Chuckanut 50K

An amazing group of 300+ runners, including world class competitors, participated in the Chuckanut 50K yesterday on trails and roads within the Chuckanuts.

Please support Fairhaven Runners they are a sponsor of the Chuckanut 50K as well as a leading benefactor to the Chuckanut Conservancy.

More later but here are some of the images from yesterdays competition.

Please click on any image to enlarge.

All photographs are copyright Paul K Anderson 2011

Runners crossed Chuckanut Creek and began the switchbacks up to the Interurban Trail 

Early in the race runners were still clustered together but the steep trails quickly dispersed  the crowds.

Snow had fallen on the upper elevations allowing Michael Smith, the early race leader from Flagstaff, Arizona, to keep cool on the rugged elevation gains.

Eric Stagg on the right climbs Cleator Rd. with Colorado native Geoff Roes, on the left.
Geoff paced himself early in the race before passing Michael Smith at about the 22 mile mark

Tim Olson of Ashland, Oregon

The elite ladies weren't too far behind near the top of Cleator.

High tech fabrics, watches, hydration systems and tunes helped many of the runners.

Runners ate and drank on the run to keep fueled and hydrated.  Numerous check points and aide stations were positioned over the 30.6 mile course. 

Some were motivated by friends and family members.