Monday, May 30, 2011

Angels Staircase Website Now Active!




Angels Staircase 50m/50k/25k is the first ever running race in the Chelan Sawtooths Sub Range of the North Cascade Mountains. High above Lake Chelan and the Methow River Valley this stunningly beautiful trail run, with 360 degree views of the three surrounding mountain ranges(Chelan Sawtooths, Okanogans, and the Cascades) and high alpine meadows full of wildflowers in full bloom, goes up to 8000ft making it the highest running race in the State of Washington. This heavenly(thanks to the beauty) and hellish(due to the challenge of the elevation gain and the sometimes rocky trails) race will surely become one of the most popular trail/ultra marathons in the country in short order!



Friday, May 27, 2011

looking for volunteers for beacon rock 50k/25k race and trail work party


I've got two opportunities for you to earn a free entry into any of my races, including the hugely popular Gorge Waterfalls 50k: Sunday June 5th I'll be leading a trail work party at Beacon Rock State Park and the following weekend on Sunday June 12th I'll be directing the first annual Beacon Rock 50k/25k.  We still have a few more positions left to fill at the race(aid stations, timing, post race meal) and there's almost no limit to the number of volunteers we can handle for the the trail work so there's plenty of options to choose from. And if you're planning on running Beacon Rock but have a friend or family member that's willing to volunteer at the race they can either earn you a free entry or they can use the free entry themselves.   

Please email me if you're interested or if you have any questions at james@rainshadowrunning.com or call me at 509.846.5019.  

If you can't make it to either of these two chances to earn a free entry don't worry I've got plenty of other fun opportunities for you coming up through out the year, including Cle Elum 50k/25 later in June, and at Angels Staircase 50m/50k/25k, North Cacades PCT 100k/25k and Winthrop Road Marathon and Half Marathon all later this Summer. See below for the complete calendar and link to the Rainshadow Running Website.  
A bit more info about the Beacon Rock 50k/25kEarly June is a great time to be in the Columbia River Gorge and at Beacon Rock State Park which is an hour Northeast of Portland. The snow has melted, everything is bright green and the wildflowers are putting on quite a show. The sun should be out and warming the temperatures into the 70s or 80s by the afternoon. From the high point in the race there are sweeping views of the Cascades, including Mt Hood and Mt Adams and the entire Columbia River Gorge. And at the Finish we'll soak in the sunshine as we eat, drink and merrily listen to live music all while lounging on grass lawn of the Park's Group Campsite.  In addition to all the fun on race day, runners and their friends and family are welcome to come out and camp for free for the whole weekend and take part in all the other organized and not-so organized fun things we'll be doing like, rock climbing, mountain biking, swimming, running, relaxing-- we have the Beacon Rock Group Camp reserved from Friday afternoon to Monday morning so come hang out and have fun! 

Thanks and I hope to see you real soon one way or another!

Rainshadow Running 2011 Race Schedule


Feb 5 Orcas Island 50k/25k Eastsound, WA (SOLD OUT)

Mar 12 Gorge Waterfalls 50k Cascade Locks, OR (SOLD OUT)
Apr 3 Yakima Skyline Rim 50k/25k Ellensburg, WA (SOLD OUT)
May 22 Sun Mountain 50m/50k/25k/1k Winthrop, WA (90% Full as of 5/11/11)
Jun 12 Beacon Rock 50k/25k N. Bonneville, WA(30% Full as of 5/11/11)
Jun 25 Cle Elum Ridge 50k/25k Cle Elum, WA(60% full as of 5/11/11)
Aug 13 Angels Staircase 50m/50k/25k Carlton, WA
Sept 18 North Cascades PCT 100k/50k Mazama, WA
Sept 25 Winthrop Road Marathon Winthrop, WA
Oct 8 Mt Spokane 50k/25k Spokane, WA
Nov 26 Christmas at the End of the Road 5k/1k Winthrop, WA
Dec 10 Deception Pass 50k/25k Oak Harbor, WA