2013 Capitol Peak 50 mile and 55km a huge success and thank you's!

Thank you everyone for participating and especially to all of our wonderful volunteers in this years Capitol Peak 50 mile and 55km. We couldn't do it without all of a volunteers, especially to the Friends of Capitol Forest (FOCF) and the South Puget Sound Mobile Search and Rescue (SPSMSAR)!! We are once again proud to donate our proceeds to FOCF for all the generous support on the trails in Capitol Forest and for their continued support at the race at Falls "Tequila Bar" Creek.  And to SPSMSAR for their continued support in radio communication at the race and for acting as the leading SAR team throughout Capitol Forest. 

As many of you are aware the 50 mile and 55k course was the same course for the past 3 years.  This year the weather was also very cooperative with stellar views of Mt Rainier, St Helens and the Olympics!   Here is a race recap.

The 50 mile course was fast and furious with many impressive finishes! 

• 87 finished the 50 mile
• The 50 mile had 2 senior finishers including: John Zeier and Mike Kuhlmann
• 5 year finishers for the 50 mile include: Thomas Riley and Glenn Mangiantini
• The women's 50 mile race was amazing! Darla Askew set a new course record of 7:45:58, winning by over an hour!  Genia Kacey took second with a time of 8:45.   Wendy Wheeler-Jacobs placed 3rd women (9:19). 
• The men's 50 mile race was also impressive. Zach Gingerich won with a time of 6:58:48.  Zach took the lead in the last 6 miles of the race.  Brandon Sullivan placed 2nd (7:01) followed by Aaron Ray for 3rd (7:16).  

The 55k also had impressive finishes...

• 51 finished the 55Km.
• The 55k had 6 senior finishers including: Wild Bill Voiland (our T-shirt guru!) and Clem Lacava
• The 5 year finisher for the 55k goes to Juan Dominguez   
• Benoit Gignac from Vancouver, BC won by over 30 minutes with a time of 4:25:01! Followed by Phil Kochik for 2nd (4:57) and Patrick Johnson for 3rd (4:59)
• Krystal Seger won for the women with a time of (5:44:21) and 2nd was Shamai Larsen (5:56) and third was Iris Priebe (6:35). 

We are indebted to many volunteers who also came forward to participate in this years 50 mile and 55km. 

Those that came to aid in trail work efforts in February, March and April include:

Rob Dengel, Jen Edwards, Melissa and Matt Klungle, Dave Molenaar, David Mora, John Pearch, Heidi Perry, Herb Reeves, Jim Szumila, Brandon Williams, and the Friends of Capitol Forest.  All made a huge effort in getting the trails cleared this year in Capitol Forest! 

Several people made several "double dipping" efforts to help make Capitol Peak a great race!  Thanks go out to the all the volunteers for all their huge support (please forgive me if I don't have everyone):

• Course Markers: Jen Edwards, Patrick Johnson, David Mora, Dave Molenaar and other Olympia Trail Runners
• Thursday Packet stuffing party: Heidi Perry, Herb Reeves, David Mora, Dave Molenaar, Kris Ryding, Rob Dengel, Ulrike Krotscheck, Jim Holbrooks, Melissa and Matt Klungle and Julie Kamerrer
• Soup Prep: Bill and Helene Pearch (my wonderful parents!)
• Packet Pickup at South Sound Running:  Heidi Perry, Kris Ryding, Karen and George Wiggins, Jen Edwards
• Thanks also to South Sound Running for letting us once again use their store as a packet pickup location!
• David Snyder and FOCF for setting up their event tent on Friday
• Aid Station supplier, driving and setting up aid stations: Kent Holder and Kris Ryding
• Race Day Registration: Roger Michel, Rob Dengel and Julie Kamerrer 
• Post race meal:  my parents wonderful parents Bill and Helen Pearch, Heidi Perry and Jim Szumila
• Photographer: Glenn Tachiyama on Capitol Peak summit
• Aid Station A1/A9: David Mora, Holly Knowles,  Kathleen Krouse and  SPSMSAR
• Aid Station A2/A8: Eric Klunder, Josh Morse and FOCF and  SPSMSAR
• Aid Station A3/A4: Melissa and Matt Klungle, Ulrike and Jim, Anne Larsen and  SPSMSAR
• Aid Station A5/A7:  Rick Blacker, Olga Nevtrinos, Nicolay Anikevich, Marge Kohm, Michelle Roose and  SPSMSAR
• Aid Station A6 turnaround: Kris Ryding, Tho Le  and Laurie Rich and  SPSMSAR
• Sweepers: Dave Molenaar (1st 30), Kris Ryding (last 20 miles), Brandon Williams (Capitol Peak to Falls)
• Finish line Timing: Tony Seabolt, David Mora, Greg Bargmann and Allen Skytta  
• Thanks also to Route 16 for letting us borrow their clock and other gear for timing.
• Thanks also to Ultra Signup and Mark Gilligan for providing their excellent timing system!

Thanks also to all of our sponsors who provided merchandise and goods for either our awards or food/drinks:

• Hammer Nutrition
• Scott Sports
• Patagonia
• South Sound Running
• Route 16 Running and Walking
• Seven Hills Running Shop
• The Balanced Athlete
• Ultra Signup
• Ultrarunning Magazine
• Trail Runner Magazine and the Trail Runner Trophy Series
• Roger Michel and Evergreen Trail Running
• San Francisco Street Bakery
• Pat Ackley and Starbucks 
• Olympia Food Coop
• Wild Bill Graphics (for printing the tshirts)
• Mug Revolution (hand crafted age group mugs)

Thanks also to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources for continued support and permitting this event! 

And to USATF for sanctioning this event!

Results, Photos and stories about the race can be found here:

https://capitolpeakultras.com/cp50mile.html

Please let me know if you would like to add your blog with any stories about your experience at Capitol Peak!

If you would like to purchase a high resolution photograph, please see Glenn Tachiyamas photos:

http://smu.gs/10lFwOy

Thanks for your support in making Capitol Peak another successful race! See you all next year for the 10th Anniversary!!

John Pearch

RD- Capitol Peak Ultras

2013 Capitol Peak update

Greetings!  

Here are a few things to know for Capitol Peak on April 27! 

1) Everyone needs to have a Discover Pass to park your car during the race or camp the night before.  Please purchase a Discover Pass before you try and drive up to the start. http://discoverpass.wa.gov/  They DO NOT have a place to pay at the campground and we won't have extra to purchase.

2) If you plan spending the night in a hotel in Olympia, you might want to book now. Olympia's Arts festival and Procession of the Species is happening on Friday and Saturday.  Check out some hotels on the event website: https://capitolpeakultras.com/Race_Info.html  We also recommend a hotel either in Tumwater or West Olympia!  Or camping is free at Margarette McKenny campground (first come first serve basis- no reservations but a Discover Pass is required to park for camping and all day at the race on April 27.  Please make sure you purchase a Discover Pass online. 

3) You should consider coming to Olympia earlier, pickup your packet at South Sound Running between 3-6pm .   South Sound Running is located at 3409 Capitol Blvd in Olympia.  http://www.southsoundrunning.com/

Then go check out the Arts Walk in downtown Olympia! Here is information about the Arts Walk: http://olympiawa.gov/city-services/parks/community-events/artswalk

4) If you already registered but still want to order a Patagonia tshirt you may order on Ultrasignup at http://ultrasignup.com/shopping.aspx?did=18071 before 12:00 midnight April 1, 2013!  

These Patagonia tshirts are women and men sized! Tshirts not available after April 1st! 

Also, please spread the word for anyone that hasn't registered for Capitol Peak and want to save $$ and want a tshirt!  Registration IS STILL available after April 1, just no tshirts.
http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=18071 

5) We've updated the course information regarding cutoff times on our course site:
https://capitolpeakultras.com/Course.html (see aid station planning for respective distance you are running).
Regular start is at 6:30am.  However, we are also allowing both 50M and 55k runners to take the early start at 5:30 am.  Please email me if you are taking the early start.  See the Aid Station spreadsheet with cutoffs at respective stations.
The plan is to run the same course as last year, but pending trail conditions on race day. 

Capitol Peak also provides a chance for everyone to finish! If you start as the 50mile and decide its not your day or whatever other reason, you can still finish on the 55k course after A4 and still get a finishing time for the 55k (but not eligible for 55k awards).
But there are a couple reasons to go for the 50 mile finish:
50 mile is only apart of the Washington Ultra Series! The 55k is not.

And the 50 mile you can only earn the First to the Peak award (1st men and women each who reach the summit of Capitol Peak and then still finishes all 50 miles!)

6) NEW for 2013!! Capitol State Forest has a new map! You can download the map on your iPhone or Smart phone from the following link: http://washingtondnr.wordpress.com/2013/03/05/top-5-reasons-to-download-the-new-capitol-state-forest-map-onto-your-smartphone/

Or purchase a hard copy map at the following link:
http://washingtondnr.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/new-capitol-state-forest-map-is-hot-off-the-presses/ (we may have some on race day to purchase for cheaper price if interested)
Note: Trail names have changed on the map and in the forest, but when in doubt just follow the yellow/red flagging or other course marking to follow the course. 

7) As of right now there is virtually no snow in Capitol Forest.  If you are in the area and want to come join the Olympia Trail Runners for a run and some trail work, it would be great opportunity to get some idea about the race course and give back to the trails.  You can also earn a Capitol Peak pint glass for your help!

Here are a few trail work opportunities:

Saturday April 13 Great Gravel Pack-in- a trail work day working together with runners, hikers, backcountry horsemen, mountain bikers and motorbikers and other recreation users of Capitol Forest. Meeting place is at the Margarette McKenny campground at 9am.  We will run on portions of the Capitol Peak 50 mile course after working on trails.

Sun April 14 8:00am Meet at West Olympia Top Foods/Starbucks for trail work and more  trail run. We realize that some might be running other races that weekend but thought we'd have both days open to anyone interested since we will be going out anyways that weekend to catch up on trail work and trail runs. Please email me if interested in one of these days and I will let you know more details.

If interested, you can join the Oly Trail Runners facebook page and find out other trail runs in Capitol Forest! https://www.facebook.com/groups/207133992724092/

8) If you have a friend or family that might be interested in helping at an aid station, we would greatly appreciate their help.  Please email me if you have any interest in helping!  All volunteers will earn a Capitol Peak pint glass for their help!

9) Hammer is proudly sponsoring Capitol Peak Ultras again this year.  Aid stations will be stocked with Gels, HEED, and E-Caps, and Fizz electrolyte supplements. 

10) We also have our special Capitol Peak hand crafted mugs for our age group winners...thanks to Mug Revolution!
http://handmademugs.blogspot.com/2012/03/test.html

Good luck in your training!  Please let me know if you have any questions about your training or other details about Capitol Peak Ultramarathon!

Thanks to all our sponsors, volunteers and Friends of Capitol Forest who helped make this event a success over the years. Friends of Capitol Forest will again be there to help provide the large event tent and also will be working the Falls Creek Aid Station and if you dare, with Tequila!

Thanks for your interest in Capitol Peak!

John Pearch

RD-Capitol Peak Ultras

capitolpeak@gmail.com

2013 Capitol Peak Mega Fat Ass ready to go!

Greetings!

We are very excited that the Mega Fat Ass is all ready to go this Saturday January 19, 2013.  We were successful in marking the course this past Saturday.  The 17 mile course is completely snow free so far.  However, the 34 mile course has about a foot and a half of snow that is all above 1800 feet.  The snow this past weekend was frozen which if the weather holds like it has been should be ok to run over.  For those planning to run the 34 mile, come prepared with yak tracks and running gaiters and other cold weather gear.  The weather forecast calls for sunny and clear and in the low 40s next Saturday. But you never know what might change, so be prepared for the worst!  It is a relief that we don't have a forecast like we did last year!!

Here are a few things to prepare for this weekends race.

If you haven't already done so...take the time to go online and purchase a discover pass. This may be for the person's car (with individual license plate) you may be carpooling with..HINT HINT!!  The Discover Pass is NOT covered in the entry for the Mega Fat Ass or the Capitol Peak 50 mile/55k in April, so if you are planning to run either of these races or any other races that are on Washington state land (including WA state parks), you might as well purchase an Annual Pass.

http://discoverpass.wa.gov/ 

See the Discover Pass website FAQ site that will help answer any questions you may have. http://discoverpass.wa.gov/faq/

Also, we have decided to preserve the same course as last April's 55k for this years Mega Fat Ass 34 mile and 17 mile. However, there are new trail names that DNR have been out updating in the forest to reflect the new map, which is still in the works of being published.  Some of the trail names on this map have been changed throughout Capitol State Forest, to reflect the new (not yet

published) DNR Capitol Forest Map. When in doubt, follow the red/yellow flagging or orange spray paint arrows to follow the Fat Ass course.  https://www.capitolpeakultras.com/uploads/CPFatAssmap2013.pdf

Please thank the South Puget Sound Mobile Search and Rescue (SPSMSAR) for their continued support for Capitol Peak Ultras events! SSMSAR will be stationed at all the 3 checkpoints with water, but with no food...remember this is a fat ass so bring your own food.  If you have a drop bag, we will have your drop bags taken to the Falls Creek station but not the other stations...so plan accordingly!  Please clearly mark your name on your bag, otherwise you may not see it again. 

For those running the 34 mile only, you can start at early (preferably 7am "on the nose" prior to the regular start) but please let us know you are starting early and remember there is no guarantee you will see your drop bag when you get to Falls Creek the first time.

Post-race potluck: please bring a can of chicken noodle soup or butternut squash soup (if vegetarian).  We will cook it all together and be hot and ready at the finish.  If you forget soup, we will also have Ramon noodles, hot coco and coffee also.

We have also received permission from DNR to use the new camp host shelter at Margaret McKenny campground for our finish post-race party.  This camp shelter was built and funded from a joint effort of volunteers and DNR, which Capitol Peak Ultras supported the cause. 

Camping will also be available for anyone wanting to stay Friday night January 18. Please make sure you have a Discover Pass. If the gate is closed, it will only be latched and not locked. Please relatch the gate after you enter the campground Friday night. Please park in designed parking or campground but not immediately next to the finish line shelter. There will not be camping available Saturday night, since this event is specially permitted for Friday night and Saturday only.

Also, we will also be giving out bib numbers before the start.  Even if you already registered, please come early  (prior to 7:30am) and you will receive a bib number upon a receiving your signed DNR waiver.  If you haven't signed up yet, online registration will be available  until Thursday 1/17/13 at 11:59pm at the following link: http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=18068

Or if anyone misses the online registration, there will be day of race registration available.

Additional donations to Friends of Capitol Forest will also be much appreciate...FOCF are the ones who help built the new shelter at Margaret McKenny campground and have worked hard on many hundreds of hours each year on trail projects in Capitol Forest!  They will also be out at Falls Creek to cheer you all on!

See you all soon this Saturday!

Thanks for all your continued support!

John Pearch

capitolpeak@gmail.com

360-250-2006

https://capitolpeakultras.com/Mega_Fat_Ass.html