Vashon Island Ultra Run

Where does the course go?

The 50k and 10 mile races will start at the same time at the start line/finish line location in Paradise Ridge park. The 10 milers will run out of the park south to the road (220th) and west along the shoulder to Old Mill Road (literally an old dirt lane). Meanwhile the 50k runners will separate from the 10 milers inside the park and run a full 1-mile loop of the perimeter of Paradise Ridge park before exiting out onto 220th and following the 10 milers up Old Mill Road.

All runners will continue north up Old Mill Road to 204th - where they will follow 204th east to Singer Road (another dirt road). From Singer Road runners will continue north onto the trails looping around the Vashon Cemetery.

Runners will then cross Cemetery Road and head up 115th (a gravel road) into the trail system of the King County Park's Island Center Forest. Once entering the park runners will turn east onto the trail system known as Valley of the Firs. A beautiful thickly wooded trail which meanders east northeast through the park. At about mile 4 for the 10 milers and mile 5 for the 50k runners - everyone will exit the north end of the park and run a short paved section of 115th out to Bank Road.

At this point runners will cross Bank Road and run down the grass shoulder of 115th to the entrance to Fisher Pond Preserve. Runners will then turn west into the Fisher Pond Preserve trail system. Runners will circle the pond (approx. a 1-mile loop), exit the nature preserve, re-cross Bank Road and navigate south back into the Island Center Forest.

Once back in the forest - runners will run the trails west and southwest to the southwest corner of the park where they will then leave the park via a short and beautiful trail, across private property, down to Cemetery Road. Runners will then cross Cemetery Road, heading south, and navigate their way back to Old Mill Road where they will face the only two way traffic of the event. They will continue south along Old Mill Road south to 220th and then along the shoulder of 220th back into Paradise Ridge park. At this point the 10 milers will finish and the 50k runners will turn and head back out onto the loop.

What is the terrain like?

This rolling race course will include single track and double track park trails, dirt roads, gravel driveways, grass shoulders and some short sections of paved road.

The elevation change is approx. 750 feet per loop (2,250 feet for the entire 50k). Though don't let that fool you - there are some challenging 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 hazzards. 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 yeild to all motorized vehicle traffic.

The Vashon Island Ultramarathon & Trail Run course map and description will be provided to runners prior to race. Thanks for your patience!


	Where does the course go? The 50k and 10 mile races will start at the same time at the start line/finish line location in Paradise Ridge park. The 10 milers will run out of the park south to the road (220th) and west along the shoulder to Old Mill Road (literally an old dirt lane). Meanwhile the 50k runners will separate from the 10 milers inside the park and run a full 1-mile loop of the perimeter of Paradise Ridge park before exiting out onto 220th and following the 10 milers up Old Mill Road. All runners will continue north up Old Mill Road to 204th - where they will follow 204th east to Singer Road (another dirt road). From Singer Road runners will continue north onto the trails looping around the Vashon Cemetery. Runners will then cross Cemetery Road and head up 115th (a gravel road) into the trail system of the King County Park's Island Center Forest. Once entering the park runners will turn east onto the trail system known as Valley of the Firs. A beautiful thickly wooded trail which meanders east northeast through the park. At about mile 4 for the 10 milers and mile 5 for the 50k runners - everyone will exit the north end of the park and run a short paved section of 115th out to Bank Road. At this point runners will cross Bank Road and run down the grass shoulder of 115th to the entrance to Fisher Pond Preserve. Runners will then turn west into the Fisher Pond Preserve trail system. Runners will circle the pond (approx. a 1-mile loop), exit the nature preserve, re-cross Bank Road and navigate south back into the Island Center Forest. Once back in the forest - runners will run the trails west and southwest to the southwest corner of the park where they will then leave the park via a short and beautiful trail, across private property, down to Cemetery Road. Runners will then cross Cemetery Road, heading south, and navigate their way back to Old Mill Road where they will face the only two way traffic of the event. They will continue south along Old Mill Road south to 220th and then along the shoulder of 220th back into Paradise Ridge park. At this point the 10 milers will finish and the 50k runners will turn and head back out onto the loop. What is the terrain like? This rolling race course will include single track and double track park trails, dirt roads, gravel driveways, grass shoulders and some short sections of paved road. The elevation change is approx. 750 feet per loop (2,250 feet for the entire 50k). Though don't let that fool you - there are some challenging 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 hazzards. 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 yeild to all motorized vehicle traffic. The Vashon Island Ultramarathon & Trail Run course map and description will be provided to runners prior to race. Thanks for your patience!	Date: Saturday, June 30, 2012 Time: 8:30 a.m. There is no early start. Where: Paradise Ridge Park, Vashon island, WA (map & directions) Elevation: Elevation change is approx. 750 feet per loop (2,250 for the entire 50k). Click here to view a rough elevation map. Aid Stations: Two stations per 10-mile loop -- roughly every 5 miles at the beginning and middle of each loop. Drop Bags: Drop bags can be accessed (if provided) at either aid station. Cutoffs: Course is open for 9 hours. All runners must leave for third loop by 2:30 p.m. Pacers: Pacers welcome for 50k runners on last lap only. Pacers must sign a waiver on race day and donation is requested. Awards: Awards will be presented to the first male and first female Open Division (39 and under) Finishers as well as first male and first female Masters Division (40+) Finishers. There will also be a number of other prizes handed out to as many participants as possible. Prizes and awards to be determined.