Expo/Bib pick up- There was no expo for this event, but bib pick up was speedy and pretty lowkey. For some reason I didn’t get a shirt, but to my understanding not a lot of people did. No big deal though!

Race morning- very casual morning. Parking at the park was $7, and you want to triple check you have it in cash the night before. The ultra runners are already on the course by the time the 20 milers start, and their teams are all hanging out at their tents set up right at the start/ finish line. There are those standing portable heater things disbursed at the start line, which is AMAZING!!

The course- By far the most challenging course I’ve ever taken on. 1,387 feet of elevation gain, and on every downhill there are slippery/ unstable rocks you have to maneuver, and all of the flats outlined on the elevation profile are in deep wash sand. If you’re looking for a challenge, THIS IS IT! Because of the trail nature of course, there is no one out there cheering you on and there are sparse fueling stations. If you get injured, which I saw two brutal falls, you either have to walk to the nearest aid station or back to the start because no one can get to you to help you off the course. BUT the other runners and volunteers are INCREDIBLE!!!! You might be kind of alone out there, but you’d never know it. The runners all helped each other out when we saw someone trip or eat it completely. Everyone stopped their race to get injured runners to the next aid station.
Because of the washing machine-style of this course, the ultra marathoners loop back around and you see them pretty frequently after about mile 13 of the 20 mile race. It gets a little tight on the single-track portions of the course to squeeze everyone through, so there’s an unwritten rule that the shorter distances make room for those going further (absolutely fine with me. The breaks were amazing). You also have to cheer for each other!! This is NOT a solo race, it is very community oriented. So, full disclosure, if you’re into solitude on race day this may not be the best fit for you.

Aid stations- The volunteers at the aid stations and throughout the course were AMAZING. They had so much positive energy to share. The stations also had several forms of fuel (pickles, candied ginger, turkey wraps, trail mix, really, everything you could think of they had), they water and electrolytes in coolers, and were also stocked on sunscreen, salt tabs, vaseline, bandaids and alcohol wipes. The tents had chairs under them to take a break or adjust your shoes and pack, which I really appreciated. They really thought of everything! I had never been more hyped to see a big white tent in my life than during this race!

Finish- Great finish!! The teams for the ultra runners cheer you in, and really make you feel super loved!! Such an awesome community feeling at this race!

Bling- No medal for this one, but you do get a super cute glass cup instead!! I’ll be holding onto this one forever!!