuring the 50 mile course
• Wild Bill Graphics for making awesome Tshirts and packet bags.
• Mug Revolution for making awesome age group hand crafted mugs.
• Brand That- for making awesome Capitol Peak pint glasses.

Thanks also to our wonderful Sponsors
• Hammer Nutrition for providing gels and fizz tablets to each runner and discount on additional products.
• Scott for donating 4 pair shoes for prizes.
• The Balanced Athlete for donating 4 pair shoes and additional running wear for prizes.
• South Sound Running donating 2 pair shoes and socks for prizes.
• Route 16 Running and Walking – donating their time and timing service at the finish.
• Patagonia – discount on clothing products for prizes.
• Ultrarunning Magazine – donating magazines for packets
• Trail Runner Magazine – Trail Runner Trophy Series magazines and 2 gift certificate for 1 year subscription. This race is also apart of the Trail Runner Magazine Trophy Series. Results will be updated in a couple weeks.
• Olympia Food Coop - $50 donation
• San Francisco Street Bakery – donation of day old bakery goods

Capitol Peak last minute updates

Greetings Capitol Peak entrants:
If you haven't gotten your mud flinging fix by now, Capitol Peak will surely take care of that! Although muddy, the trails are in good shape with minimal snow on Capitol Peak northern slopes and most of the down trees have been cleared with a few small ones remaining. We have had tremendous volunteers working hard on the Capitol Peak ridge and we thank everyone who were able to come out and help out. The following are updates or answers to questions..

1) Packet Pickup will be at South Sound Running at 3-6pm this Friday April 29, 2011. South Sound Running is located at 3409 Capitol Boulevard Olympia, WA. See the website for more details: http://www.southsoundrunning.com/contact_locations.php
If possible, please try and make the packet pickup, otherwise registration opens at 4:30am-5:45am at the start. Also, everyone must checkin at the start even if you already got your bib number at the packet pickup!
Tshirts (for those that purchased them) and bib numbers will also be given with your packets. If you cannot make the race and still want your tshirt please try and get someone to pick it up for you. Or email me to set up shipping costs and mailing. Otherwise we will sell your tshirt at the finish!

2) Camping at the start at Margaret McKenny campground is on a first come first serve basis and is free. That means, if you show up after dark, you might not find the optimum place to camp but you can still park your car and set up up your tent in some mud. There are no reservations for camping, just show up early if you are worried of pitching a tent in the mud;^). The gate will open at 12:00noon this Friday. If it's closed, it is only dumby locked and the lock just needs to be detached from the gate latch. Please respect the camp host if you do show up late!

3) We finally got a chance to finalize the course last week now that the snow has mostly melted. Thanks to Roger Michel (Evergreen Trail Runs RD) for helping measure the course! See the course page for the both 50 mile and 55k cue sheets as well as a planning spreadsheet for the 50 mile and 55k. We will also have a course profile up on the website soon. Thanks for all your patience on this information.
https://capitolpeakultras.com/Course.html
As you'll notice there is a spreadsheet for aid station planning (cutoff times, drop bags, crew access, and food/fuel). The cutoff times are based on a 13 hour total cutoff time at 7pm. So if you think it will take you longer covering an average speed of 3.8 mph (that is based on the 13 hour finishing time average speed), then you should consider the early start at 5am to get the full 14 hours! The cutoff times are needed in order to keep our wonderful aid station volunteers happy (that includes our awesome South Puget Sound Mobile Search and Rescue radio team)! The cutoff at Capitol Peak A4 station (2nd time- which is about 20 miles after the Grunt) is at 11:30am, thus if you make it there at 11:31am and your in the 50 mile, you will need to back down to the 55k. But this gives everyone a chance to still attempt to finish at the 55k distance. Please respect this cutoff times as this will help us effectively sweep the course and make certain everyone is accounted for and safe. For anyone that misses the cutoff at Capitol A4 or anyone else that wants to cut it short to the 55k, please make sure you get marked "55k" on your bib so we keep track of 55k finishers for timing at the finish line.

4) Hammer Nutrition were very generous to offer 1 Hammer Gel and 1 Hammer Fizz tab per person in your packet. Hammer Heed drink mix was also offered to enjoy at the aid station . However, we purchased additional Hammer Gels but as every year we always have so much left over and decided to purchase more sparingly this year (to also help towards donating to Friends of Capitol Forest). Please be generous and only take one Hammer gel per aid station and also pack some of your own in your drop bags. We also purchased Hammer Fizz and Hammer Endurolytes (ECaps). Regardless, you won't go hungry as we also have the usual ultra food stocked at all the aid stations. Thanks to Hammer Nutrition for all their support!

5) We thank all the volunteers and sponsors who have come forward to help. Please thank your volunteers either at aid stations or at the finish. The main groups involved as volunteers include, Friends of Capitol Forest (Falls Creek station), Guerilla Running(Capitol jct station), Olympia Trail Runners (Wedekind station), Club Oly (A6 station) and Route 16 Running and Walking (timing at finish), Evergreen Trail Runs (registration), SPSMSAR (radio communication), Kris Ryding and Karen Wiggins (packet pickup). There are also so many other ultrarunners, my immediate family and friends from all over that will be out there to help support this event. We will have pint glasses with the Capitol Peak logo to show our thanks for all your help at the race. If you know anyone interested in volunteering, please let me know. Stay tuned volunteers for more details...I will be sending an email to you all soon!

6) Awards will be presented as you finish for the following categories. Thanks to our sponsors including Scott for providing running shoes, South Sound Running, The Balanced Athlete, Patagonia, Trail Runner magazine and Mug Revolution!
Awards to the first three men and women overall and first three men and women masters (40+) overall.
Mugs Awarded to the winner of each age group: 29 and under, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & Over
“First to the Peak” Award: Runner who reaches the top of Capitol Peak first and then finishes for male and female.
Capitol Forest Triple Crown Series: The fastest cumulative time for male and female to complete the Mega Fat Ass 34/17 mi, Guerrilla Running’s Mountain Marathon 26.2/13.1 mile, and Capitol Peak 50mi/55k. Winners will be rewarded of each long and short races divisions.
Middle of the Pack - male and female runner of the 50 mile and 55km
7) Post race meal will be served as you finish for all runners, volunteers and crew. Thanks in advance to my parents who will be cooking the awesome soup. Also special thanks to San Francisco Street Bakery and Olympia Food Coop for all the generous food donations!

Thanks to everyone for signing up and supporting Friends of Capitol Forest and South Puget Sound Mobile Search and Rescue! Please let me know if you have any other questions.

See you all at 5:45am this Saturday at the race briefing!

John Pearch
RD- Capitol Peak Ultras
360-250-2006
capitolpeak@gmail.com

Capitol Peak 50m/55k update

Greetings Capitol Peak entrants,

Thank you for registering for Capitol Peak 50 mile and 55km near Olympia, WA on April 30, 2011. We appreciate your support in the 7th annual race and also help support Friends of Capitol Forest. We have a few announcements:
1) STILL SPOTS LEFT! There is still plenty of spots available in the 50 mile and 55km. If you know anyone who wants to run, they can still sign up online or mail-in and save. There is also day of race registration but we encourage to sign up early!
We have special hand crafted mugs for age group awards thanks to Mug Revolution as well as many other great prizes and raffles thanks to our fabulous sponsors from Scott, Hammer Nutrition, South Sound Running, The Balanced Athlete, Guerilla Running and many more!
To signup online go to: http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=11446

2) WANT TO ORDER MORE T-SHIRTS? At 12:00 am, April 4, 2011, the registration fee goes up $10 and also the poly-technical t-shirt orders need to be placed by then. If you already registered, but want to purchase additional t-shirts, please order online at the link below, before April 4. Thanks to UltraSignUp (Mark Gilligan) for giving this extra "shopping" option to place additional t-shirt orders. There are also nice UltraSignUp visors you can purchase at this site.
There are no refunds for race registration or t-shirts after April 4, 2011. T-shirts must be picked up at the race or packet pickup. However, if you can not make the race, please try and get someone pick it up for you or email me so I know to hold your t-shirt.
To purchase additional t-shirts with multiple sizes click on this link:
http://ultrasignup.com/shopping.aspx?did=11445

3) COME HELP VOLUNTEER! We are also offering a special pint glass with the Capitol Peak logo, to anyone who volunteers for trail work in Capitol Forest and/or at the Capitol Peak event on April 30, 2011. Please pass this message onto anyone interested in volunteering at the race on April 30th. Every time you come to trail work in Capitol Forest also gives you an an extra raffle ticket to win prizes at the post-race raffle following Capitol Peak 50/55km.
If you are interested in trail work in Capitol Forest, please come out at one of the scheduled trail work parties: https://capitolpeakultras.com/Trail_Work.html

Thanks for your interest in Capitol Peak Ultras! Stay tuned for more updates. See the websites below for more details on the new start, new course and free camping at the start.

John Pearch
RD-Capitol Peak Ultras
More Info on Capitol Peak 50 mile and 55km see: https://capitolpeakultras.com/Race_Info.html
Email: capitolpeak@gmail.com

10th Annual Mega Fat Ass

Results are posted on the website. Please let me know if there are any changes needed.
https://www.capitolpeakultras.com/Mega_Fat_Ass.html

There is never a dull moment at the Mega Fat Ass, with adverse weather and a tough course to contend with. The question came up why "Mega"? The prefix "Mega" came to mind when I originally created the MFA back in 2002 (10 years ago), thinking it was 10,000 ft of climbing (where probably only 6,000 ft) in somewhere "significantly" greater than 50k, I think only 2 finished the full Mega and the remaining half dozen starters finished the half Mega. But the second year came (in 2003) and we had almost 100 runners total, that made "Mega" have more meanings, such as more food support at the finish and more ways of getting donations to charities. And why still call it a "fat ass"...quick answer>> no awards, no frills, no tshirts, no sponsors, no aid station food, low costs that pays for the bare minimum and of course no whining! This year we managed to define "Mega" once again by having another tough course in the rainiest conditions ever. Thanks to all your additional donations, we were able to raise $500 to Friends of Capitol Forest. We are so pleased to have had so much support over the years, thanks to Friends of Capitol Forest and South Puget Sound Mobile Search and Rescue for giving so much support!

This year, both courses were most likely longer than advertised, since we had to change it to Margaret McKenny campground but still keep the similar course that is planned for the 55K in April (that is still planned to start at Mima Falls). We realize the courses were long, but for this report, I will still refer to as the 17 and 34 miler. This year, we had a record braking runner participants of 150, between both races. The 17 mile had 101 finish out of 103 starters and the 34 mile had 43 finish out of 47 starters. John Bandur celebrated his 73rd birthday in the 17 mile and still managed to place 2nd Senior (60+) following Colvin Holm who was first senior.

There was some confusion about where the turnaround was for the 17 miler. This caused the leaders in the 17 milers to continue up the 34 mile course. But that didn't fool Linda Huyck who ended up leading the entire race back to only 100 yards from the finish. Brian Rakestraw heard the cow bells ringing and out-sprinted Linda to the finish but Linda's perseverance in leading the race and finishing 2nd overall deserves huge recognition. Other top runners include finishing 3rd Nick Triolo and 4th Don Wesley. The top women include Bonnie McReynolds for 2nd woman and Merita Trohimovich for 3rd woman.

The 34 mile finish was also exciting and deserve huge respect for surviving a much longer course than expected and much greater rainfall then this Mega Fat Ass has ever seen. The rain didn't start until after everyone had reached Capitol Peak, making it a long haul back to the finish. Mike Burke was the only senior to finish the 34 mile and still placed 16th overall! Yassine Diboun managed to finish 1st and got revenge on the Mega Fat Ass course from last year by running without getting lost! Yassine was followed by Justin Angle in 2nd and Seth Swanson who finished in a very respectable 3rd for his first ultra. The top women finishing in 1st was Shawna Tompkins, followed by Shawn McTaggart in 2nd and Candice Burt in 3rd.

Thanks to all the volunteers for the support out there! Here is a list of people that deserve our gratitude. There are many more people that might have chipped in that I was not aware of or can't remember and we thank for everyone's help. We couldn't do it without all our wonderful Volunteers!
South Sound Mobile Search and Rescue (stationed at the 3 checkpoints and finish)
Furnishing huge finishing tent and constant support throughout race day: David Snyder (founder of Friends of Capitol Forest)
Pre-race setup: Friends of Capitol Forest and Brent Warner
Registration: Roger Michel and Kris Ryding
Sweepers: Herb Reeves and Kris Ryding
Timers: Tony Seabolt (Narrows Bridge Running Club), Sean Sexton, and Brent Warner
Capitol Peak Station: Glenn Rogers and his son
Post-race food prep: my wonderful Mom and Dad (Bill and Helene Pearch), Jim Szmulia, Roberta Wood, Alexa Martin and most likely many more.
Course Marking: Olympia Trail Runners including Herb Reeves, Kris Ryding, Heidi Perry, Kelly, Dan Stacey, Dave Molenaar and many more that can't remember.
Thanks also to Route 16 Running and Walking for letting us borrow their clock for timing at the finish.
Thanks also to Tony Seabolt and Michael Scholl for all the wonderful photos! Tony's photos can be found at: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=191656887514236&set=a.191587757521149.49768.100000097798129
Thanks also to Michael Scholl's wonderful photography! Check out the Picaso site for Mikes photos.
Thanks also to UltraSignup and Mark Gilligan for allowing for free online registration, this helps tremendously organize our registration and results.

Also thanks to a few volunteers including Heidi Perry, David Mora and Jim Szumila
who helped at the trail work party on January 9, i.e., making water bars function better on race day!

We look forward in seeing you again soon at the Capitol Peak 50 mile and 55km Ultramarathons on Saturday April 30, 2011. Online registration is available at: https://www.capitolpeakultras.com/cp50mile.html

The Mega Fat Ass is apart of the Capitol Forest Triple Crown Series. Stay Tuned for results of the series: https://www.capitolpeakultras.com/Cap_Forest_Triple_Crown.html
Next race up is the Mountain Marathon and Hilly Billy 1/2 (hosted by Guerilla Running)

See you on the trails!

John Pearch
RD-Capitol Peak Ultras
https://www.capitolpeakultras.com

Mega Fat Ass update 1/12/11

Are you ready for a mudfest, or what? This Saturday will definitely be a fun time in the mud, and most likely snow on the Peak. I can't tell you for sure what the trail conditions are like yet. But I will know more comes Friday after we mark the course. Here are a few tips to keep in mind for this weekends Mega Fat Ass Run.

Thank you for registering for the Capitol Peak Mega Fat Ass on Saturday January 15, 2011. Reminder that the start is at 8:00 am at the Margaret McKenny Campground on the Southeast end of Capitol State Forest. PLEASE ARRIVE BY 7:30 a.m. to allow enough time to park and register. Driving directions can be found at:
https://capitolpeakultras.com/MFA_Driving_Directions.html (those from Olympia might know the back roads to get to the start, but this is the directions closest to I-5)
Carpool if possible, parking is limited at the start!!

Please take note of the following:
1) Even though you have registered online, we will still need you to sign a waiver for the Washington St Dept of Natural Resources (DNR). This is a new requirement from DNR that everyone must sign, that is separate waiver from what you already checked online (see your email confirmation or click here for the waiver). For those under 18 please click this waiver for minors for parents or legal guardian to sign. There will also be a DNR waiver for you if you forget to bring it. Thank you for your patience when registering Saturday morning!

2) Please bring a minimum $5 and a roll of toilet paper. The $5 helps cover our insurance for the run that is required for our DNR permit. The roll of TP is to support DNR's needs during these hard budget times for restocking our use of TP for the event at Margaret McKenny and around Capitol State Forest. Please also make sure the registration volunteers know you are running. There is also a chance to donate at registration to Friends of Capitol Forest for all their continued trail work support in Capitol Forest.

3) The course is an out and back mostly on the Green line #6 trail with a small section on the Wadell Loop trail near the start. It will be marked with candy cane (red and white) flagging and some signs on trail at all trail junctions. Please take a look at the map and print if you want to have it on race day. We will NOT have any copies at the start:
https://capitolpeakultras.com/uploads/CPFatAssmap2011new.pdf
However, please be ready for a course change comes race day. There is a 4 mile loop up on Capitol Peak this year (that includes the infamous grunt trail), but we are not sure if this will be runnable yet. I will announce if there are any course changes before the start on Saturday, based on our course marking on Friday.

4) Bring your own food and water bottles!!! There will be a drop bags that you can stash food and other gear in a bag (clearly labeled with your first and last name) which will be taken to the Falls Ck station (at 8.5 miles turnaround). If you're only doing the 17 miler, we encourage you to NOT put any valuable gear in this bag. The drop bags may not get back to the finish until AFTER 3:00 pm!! For 34 milers, the drop bag will also be there on your return so you could have some warmer cloths stashed and maybe some hand warmers for later up on the Peak. If we end up running the planned route, the return to Falls is about 25 mile, so in other words carry enough food to go 16 miles! And remember there is NO FOOD provided at Falls. There will be water at Falls and up on the Capitol Peak but don't expect a cup...bring your own bottle! And PLEASE pickup any trash you might accidentally drop or find along the trail.

5) Please bring food to share at the finish! There will be a bonfire and a stove to heat up soup or whatever else you want hot at the finish. We will provide Ramon noodles and hot coco but bring other goodies to share.

6) Camping is allowed at the Margaret McKinney campground. However, please park in designed camping areas and don't block the main road. There will be several of us camping there Friday night, but if you get there later on, the gate might be closed but won't be locked (dumby locked). Just please close the gate behind you after passing through the gate.

7) To make it worth your while to go the distance, there will be specific colored rubberband to pickup that show what distance you ran, either the 17 mile turnaround at Falls Creek or up at the Capitol Peak Towers (after the steep grunt climb 2nd climb up Capitol Peak). You can then show off to everyone at the post-run party your rubberband. Since this is a fat ass, timing is based on the honor system, so you will be responsible in writing down your time at the finish.

Reminder: If you are interested in also running the Capitol Peak 50 mile and 55Km on
April 30, 2011, save $10 and signup by 12:00 Midnight Sunday January 16, 2011. Here is the website: https://capitolpeakultras.com/cp50mile.html

This is our 10th year annual Mega Fat Ass and we thank everyone for your generosity in donating to Friends of Capitol Forest and coming to run in Capitol Forest. We also appreciate all the support from the Washington St Dept of Natural Resources (DNR) and all the volunteers, especially South Puget Sound Mobile Search and Rescue and Friends of Capitol Forest. We could NOT put this fun run on without all their support!

See you on the trails this Saturday!

John Pearch -RD Capitol Peak Ultras
www.capitolpeakultras.com