Seattle, WA
 

RACE INFORMATION

RESULTS ARE IN  |  HIGHLIGHTS  |  ORDER ATHLETE PHOTOS HERE* | TAKE THE SURVEY

(*Professional photos from this event are available for sale exclusively from Burke T. Hovde Productions. These photos are different from those available on the The North Face® Endurance Challenge Highlights page.)


Race Date | Start Times | Cutoff Times | Start/Finish Location | Finish Line Festival | Packet Pickup | Timing with ChampionChip® | Rules | Crew/Handler and Pacing Instructions | Headlamps | Environment First | Gear Bag Drop | Parking & Shuttle Info | Medical Info |

Welcome to where the Cascade Mountains crash into the sea. This event’s technical course meanders its way amongst rock-climbing areas and bat caves, punctuated by what the course designer describes as "insane views of Mt. Baker" and the North Cascades to the east. The views of the San Juan Islands to the west, Canadian Rockies to the north, plus the vast Skagit Valley to the south are not half bad, either. Elevations bounce between 200 and 2,500 feet, but do not include any huge, sustained climbs. Rather, the course is always heading up or down. Traverses of broken ridgeline require nimble feet while highly technical sections demand mountain goat skills (there will be two roped sections to aid in a climb). Overall, an impressive trail-running test that delivers a balance of fire roads, single track, and double track.

Ratings:

Elevation Change:

Technical Terrain:

Overall Difficulty:

Scenery:


Race Date

Saturday, May 10, 2008


Start Times

50 Mile: 5:00 a.m.
Accelerade 50K: 7:00 a.m.
Half Marathon: 9:00 a.m.
10K: 9:15 a.m.
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Finish Cutoff Times

50 Mile: 6:00 p.m. (13 hours)
Accelerade 50K: 4:00 p.m. (9 hours)
Half Marathon: 1:00 p.m. (4 hours)
10K: 11:15 a.m. (2 hours)
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50 Mile On-Course Cutoff Times

It is essential that participants select the appropriate race distance, based on their preparation and experience. The 50 Mile course is not walker friendly. For their safety and the safety of others, runners not reaching the designated cut-off points by the designated times will be removed from the course. Continuation on the course will be unofficial and at the risk of participants.

Aid Station 6, at mile 25.2, will serve as the first of two hard cut-off points. Runners must reach this point 6 hours and 35 minutes after the start of the race.

Aid Station 9, at mile 37, will serve as the second of two hard cut-off points. Runners must reach this point 9 hours and 40 minutes after the start of the race.
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Start/Finish Location

Camp Lutherwood
1185 Roy Road
Bellingham, WA 98229
Click here, for park information and driving directions.
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Awards & Medals / Age Groups

Custom finisher medals will be given to each Accelerade 50K and 50 Mile participant when they complete their event. You must pick up your medal at the Finish Line. Medals will NOT be shipped.

Prizes will be given to the top three male and female overall finishers in all races.

In the 50 Mile race only, cash prizes will be given to the top three male and female finishers in the following manner:

1st place male $1,000           1st place female $1,000
2nd place male $600             2nd place female $600
3rd place male $350              3rd place female $350


In addition to the $1,000 prize, the overall 1st place male and female finishers in the 50 Mile race will receive round-trip airfare, a two (2) night hotel stay and a complimentary entry into the Endurance Challenge Championship in San Francisco, CA, on December 6, 2008.

At the Endurance Challenge Championship, the 1st place male and female finishers in the 50 Mile race will receive the largest single prize in trail ultra running: $10,000 each and will be crowned champions of the 2008 The North Face Endurance Challenge. Second place male and female finishers will receive $4,000 each and third place male and female finishers will receive $1,000 each.

Age Groups
Prizes will also be given to the top three male and female finishers in each of the following age groups in all races:

20 and under      21-29      30-39      40-49      50-59      60+

Age group prizes will be comprised of The North Face and sponsor products.

Finish Line Festival

Finish Line Festival Schedule:
9:00 a.m.       Finish Line Festival Start
11:00 a.m.     Food and Beverage Service
11:30 a.m.     Awards Ceremony: 10K
12:30 p.m.     Awards Ceremony: Half Marathon
2:00 p.m.       Awards Ceremony: Accelerade 50K
3:00 p.m.       Awards Ceremony: 50 Mile
6:00 p.m.       Finish Line Festival Ends
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Packet Pickup

Runners must choose one of the following options for obtaining their race packet and race number:

Option 1: Participants may pick up their race bag and race number at the designated REI store prior to the race. You must show a government-issued photo I.D. to pick up your race number. Timing chip must be picked before the race on Saturday morning at the chip timing booth.

Location:
REI
400 36th St
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 647-8955

Dates/Hours:
Thursday, May 8, 2008 (10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.)
Friday, May 9, 2008 (10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)

Race numbers will only be given to family, friends or anyone else other than the participant with a photocopy of the participant’s government-issued photo I.D. No exceptions will be made.

Option 2: Participants may pick up their race bag on race day. Race bags will be available post-race for those participants choosing this option, while race numbers and timing chips must be picked up before the race on Saturday morning at the runner check-in and chip timing booth.

If option 2 is chosen, please do not forget to pick up your race bag after you finish. Race bags will not be shipped.



Timing with ChampionChip®

The North Face Endurance Challenge utilizes the computerized ChampionChip® timing system, which records each runner's actual running time to the second. Chip timing starts a runner's time when they reach the starting line instead of when the gun goes off. Your finish time is calculated precisely when you cross the Finish Line.

To pick up your black loaner chip, you must present your bib number at the designated ChampionChip® booth Saturday morning. You may also use your own ChampionChip as long as you include the code on your registration application. You must, however, bring your personalized yellow chip to the ChampionChip® booth race morning to be scanned along with your bib number.

All black loaner chips must be surrendered at the Finish Line. Failure to do so will result in a $50 replacement fee.

Please do not forget to wear your computer chip. If you do not wear your computer chip, you will not be timed and will not receive a finisher's medal or be eligible for awards.

Please see below for runner check-in schedule at the ChampionChip® booth:

  • 4:00-4:45 a.m.       50 Mile
  • 5:30-6:45 a.m.       Accelerade 50K
  • 7:00-8:45 a.m.       Half Marathon
  • 7:00-9:00 a.m.       10K
Chips not returned at finish may be mailed to the following address:

Sports Stats
190 Colonade Rd, Unit #6
Ottawa, ON K2E 7J5
CANADA
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Rules

Race Officials have the right to remove any runner from the course deemed necessary for their safety and the safety of all others.

All participants/attendees/pacers/crews must adhere to the following rules:
  • Numbers must be visible on the outside and front of runners’ clothing.
  • Any runner dropping out of the race must notify a volunteer at a staffed Aid Station and MUST check in with the Race Director at the Start/Finish area. The athlete will be responsible for paying a large bill if a Search & Rescue team is sent out on their behalf.
  • All runners: It is your responsibility to check in at each Aid Station.
  • Absolutely no littering. If you or your pacer abandon anything (e.g., drink cups, gel packets, banana peels, clothes, etc.) on the race course, you will be disqualified and prohibited from entering any future Endurance Challenge events. Bury human waste at least six inches deep, 200 feet from water sources and 50 feet from any trail. Recycle bins, trash cans and bathrooms are readily available and accessible throughout the course.
  • No weapons, personal alcohol, glass bottles, smoking, illegal drugs, or pets will be permitted on the premises.
  • For your safety and the safety of other runners, if you miss a cutoff, you must notify a volunteer at a staffed Aid Station and you MUST check in with the Race Director at the Start/Finish area.
  • Only attempt to pass another runner when it is safe for both you and the other runner to do so.
  • When passing another runner, do so to their left, unless it is unsafe, and announce your intention to pass by saying, “passing on your left” (or right, if it is unsafe to pass on their left).
  • Provided it is safe to do so, you must yield to any runner who announces his/her intention to pass, by stepping off the trail.
  • Be prepared to share the trail with runners coming from the opposite direction.
  • Violating any of these rules will result in runner disqualification.


Crew/Handler and Pacing Instructions

  • Designated Aid Stations for crews and pacers: Please see Aid Station section.
  • Crews must administer support only at designated Aid Stations (see Aid Station section for complete list).
  • Crews must check in at designated Aid Station and follow the direction given by Aid Station staff on where to set up and assist their runners.
  • Pacers are not allowed on the course prior to mile 27 (thus, no pacers in 10K or Half Marathon races).
  • Pacers cannot meet runners at locations other than those designated (see the Aid Station section).
  • Pacers must check in and sign a release waiver at designated Aid Stations when joining their runner.
  • Pacers must wear a bib number provided by Aid Station staff.
  • Pacer numbers must be visible on the outside and front of clothing.
  • Runners can be accompanied by only one (1) pacer at a time.
  • No pacers are allowed on-course prior to the first Aid Station designated for meeting runners.
  • No "muling" (pacers carrying runner's gear or nutrition/fluids).
  • No vehicular or bike pacing allowed.
  • When leaving their runners, pacers are required to check in at an Aid Station (see Aid Station chart) before leaving the course. Failure to check in will result in automatic disqualification of their runner.
  • Violating any of these rules will result in runner disqualification.
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Headlamps

For safety reasons, all 50 Mile competitors are required to have operating headlamps at the start of the race and have in their possession until one (1) hour past sunrise, approximately 6:30 a.m. Failure to comply will result in disqualification.
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Environment First

As part of its commitment to community and conservation, The North Face, in partnership with The Conservation Funds' Go Zero program, will be planting trees to zero out the climate change “footprint” of each The North Face Endurance Challenge events. Check back later to find out exactly where the trees will be planted in your region.
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Gear Bag Drop

  • Accelerade 50K and 50 Mile participants may pack a gear bag with extras to be dropped at a specified Aid Station. Only certain, pre-specified Aid Stations will accommodate gear bags. Gear bags must be dropped off at packet pickup on Thursday or Friday to allow time for crew to place at specified Aid Station. You will be provided a sticker that will be clearly marked with your bib number and the station to which it is to be delivered and adhered to the bag. Bags without stickers will be left at the Start/Finish Line and will be available for retrieval at the Finish Line Festival.
  • Gear Bags from California Street (Aid #3) will be returned to the finish line by 11:00 a.m.
  • Gear Bags from Fragrance Lake (Aid #6) will be returned to the finish line by 2:00 p.m.
  • Gear Bags from Upper Trail (Aid #9) will be returned to the finish line by 5:00 p.m.
  • The North Face and The Endurance Challenge cannot be held responsible for lost bags.
  • All gear Bags must be picked up at the Gear Check Area by 8:00 p.m. Saturday night. All Gear Bags remaining after 8:00 p.m. will be disposed of.
  • Recommended Gear Bag Needs
    Please limit the weight of your gear bag to10 lbs. Each athlete will have items that are specific to their own needs at the drop. The following list is a suggested starting point for what may benefit you along the way.
    • Extra Race Clothing: shirts, shorts, underwear, socks, shoes, rain gear, gloves, hat and towels
    • Electronics – ZUNE, head phones
    • Food – Energy bars, gels, sandwiches, snacks
    • Drink – (Water, Accelerade and Accel Gel will be provided on course) Additional powders, drinks & supplements that you may choose to use during the Endurance Challenge
    • First Aid – (Aid Stations will have First Aid available): Antacids, ibuprofen/asprin, sunscreen/sunblock, lip balm, blister protection (moleskin, blist-o-ban, Body Glide) analgesics, baby wipes, towels, scissors, Visine, antibiotic ointment, bandages
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    Parking & Shuttle Info

    There is plenty of parking onsite. Click here, for park information and driving directions.


    Shuttle Departure Locations/Times:
    There are no shuttles provided for this event as there is plenty of parking onsite.

    Driving Directions:
    Click here, for park information and driving directions.


    Event
    Camp Lutherwood
    1185 Roy Road
    Bellingham, WA 98229
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    Hotel

    Lakeway Inn & Convention Center
    714 Lakeway Drive
    Bellingham, WA 98229
    1-888-671-1011
    Rate Code: Participants must call for reservations. They cannot be made online. Please call the number above and reference “The North Face Endurance Challenge.”
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    Medical Info

    Medical assistance will be provided on-course and at the Finish Line. Look for medical volunteers and sports medicine volunteers wearing RED shirts for complimentary help before, during and after the race.
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