Ellen Storm's Staging Area

Felt much harder than last year’s temporary course. Logging at the top has opened up some beautiful views while the rest of the race is in beautiful temperate forest with an interesting section on the north side without any understory growth. It must be a little rain shadow from the peaks. Trails are mostly single track in good condition. Be ready to go up without any frivolous switchbacks. Race production great, so kind to slow pokes like me.

We lucked out with the weather. The trails had dried up and there was just a little ice as we started. My race was a single ten mile loop through beautiful moss covered forest, up steep trails and with rocks and roots that require attention and either light feet or a slower pace. I chose the slower pace to avoid falling and loved exchanging accolades with the speedy runners who were lapping me as they flew by on their second rounds. With other runners doing two or three laps I felt comfortable at my pace being able to hike or run without any pressure to make cutoff times.
Loved the hot soup at the finish. Glad I had a big mug of coffee from home as there was none at the start.

Nice mix of support and stretches of solitude. Staggered starts for pandemic safety. Plenty of time for us slower paced runners to complete two loops for the half. No better way to spend a Saturday.