WHEN: Saturday, August 16, 2008. Start time will be 5:00am, in
the dark. Early start will be 3:00am for those expecting to run more
than 16 hours.
WHERE: Race begins and ends at Willamette Pass Ski Area in the Oregon
Cascades. This is 70 miles southeast of Eugene, Oregon on Highway
58. To get there from I-5 take the Highway 58 exit just south of
Eugene and drive east.
AID/DROP BAGS: Aid stations will be from 4.9 to 7.5 miles apart.
Normal ultra food and beverages will be available at all aid stations.
Drop bags will be available at several aid stations. Other than the Waldo Lake
Rd crossing at the Fuji Trailhead (mile 7.5), crew members may only provide aid to runners at
aid stations.
See the course page for details on locations, parking, etc..
CUTOFFS: Finisher hats go to those who finish before 9:00pm.
That is 16 hours from the 5:00am start, 18 from the
3:00am early start. If you don't think you will finish under 16
hours you should use the early start.
There are only 3 cutoffs: Charlton Lake, Rd 4290, and The Twins.
The cutoff times are not intended to be a
pacing guide. If you arrive at an aid station after the cutoff time you
will not be allowed to continue.
QUALIFICATIONS: Runners must have completed at least one
trail 50K or longer race within the last two years. This is a fairly hard mountain ultra.
While the junctions are very well-marked, expect to run for miles without assurance ribbons. Since the
last 24 miles are remote (but with three well-stocked aid stations) and climb two peaks
over 7300', you must be able and prepared to
take care of yourself in the mountains.
SHIRTS: Sporthill shirts.
AWARDS:
Overall and Master's male and female runners to receive custom award.
Sporthill running hat to all runners who finish before 9:00pm.
An outdoor gear prize will be awarded to the first person to Find Waldo and finish.
That is, the first runner to reach the summit of Fuji
Mtn (13.7 miles into the race) where Waldo Lake can be seen for the first
time. That runner must also finish the race. Early starters are
not eligible for this award.
The Wet Waldo, will be given to the runner who swims in the most lakes and finishes
before 9:00pm. There are six possible lakes: Charlton, Found, Maiden, N. Rosary, Middle
Rosary, Lower Rosary. Early starters are eligible for this award.
Show us Your Waldo This subjective award is judged by the aid stations. Each aid station
will get one vote for the runner who shows or has the most or best Waldo. Early starters are eligible for this award.
USA championship medals awarded to top ten overall male and female runners who are
eligible to score in the USA Championships (see USATF website).
Age division medals awarded to masters runners (40+) to top three in each 5 year age group: 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, etc.
Double-dipping is allowed. That is, if a 40 year old places in the top ten, he/she is entitled to both the open
and masters medals.
Early starters will be given a minimum time of 16 hours for Oregon Trail Series scoring.
PRIZE MONEY: Prize money awarded to athletes who meet the USA Championship eligibility criteria (see USATF website) provided by Sunsweet Growers, Inc
and Rogue Valley Runners.
Double dipping by masters is allowed. That is, if a masters runner wins they will get first place open money and
first place masters money. Prize money is the same for males and females.
Open
Masters
First Place
$1000
$500
Second Place
$500
$300
Third Place
$300
$100
Fourth Place
$200
Fifth Place
$100
NO HEADPHONES: No electronic equipment such as video or audio recorders or players, cell phones, iPods, radios, etc. Watches and heartrate monitors are ok.
RULES FOR USATF RUNNERS: In addition to the above rules regarding cutoffs, aid, headphones, etc. which apply to all runners, USATF runners are expected to abide by the following.
No Pacers allowed.
In addition to the bib number which must be worn on the front, masters runners must wear
an age group back tag visible from the back. A 43 year old male will wear M40, a 57 year old
female will wear F55, etc.
Early starters cannot bump regular starters out of USATF awards.
PACERS: Non-USATF runners may be accompanied by a pacer beginning at Charlton Lake to the
finish. We will not be tracking pacers and they are responsible for their own
transportation. Pacers may take food and fluids at the aid stations as available.
CHECK-IN: At the lodge Friday, August 15, 4:30pm to 9:00pm and
morning of race, beginning at 2:30am.
PRE RACE BRIEFING: At the lodge Friday, August 15, 7:00pm.
POST RACE BBQ: We will have a post-race BBQ at the lodge after the race.
CAMPING: Several campgrounds exist in the area, including
3 at Waldo Lake, and one at Gold Lake, which the course passes through about
10 miles into the race. At this time of year the campgrounds could be
crowded, so arrive early and reserve your spot. See
Middle Fork Ranger District
or Hoodoo,
the operator of those 4 campgrounds for more infomation. Gold Lake
is very convenient and about 2 miles from the start, but camping at Waldo
Lake is pleasant. There will also be a free camping area near the nordic center
at Willamette Pass. You can also sleep in your vehicle at the Pass.
LODGING: If you're not into camping, there are also several lodging opportunities
in the area. Wherever you stay, please let them know that you are running
the race. Here are some lodging opportunities:
Willamette Pass Area (less than 10 miles from start of race)
The Oakridge Best Western (541) 782-2212 or 1-800-528-1234
Cascade Motel (541) 782-2489
Oakridge Motel (541) 782-2432
Ridgeview Motel (541) 782-3430
WEATHER August is one of the ideal weather months in Western Oregon.
Winter is a ways off, but we can get a storm that drops snow on the course.
Depending on the snowpack and melt, the mosquitoes should be dying off.
In July and sometimes August, they might drive you crazy. DEET will be
your friend.
The nights should be cool with lows in the 40's or 50's and daytime temps
in the 60's or 70's. It should be sunny and beautiful, but it could be
raining or snowing, especially at the higher elevations of the course, or
it could be very hot.
It could be as cold as the 20's and as high as the 80's or even the 90's.
Hypothermia is a real possibility so make sure you bring lots of warm and
dry clothing. No Cotton! It is worthless in the mountains!
![Click here to see the ODOT Willamette Pass RoadCam](http://www.tripcheck.com/RoadCams/cams/WillamettePass_pid658.jpg?0.4134485"){kind=link}