Event and Course Description
Needles is back, but in true fatass style. No aid. No course markings. Treat your own water from the creeks and carry all your own calories. The level of support will match your entry fee.
Likely change of start/finish location, update soon.
The Needles 50k is one burly, beautiful loop connecting Domerie Divide, Thomas Mtn, French Cabin Mtn, Little Joe Lake, Thorp Mtn, Kachess Ridge (aka The Cardiac Needles), and Silver Creek. This course is tough. About 10,000' of climb. Think graduate level mountain run.
See route and profile here: https://www.strava.com/activities/622702551
Race Day Schedule, Water Access, Cut offs
5:00am: Early start(?)
5:10am: Sunrise
6:00am - 6:30am: Race check-in
6:45am: Race briefing
7:00am: Race start
Water Access #1: Silver Creek (mile ~1.7)
Water Access #2: French Cabin Creek (mile ~12.3)
Water Access #3: Thorp Creek (mile ~14.5)
Water Access #4: Little Joe Lake outlet (mile ~16.1)
Water Access #5: Spring under Thorp Mtn (mile ~19.9)
Water Access #6: Silver Creek (mile ~25.2)
Water Access #7: Silver Creek at Boy Scout bridge (mile ~27.9)
7:00pm: 12 hour cutoff for “official” finish (14 hrs if early start is offered… tbd)
9:06pm Sunset
Event Details, Aid Offerings, Tracking, Refund Policy, Sponsors, Swag
Hoping to return to the original start/finish area at the ranch but currently seems unlikely. Start/finish location to be updated soon. Arrive to the start with everything you need, including empty bladders. Expect no bathrooms and Leave No Trace.
Aid station offerings: Nothing. There will be untreated water in creeks out on the course. You should consider filtering before you drink. Or not. You’ll probably be home before any GI distress sets in.
Course markings: None. GPX track of the course will be emailed at least one week before the event, which you must pre-load into the map app of your choice. You must use them to ensure you're on course.
Refund: I will refund the entirety of your entry fee should you not be completely satisfied with your experience.
Sponsors and swag: Nahhh
Other Requirements
Pre-req is a 50 mile trail run in 12 hours or less.
You'll be required to carry your phone with course downloaded into map app of your choice.
More details to follow, but your official finish time will be contingent upon providing selfies at the summit of Thorp Mtn (to prove you did the out-n-back), as well as a few other random spots along the course. You'll also need to submit your gpx track to confirm you covered the entirety of the course.
Please note: registration for the 25k is delayed as that distance is intended as a drop-down option for 50k runners who decide to shorten their day. We welcome 25k runners should there be space come May 1st. Email us with any questions.
Event's current local time: 4:50 AM PT
