White River 50 Mile Run

This Saturday morning I am going to be running in my first "ultra" (any race over 26 miles). I'm not yet ready to run the full 50, so I will be doing the first loop -- 27 miles of the race. This is my idea of a lot of fun. Since it is the U.S. Championships, it will be great being among the best endurance runners inn the country. Looks like it will be cooling off as well.

Set in the shadow of Mt. Rainier, this race offers spectacular views. Like "The Mountain" itself, though, the race stands as an ultimate test of mental character and physical endurance. Over the 50-mile distance the race course rises and falls a staggering 8,700 feet (total elevation change: 17,400 feet). The race features rolling terrain, ridge tops, northwest forest, several sections of technical trails, and of course several demanding climbs and challenging descents.This
year's race will be the U.S. Men's and Women's Open and Masters National
Championship.

Race numbers are limited to 400 of the toughest endurance athletes this country has to offer. Most competitors will be pleased just to complete the race distance. However, as an extra testament to supreme performance, at least $7,500 in prize money is offered, going five deep in each category.
Update: I did what I set out to do -- completing the first loop of this amazing race. I was impressed by the athleticism of these extreme endurance runners who were well prepared for this great challenge. This course gives you very little time to relax -- It climbs relentlessly upward and unless you're really fit, the downhill section cannot be enjoyed because the climb took it all out of you. If you're running the 50, you get to do this twice. When I left today both the men's and women's races were shaping up to be real battles -- both had groups of four closely packed together after 30 miles of hard running. The official results will be posted at Seattle Running Company soon. I was glad that I was "only" doing the first loop (27 miles) as that was difficult enough.
An event recap (as well as a preview) is now available at Greg Crowther's blog by clicking here.