(12-9-08) The Mountain, Ultra & Trail (MUT) Running Sport Council has selected three Pacific Northwest races to be 2009 USA Trail Running Championships.
These selections recognize the hard work by several local race directors and are an acknowledgment by USATF of the rich trail racing heritage present in Oregon and Washington.
First run in 1993, the White River 50 Mile (Crystal Mountain, WA) will be the 2009 USA 50 Mile Trail Running Championships. Featuring 17,400 feet of total climb and descent, this race is an epic challenge for even the most experienced trail runner. The 2009 race will take place on July 25 and is organized by Scott McCoubery; owner of the Seattle Running Company and winner of the USATF MUT Council's Contributor of the Year award. There will be $7500 in prize money awarded to the top runners of this race.
The Where's Waldo 100k (Willamette Pass, OR) started in 2002 as a low key event organized by Curt Ringstad and Craig Thornley. This race is on 97% single-track trail and features a one lap course that climbs and descends 11,000 feet. The 2009 event is on August 22 and will be the USA 100k Trail Championships with $3000 in prize money up for grabs.
Last but certainly not least is the newest race among this championship trio - the Lithia Loop Trail Marathon. The inaugural race took place this past November and was organized by ultra running phenom Hal Koerner. Hal and his crew at Rogue Valley Runners set up a great course that starts and ends in Downtown Ashland, OR climbing 4700' into the Siskiyou National Forest. The 2009 race will be the USA Trail Marathon Championships for open and master runners.
For the latest information about these and other USA Track & Field Mountain, Ultra and Trail National Championships go to: http://usatforegonmut.blogspot.com/
