Vashon Island Ultramarathon & Trail Run
Vashon Island has a history of sport and athleticism, from the founding of K2 Skis and involvement in early hydroplane development to being the home of an annual 10k and 5k run, two triathlons (road and Xterra), and the annual Dock to Dock Half Marathon. The Island presents a great environment for many outdoor activities, from open water swimming to horse back riding.
ut until 2010, there had never been an organized trail run or Ultramarathon that took advantage of the great trails on Vashon Island. With the advent and explosion of interest in ultramarathon events, runners on Vashon Island were inspired to show off what they have known for years - that linking just a few of the various trail systems on the island provides an ecstatic trail running experience.
With the overwhelming success of the 2010 event, the Vashon Ultra is back for a second year.
The race will take place Saturday June 18, at 8:30 a.m. There is no early start.
The 50k and 10 mile races will start at the same time at the start line/finish line location in Paradise Ridge park. The 10 milers will run out of the park south to the road (220th) and west along the shoulder to Old Mill Road (literally an old dirt lane). Meanwhile the 50k runners will separate from the 10 milers inside the park and run a full 1-mile loop of the perimeter of Paradise Ridge park before exiting out onto 220th and following the 10 milers up Old Mill Road.
All runners will continue north up Old Mill Road to 204th - where they will follow 204th east to Singer Road (another dirt road). From Singer Road runners will continue north onto the trails looping around the Vashon Cemetery.
Runners will then cross Cemetery Road and head up 115th (a gravel road) into the trail system of the King County Park’s Island Center Forest. Once entering the park runners will turn east onto the trail system known as Valley of the Firs. Everyone will exit the north end of the park and run a short paved section of 115th out to Bank Road.At this point runners will cross Bank Road and run down the grass shoulder of 115th to the entrance to Fisher Pond Preserve. Runners will then turn west into the Fisher Pond Preserve trail system. Runners will circle the pond (approx. a 1-mile loop), exit the nature preserve, re-cross Bank Road and navigate south back into the Island Center Forest.
Once back in the forest - runners will run the trails west and southwest to the southwest corner of the park where they will then leave the park, down to Cemetery Road. Runners will then cross Cemetery Road, heading south, back to Old Mill Road where they will face the only two way traffic of the event. They will continue south along Old Mill Road south to 220th and then along the shoulder of 220th back into Paradise Ridge park. At this point the 10 milers will finish and the 50k runners will turn and head back out onto the loop.
This rolling race course will include single track and double track park trails, dirt roads, gravel driveways, grass shoulders and some short sections of paved road.
The elevation change is approx. 750 feet per loop (2,250 feet for the entire 50k). Though don’t let that fool you - there are some challenging hills in the mix on this course. Very little of this course qualifies as flat.
Awards will be presented to the first male and first female Open Division (39 and under) Finishers as well as first male and first female Masters Division (40+) Finishers. There will also be a number of other prizes handed out to as many participants as possible. Prizes and awards to be determined.
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