Thursday, March 28, 2013

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