Description
Come out to lovely Lake Sylvia State Park near Montesano for Run Forest Run. The race offers the runner the choice between the 25K and 50K distances. The race will start and finish in the state park but most of the course will travel on trails through the neighboring working forest owned by the City of Montesano. Entry fees are a modest $35 for the 25K and $45 for the 50K.
Course
The 25K course is a loop which consists mostly of double or single track trail and gravel road with less than two miles of paved road. The 50K is completed by running a second loop around the 25K course. The course has approximately 2,750 feet of elevation gain (per loop) which is spread out over numerous short climbs. The start and finish will travel along the shoreline of Lake Sylvia while the balance of the course will take the runner through either forest or recently clearcut areas. Sections of the trail are rough, rutted, and/or muddy, and as it is winter, expect to get wet and dirty.
There will be two aid stations, at the start/finish and a little over half way around the loop. The aid stations will be stocked with water, and the usual assortment of candy, cookies, chips, fruit, and gels offered at most ultras.
There will be a four hour cutoff time at the finish line for 50K runners to be allowed to start a second loop. The second loop must be started prior to noon. There is an overall cutoff of eight and a half hours. As daylight hours are still short in February the safety of runners and volunteers requires this cutoff.
Race Day
The both 50k and 25k races will start at 8:00 AM. Our permit does not allow an early start for any runners. Since registration closes the Friday before race day, we will not have day of race registration..
Please note that a Washington State Discover Pass is required for all vehicles parked inside the state park. The Discover Pass can be purchased in advance for a $30 annual fee or can be purchased at the park for a $10 daily fee. The park ranger will be checking for a Discover Pass displayed in your front window otherwise you will receive a $99 ticket! For a list of places where you can buy a Discover Pass, visit: http://discoverpass.wa.gov/
Please be courteous of the trails (i.e., no littering) and help us to maintain our good standing with the state park and the city so we can continue to offer this race in the future. Please advised that well behaved trail dogs are welcome.
After the race, join us in the new Legacy Pavilion for warm food (there will be vegan options). The Pavilion is covered and will have a nice warm fire blazing. Please note: the food will be provided to runners and volunteers only. Thanks for understanding.
Local time: 2:43 AM
