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