BUNKER TO BONNEVILLE (B2B) 50K SMARTASS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2008
START TIME: 7:30 A.M.; 10 hour limit
Conditions: Heavy Rain Showers at times, & Gusting Winds.
2008 Results
Place Finish Time Name Gender Age Poker Hand 1 5:25:34 Jim Mahar Male 53 3 - 6’s 2 6:03:19 Michael McCarthy Male 44 ? 3 6:34:11 Allan Dushan Male 45 Straight “Q High” 4 6:43:01 Jim Brashers Male 54 A – J - 10 5 7:24:47 Steve Peterson Male 54 2 Pair J/6 6 7:24:47 Stan Nowakowski Male 52 Pair 3’s 7 7:31:10 Maura Schwartz Female 48 Pair K’s 8 7:35:24 Kris Ryding Female 45 3 – A’s 9 7:58:45 Karen Wiggins Female 49 Pair 3’s 10 8:38:39 Thomas Riley Male 45 7 High 11 10:36:24 Kathy Brashers Female 52 2 Pair J/8 12 10:36:24 Esther Holman Female 44 Pair A’s - J
10/04/2008
The Few, The Brave, The…very wet
The first annual Bonneville to Bunker 50k was run in conditions by which all future B2B’s will be judged. From this year forward, at the end of every race, you may hear, “You should have been here the first year!”
The night before the B2B, run co-directors Michele Adams and Anna Bates nervously lay in their respective beds and listened to pounding rain and howling winds as the first storm of the season slammed into the Cascade Mountains. Morning changed nothing as 12 brave runners and 6 volunteers steeled themselves for what was to come.
At 6:00am runners gathered at the finish of the race and were shuttled to the beginning. The race began at the Whistle Punk Trailhead near the Wind River Ranger Station on the Gifford Pinchot Forest in the Southwest Washington Cascades. At 7:30 am, runners started their journey on the Pacific Crest Trail which ended at the Equestrian Trailhead of the PCT across from Bonneville Dam. When not buried under a thick blanket of cloud, this 31 mile section of the PCT offers spectacular views of the Cascade Peaks, sections of old growth Forest, wildflower meadows and plunging valleys. On October 4, runners faced 31 miles with 8,000 feet of elevation change along with a deluge of rain, dropping temperatures, and 30 mph winds. All these brave souls finished, including first-time ultramarathoner Kathy Brashers.
Jim Mahar of Washougal finished first with a fine time of 5:25:34. Best Poker hand went to Allan Dushan of White Salmon, who won a jug of Walking Man Beer and two pint glasses. Kris Ryding of Olympia had second best hand and won a Water Bladder Cleaning Kit. The race raised $120 dollars towards the Columbia Gorge Running Club’s Scholarship fund.
For invaluable assistance with the run, Race Directors thank Stan Holman, Claudia Holman, Jan Frazier, Tiffany McCrum, Robert Lynes, Gary Daubenspeck, Noah Adams, Alisha Adams, and Issac Adams. Our appreciation extends to Walking Man Brewery for donating a fabulous poker prize. Our admiration and gratitude go especially to all the brave participants—happy trails and we hope to see you next year!
Race Specifics:
COURSE: Point-to-point beginning in Hemlock, Washington at the Whistle Punk Trailhead. After approx. 2.5 miles of groomed trail and dirt road, enters the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and follows this South to the Tanamous Trail, ending at the Tanamous Trailhead on the north side of Hwy. 14 opposite Bonneville Dam.
AID: We are following the Fat Ass tradition of a self-supported run. We had three water/aid stations. Please plan on starting with either a hydration pack or at least two hand bottles. There are several filterable water sources. You must carry your own electrolytes and fuel.
Please be prepared for inclement weather. You will be in REMOTE mountainous terrain nearly the entire run. Mornings and evenings will be chilly, possibly frosty, even if the daylight hours are sunny.
DESCRIPTION: Not flat! There is plenty of climbing from start to finish. Please check a Gifford Pinchot topographic map before commiting. Weather dependent, you will have fabulous views of the Columbia Gorge and quite possibly the four major Northwest volcanos, Mts. Hood, Adams, St. Helens and Rainier, not to mention smaller peaks like Table Mt. and Three-Corner Rock. We have even seen Mt. Jefferson waaaayyyy out there!
Huckleberries are late this year so those treasures may be available to augment your pack food. Depending on rainfall, you may cross several small creeks. Leaf colors can be staggeringly beautiful in October. This is truly a stunning section of the PCT.
TRANSPORTATION: The finish line is approximately 30 minutes drive from the start. Runners should plan to carpool, though we are working on providing transportation. (It may be a covered pickup bed.) At present, runners who wish to be dropped at the start should plan on meeting in the Tanamous Parking Lot at 6:00 a.m.
DONATIONS: $20.00 suggested donation, though we appreciate any amount. Proceeds will cover associated costs with any profit going to the Columbia Gorge Running Club’s scholarship fund.
RUN ORGANIZERS: Michele Adams (nandmadams@gorge.net), Anna Bates (dnabates@gorge.net) and Stan Holman. Please email Michele or Anna with questions and to sign-up. Details are still evolving and updates will be posted regularly on the Columbia Gorge Running Club website: www.columbiagorgerunningclub.com, or email: cgrc@live.com
B2B 10-01-08 UPDATES
Two days ‘til run day! The hucks are still out and the vine maples are starting to blaze. Should be a pretty run. Also be aware that it is hunting season in the forest, and that wearing bright colors might be a good idea!
WEATHER: According to NOAA, it could be a bit damp, and windy out there Saturday. There are sections that are very exposed to rain and wind. Please dress accordingly (no cotton!) and consider packing an extra hat and pair of gloves.
AID: Please come prepared to travel at least 15 miles without aid. Bring a minimum of 2 filled water bottles or a filled hydropack. There is NO WATER at the Finish or Start in the morning before the race. At a minimum, there will be one aid station with water and a few goodies. If all goes as planned, we should be able to get 2 aid stations (1 water only) and 1 self-service water station between miles 10-20, but it will depend on road conditions. Be prepared to be self-sufficient.
ACCOMODATIONS: There are several resort-style lodges in the area and a few hotels. “Dispersed” campsites are plentiful, but may be a bit soggy. Start and Finish have lovely pit toilets, no running water, minimal shelter. Bring a bag for shed “warmies” at the start and we’ll get them to the finish.
TRANSPORTATION: Be at the finish by 6:00 am and you’ll have a ride to the start. If you’d rather drive to the start, you can follow a shuttle or type to one of us for directions. When race is over, we’ll get you back to your vehicle.
FUN ADDITION: Anna has suggested we make the run a “poker run” so we will be providing cards at various locations throughout the race. The best hand at the end will win…a fabulous mystery prize!
FINISH: We have some great volunteers who are providing soup, bread, warm drinks and cookies when you’re done.
SEE YOU ALL SATURDAY!
Michele Adams nandmadams@gorge.net
Anna Bates dnabates@earthlink.net
B2B UPDATES 9/25/08
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
** You will need your NW Forest Trail Parking Permit to park at start AND/OR finish **
From Portland: I-84 E to Cascade Locks exit. Bridge of the Gods across the Columbia River to Hwy 14. Hwy 14 W to Bonneville/Tamanous Trailhead, approximately 5 minutes, on N side of Hwy 14. It is hard to see in the dark. If you get to the North Bonneville town exits, you’ve gone too far.
From Vancouver/I-5: 205 S to Hwy 14 E. Bonneville/Tamanous Trailhead is between 23-25 miles E from I-205 junction on N side of Hwy 14. If you reach Bridge of the Gods, you’ve gone too far.
If you’re coming from easterly parts, reverse these directions!
Q/A:
Can I get a ride to start from finish before race? Yes, space permitting, for runners in the Bonneville Parking lot by 6am. It may be the covered back of a pickup.
What is the elevation gain/loss? Run will have an overall loss of approximately 1200’.
There is about 3,800’ gain, give or take a few hundred feet.