Greetings,
1) We are very excited to celebrate the 10th Anniversary for the Capitol Peak 50 mile on April 26, 2014. As a part of this year’s celebration, all runners and volunteers will receive a special anniversary bandanna (see attached image). Thanks to my Mom for the wonderful artwork! And thanks to my Mom and Dad (Bill and Helene Pearch) for all the support in preparing and serving awesome soup over the years! And thanks to Wild Bill Graphics for all the printing of the bandannas and t-shirts. And even if you run the 55Km, you will also receive a bandanna. The 55 km started up in 2007, replacing the relay option in 2006 and 25k option in 2005.
2) As the10th Anniversary for the 50 mile, we look back at many years of success and also remember that the course changed almost every year up to 2011, which somehow we managed to keep a solid course for 3 years since then. The Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) which we receive a permit from every year, have recently notified us that the “Grunt” trail has been officially closed because of the erosion hazard. In order to avoid the Grunt, we had to change the course on how we will access the summit of Capitol Peak. We will access the official motorbike Capitol Peak trail off the C4000 road, making it a 2.7 mile loop to the Peak, instead of a 5.2 mile grunt loop. And Glenn Tachiyama will still be on the Peak to take your photograph as you summit! Thanks Glenn!
In addition, we have also been working with DNR regarding a timber sale (logging operation) in the Lost Valley area. The logging operation will not affect the course distance too much in this area, as we will be running just on the road and will be completely away from any of the logging operation. We will clearly mark the road with our usual orange spray paint and orange/yellow flagging to make sure it is clear where to go on this section and the rest of the course.
As a result of the course changes with the Grunt trail closure and logging operation reroute, we had changed the course that will allow the 55k to follow the 50 mile runners all the way to Wedekind, who will then turn to Falls Creek and the finish. Where the 50 mile runners will have a longer out and back section along the Porter trail about 8.3 miles one-way. We anticipate faster times without the Grunt trail on this new course and hope you will still enjoy yourself even with these unexpected last minute changes.
Please check out the course page for the map of the new course and some additional details: https://capitolpeakultras.com/
We've updated the course information regarding cutoff times on our course site.
See aid station planning spreadsheets for respective distance you are running:
See aid station planning spreadsheets for respective distance you are running:
3) 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 planning on taking the early start. As in previous years, our cutoffs are stringent for the 55k even at Falls Creek the first passing, since in the past we have had to have 2 sets of sweepers. By allowing the 55k runners to start the early start, it will allow more time to get to the aid station and both races to be more in sync. Please respect the cutoffs to keep our volunteers happy! So if you think it will take you longer to get to the aid stations, please consider the early start. And please no fast runners in the early start! I included the "Station Opens" column on this same site so you can judge if will be too fast (for the 1st or 2nd aid stations) to do the early start.
Also, you can also see that if you start as the 50mile and decide it’s not your day or whatever other reason you can still finish on the 55k course after Wedekind (A5) and still get a finishing time for the 55k. However, if you decide to only finish the 55k as a 50 miler starter, you will forfeit any prizes at the finish.
Also, you can also see that if you start as the 50mile and decide it’s not your day or whatever other reason you can still finish on the 55k course after Wedekind (A5) and still get a finishing time for the 55k. However, if you decide to only finish the 55k as a 50 miler starter, you will forfeit any prizes at the finish.
But there are a couple reasons to go for the 50 mile finish:
50 mile is only a part 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!)
4) 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://
5) 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. Then go check out the Arts Walk in downtown Olympia! Here is information about the Artshttp://www.thurstontalk.com/
Anyone can still sign up online until Wednesday 4/23 at 11:59pm: http://ultrasignup.com/
Or register at the packet pickup or race day registration. Everyone needs to check in on race day even if you picked up your bib number at the packet pickup.
6) If you have a friends or family that might be interested in helping at an aid station, we would greatly appreciate their help. Please email me if you have anyone interested in helping! All volunteers will earn a Capitol Peak 50 mile anniversary bandanna!
7) 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. We are very thankful to Hammer for all their generous support!
8) We also have our special Capitol Peak hand crafted mugs for our age group winners...thanks to Mug Revolution!
http://handmademugs.blogspot.
9) Thanks to all of our sponsors which include the following:
Hammer Nutrition for Heed, Gels and discount on other products,
Other sponsors have chipped in additional prizes and contributed to the post-race meal: Seven Hills Running Shop: $100 cash for men and women 50 mile winners (with other prizes in raffle), Orange Mud, Scott, South Sound Running, Route 16 Running and Walking, Patagonia, San Francisco Street Bakery, Starbucks and the Olympia Coop. Thanks also to MJR Development for their donation to FOCF!
See our sponsors with their associated website: https://capitolpeakultras.com/
Please stay after the finish and enjoy from Pearch’s finest homemade soup and cheer on everyone. The Pine Hearts bluegrass band will also be playing at the finish: https://www.facebook.
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. Once again we will be donating our proceeds to support the Friends of Capitol Forest and the South Puget Sound Mobile Search and Rescue.
Thanks for your interest in Capitol Peak!
John Pearch
RD-Capitol Peak Ultras
