Day of Race
Guaranteed to be snow free in 2023!
No UTMB Stones!
Not a Hardrock Qualifier!
There will be day-of-race registration, 50k registrants first, 10 mile registrants at 8:30 after 50k'ers leave.
In addition, there will be a limited supply of T-Shirts for free from past years.
Camping on Friday night is an option. Please email us to confirm you are planning to camp prior to arriving. Camping will be in the big grass field at the start/finish, near SW 178th and 103rd SW, with porta-potties and water in jugs. Thank you!
Live tracking through UltraSignup:
https://ultrasignup.com/live/live.htm
Timeline:
7 am – 8:15 am: 50k Bib/t-shirt Pickup
8:15: 50K Race Course Briefing / Announcements
8:30 am: 50K Race Start
8:30-9:15 am 10 mile Bib/t-shirt Pickup
9:15: 10 Mile Race Course Briefing / Announcements
9:30 am 10 Mile Race Start
12 noon
Post Race Food with Refreshments
2:30 pm
Cut-off for last 50K runners heading out on third loop
5:30 Course closes
At the two checkpoints (out about 6 miles every lap, and back at the start/finish/turnaround) there will be:
Water
Coke
Mt. Dew
Tailwind (sugar), Gatorade, Nuun tablets to add to your water,
Salt
Potato Chips
Watermelon
Cantaloupe
PBJs
Oranges sliced
Bananas halved
Gels (Gu Roctane, Spring Energy)
Stroop Waffles (Gu)
Various junk food - paydays, + whatever the Captains think up
Energetic and enthusiastic helpers.
We come back through base camp every ten (+) miles, where there will be a spot for drop bags, also, Aid Station 1, at 6/16/26 miles also will have a car bringing drop bags out, if you want one there as well.
ADA Accomodation procedure: www.usatf.org/governance/policies/usatf-policy-procedures-for-evaluation-of-requests Please review the USATF Safe Sport Handbook here for compliance with our harrassment policy. We are an entirely volunteer event, a non-profit charity, and therefore cannot offer refunds once registered. Email us about how to exchange your entry to another person! Our policy is in line with other ultra/trail events, and are more generous than some.
2023: Trail Sister Approved!
While running can seem to be egalitarian and accessible to all, that is not necessarily the case. We have always tried to treat everyone alike at our events, and realize those attempts may not make it so. We are happy to be Trail Sister Approved, which means that we have promised to abide by certain minimum standards, and strive to go above and beyond. Trail Sisters Approved is a standard to identify and promote races who abide by standards. These standards were developed and set forth by a team of women trail racers. These standards are a starting point, as there is much more that can be added, but the goal is to start moving forward and making progress. We have always have had Equal Podium Spots, Equal Awards. Menstrual products at aid stations and Equal opportunity/space for women on the starting line. For more information, contact us and visit the Trail Sister website, https://calendar.trailsisters.net/trail-sisters-approved/
We conform to the WSER pregnancy deferral policy, https://www.wser.org/entry-process/pregnancy-deferrals/.
We conform to SheRaces guidelines https://www.sheraces.com/race-guidelines.
Course Details
Where does the course go?
The 50k and 10 mile races will embark from the same start line/finish line at the Gateway Trail system near SW 178th and 103rd SW.. Porta Potties are at 0, .5, 1.4 and 6 miles. If "going" in the woods, please step off the trail and be discrete. A map/course GPX will be emailed to entrants a week prior to the event as the course passes through private property, and we want to keep traffic down on those portions to keep friendly relations. Otherwise, go on to Strava and look up the course from past winners/runners. The first 1/4 mile will be dirt road, then taking runners into Island Center Forest’s Gateway Trail system.
Runners will get their first exposure to the Gateway Trail – one of the newest additions to ICF’s trail system. Runners will travel around in a general clockwise direction, first heading to the 188th lot, onto the 188th Trail, Valley of the Firs, Grinder, Mikes and Craigs, middle and north trails, borrow pit, to AS1 at Fisher Pond, around the pond to 115th, then back into the ICF and around Mukai Pond and the perimeter of Dragons Head Cider Farm. There, you only have a mile to go to the finish/AS2/turnaround. As usual the course will be clearly marked – but runners should remain alert just the same. The course will basically travel the interior and perimeter of the park, ending up back at the Start/Finish, where the 10 milers will finish and the 50k runners will head back out on Gateway Trail for two more loops.
Aid stations will be located at miles 6 and 10. 50k runners will pass each aid station 3 times.
What is the terrain like?
This rolling race course will include primarily single track and double track park trails, with some dirt roads, gravel driveways, grass shoulders and short sections of paved road.
The elevation change is about 770 feet per loop. Though don’t let that fool you – while generally short in distance, there are some nice steep hills in the mix on this course. Very little of this course qualifies as flat.
Technically the trails are mostly well groomed and free of obstacles and hazards. That said there are sections of the trail where footing will be challenged by roots, downed logs, or quick turns and sharp changes in elevation. Staying alert is important.
Will the course be closed to the public?
No. Runners will be running on both public and private land. While the Vashon Island Ultramarathon & Trail run has permits and permission for all properties that runners will be accessing and crossing – those permits and permissions do not include exclusive use of those trails. Runners should be aware of their surroundings and should anticipate encountering equestrians, pedestrians and bicyclists. Please be courteous and review the Vashon Island Ultramarathon Trail Rules for trail etiquette. Also when crossing and running on paved roads runners should yield to all motorized vehicle traffic.
The Vashon Island Ultramarathon & Trail Run course map and detailed description will be emailed to runners in the week prior to race. Thanks for your patience!
Getting here
Getting to the Race: Ferry ScheduleCheck back frequently as WA DOT is switching to a three boat schedule sometime this year. Heading South from North End Ferry Dock (Arriving from Southworth or Fauntleroy):
When exiting the Ferry Dock you will stay to the left and head up the hill on the Vashon Hwy
Continue South on Vashon Hwy, turn right on SW 178th (movie theater)
Follow signs to parking area.
If arriving Friday to camp out, camp in the lot where posted.
Heading North from Talequah Ferry Dock (Arriving from Pt. Defiance/Tacoma):
When exiting the Ferry Dock turn left onto Vashon Hwy
Continue North on Vashon Hwy until in town, turn left on SW 178th (Chevron)
Follow signs to park.
Vashon Island is only accessible by ferry boat. You can walk or drive onto the Washington State Ferries that service Vashon. We recommend you drive or plan to carpool if you walk on. It is important that you plan ahead so that you are not stuck in the ferry line or on the boat as race time approaches! If you get stuck, jump out, run onto the boat, and look for a ride to town.
Recommended boats are as follows:
From West Seattle/Fauntleroy – 50k runners your last ferry is at 5:10 am (!) due to the lousy two-boat schedule.
From Pt. Defiance/Tacoma– 50k runners your last ferry is at 7:35 am (6:45 am recommended);
From Southworth – – 50k runners your last ferry is at 7:20 am (6:55 am recommended).
Beware of over-loads and to be safe take the recommended ferry, carpooling is also recommended. If you cannot drive onto the “last ferry” due to over-loads, walk on and ask for a ride/hitch-hike with other racers on the boat.
10 Milers, while you have an extra hour to get to the start finish – beware that Saturday morning ferries coming to Vashon in Summer months tend to overload the later in the day you get. We highly recommend you catch the last boat for 50k.
Event's current local time: 5:05 AM PT
