Northern State Winter Run/Walk

Since I continue to struggle with uploading the results, you can find them at Northern State Trail Runs on Facebook

Swifties will start out with Besties and run straight up the road and take a sharp right at main farm road and loop around the barns back to the main road they just crossed at the start and continue straight and cross the Farmstead Bridge into the SWIFT Center where they will circle the roads of the old Northern State Hospital.  After crossing the bridge runners will take a right on Planters Road then left at top of the hill to  run through the parking area of the old Pioneer Center. Upon leaving the parking area, runners will turn right to run on  Thompson Road to the entrance gate where they will cross the road and enter the new Skagit Trail Builders Brickyard Creek Trail.  Upon completion of this trail, runners will once again cross the road and run down Hub Drive in between old buildings until dropping down to the Dovetail Bridge where they will re-enter Northern State Recreation Area.  At his point they will merge with Pumphouse 5K runners for the last 3/4 mile to the finish line by running the main road and looping around the old barns. (this will be the 2nd time around the barns....sorry but better this than deep pools of water and ankle mud!)

Pumphouse 5K runners will start to the left of the other runners and head to the main road where they will take a left and run to the Farmstead Road where they will cross Hansen Creek into the SWIFT Center. They will take a right on Planters Road and once cresting the rise they will take a right at the fork and drop down to the Dovetail Bridge where they will re-enter the Northern State Recreation Area and quickly take a left up the Access Road.  At the STB rock staging area, runners will enter the Pumphouse Trail where they will run about a mile to the end where they will take a right on the Access Road back to where they will merge with the  Swifties for the last 3/4 mile to the finish line.

The Besties 10K is a combination of both 5K's offering the Best of what both sides have to offer as a run.  Besties will run with the Swifties and merge with the Pumpers.  Before entering the Barn Loop, Besties will veer to the right at the Y and run down to main road to start their Pumphouse loop.  After entering SWIFT Center, Pumpers will again run up Planters Road but this time veer to right down to the Dovetail Bridge where upon crossing will take a left to run up Access Road and do the Pumphouse Trail Loop. Once entering the road at the Roundabout, Pumpers will run up the hill where this time will take a left and run a loop through the upper field before merging back to the road that will lead them down to the Barn Loop and finish. At 4 confusing spots, Besties will have 2 arrows,  One for 1st time there and below it their 2nd time. (See directional sign below for example plus the other map in etiquette section)

To add some friendly and fun competition to this event, there will be  team competitions. No extra fees. 

4 Dynamic Duos:  Originally thought of as two runners running the two different 5Ks and combining their times with lowest time winning Sasquatch ornaments NOW  we are open to Duos from the same race. Categories TBD.

4 Triple Crown Trios:  Three runners from each race with lowest combined times will win Sasquatch ornaments.  

Upon closing of registrations, I will send out an email to find out the teams. I will then make a scoring sheet to be at the finish area where runners will enter their times and do the math. Total honor system. 

Once you run across a Bigfoot painted on the ground look to see which direction his foot is pointing.  Bigfoot is in that direction. If you spot a Bigfoot and a card the same color as your tag is showing, then veer off course and grab the poker chip that is with the card (just leave the card on the ground).  NO FIGHTING FOR CARDS!!! (This isn't Best Buy on Black Friday!) If there is not a card of your color showing then someone beat you to it. Only take a card that corresponds to your event tag (red, blue, or yellow) AND you cannot take a tag for a fellow runner. At the conclusion of all the races, these cards will have a number corresponding to a prize that has been randomly generated to that number. Turn in your card and take your prize.  Apothecary Coffee has donated $10 gift cards plus prizes from Double Barrel BBQ, Hal's Drive In, Coconut Kenny's, The Garage Cafe, and Skagit Running Companyl.  Should have close to $400 worth of prizes out there for the taking!  10 Bigfoots with 44 different tags.  There will also be ORANGE tags for participants 12 and under BUT if they come across a tag that is their race, then they can take that chip associated with that colored tag instead!

If you run over this then a Bigfoot is ahead to the right or to the left.  If a colored card corresponds to your running tag, then there is prize awaiting.  If no colored tag then someone beat you to it. 

These cool wooden Sasquatch ornaments will be presented to top three male and female individuals of each race. And each winning team member will receive Sasquatch ornaments. And yes, it will be possible to win 2!

Some photos of the route the Swifties and Besties run!  The back sloppy, muddy, pools of water, etc section has been eliminated.

Swifties and Besties run straight up the road from Start where as Pumphouse 5K will take a left of the main road to quickly enter the Swift center and then exit the Swift center to go run the Skagit Trail Builders' Pumphouse Trail.  Upon return to the Winter Run Roundabout, this 5K will merge with the other two runs and run with the Swifties to the finish line.  (Besties will exit stage right near the barns to run their 2nd half of the 10K)

Northern State might be a wide open space but you will quickly discover that finding a place to start more than 150 runners can be quite challenging.  This event is split into 2 starting chutes.  The Pumphouse Trail 5K actually will start in the field off Tee 1 of the disc golf venue and should present no issues.  Swifties and Besties will be grouped closer to the split in trail on the right and poses a slight challenge.  With that in mind, more casual runners like myself who no longer have that swift pace as well as walkers need to place themselves behind the more competitive type runners. I will make sure of that when STARTING the race.     

The Swiftie/Bestie start will be a narrow chute going straight up to cross the road in-between the two trails to the right of the positioned trash can.  Actually this type of start is not much different that those where runners have to squeeze together to cross a mat to get their chip registered.    I am confident that it will work smoothly as long as everyone understands that running a 4 minute mile in the first 100 meters is not a wise choice.

Next I need to discuss other interactions on the crazy routes that I plotted.  For the most part there will be no issues because when the different races come together it is along the nice wide open farm roads and where runners merge together,  cones will allow for smooth transitions. That being said there are things we need to remember.

#1. Walkers:  In the later stages of your 5K you will be caught by the Bestie 10K runners.  This will not be an issue as long as you are aware of your surroundings.  If you are walking the SWIFTY 5K with a group of friends, walking more than two abreast could cause issues of blocking the road.    Seems pretty obvious but I have seen unpleasant interactions at races. Runners need to also be present and if you come upon a group that might be taking up too much space, gently let them know you are passing them on their left.  The roads have plenty of space.   

#2. Pumphouse Trail……the trail itself can and will cause some concerns.  Originally I had thought that all Pumpers would have cleared the trail but if you are a walker or slower runner (12 minute mile pace), a fast 7 minute mile 10K runner will catch up to you on this  trail.  When the faster runner approaches please step to your right and allow the faster runner to pass.  The runner should give you a courteous warning that they are approaching by saying “Runner on your left” giving you fair warning to step aside. We don’t have that many 10K runners so not even sure it is going to be an issue but please BE AWARE that it could.

#3  Pumphouse Trail and the Brickyard Creek Trail as well as the farm roads are part of a public accessed park which gets lots of use.  I will be putting out warning signs entering and exiting the trails well as the parking areas WARNING the public that we will be out in force for about an hour or so  to make sure if they continue to walk the trails to be aware of runners and to hopefully KEEP THEIR DOGS leashed.  (AND REMEMBER NO DOGS ARE ALLOWED IN THE RACE AND STROLLERS SHOULD ONLY BE ENTERED IN TSWIFT 5K).  Please be respectful of their right to use the park’s trails.   

#4. Dovetail Bridge:  SINGLE FILE ON THE BRIDGE in case a faster runner is approaching.

#5:  Besties 10Kers know that you cross over Farmstead Bridge to run the Pumphouse route that you will have to adjust to which side of the road you are on.

1). When you are approaching the barns with the Swifties you will want to stay to your right since you will veer off before the barns to go down to the road to start the Pumphouse loop route.

2)  As you approach from Planters Road in SWIFT the 2nd time and drop down to Dovetail Bridge you will want to make your way to the left side because just after you cross the bridge you will take a LEFT up to the Pumphouse Trail section.  Might have to do some maneuvering here.

3)  After finishing the Pumphouse Trail and you come back to the Roundabout and take a left to head up the hill you will want to stay to the left because at the top of the hill you will now take a left to take that 1500’ field loop to make up distance to make it a 10K.

4) When you re-enter a farm road that is the main route either from the Roundabout or the Field Loop you will always merge in with the race and other runners should see you and stay to their right.  There will be cones allowing smooth merging!

I know it sounds like a lot but trust me it will feel natural when you all are out there and I am pretty good at cones and signage!  Plus it is good to look at your course map beforehand. I put an example of the 4 signs at intersections where the Besties do something different either the 1st time like at the Y or the 2nd time at the other 3 intersections.  Besties you are YELLOW!

As for the disc golfers, they might be playing and they are good about pausing when walkers and runners are present.  I've yet to be hit but have heard FORE many times ha ha.

The Winter Run Roundabout is where the Pumphouse 5K and the TSwift 5K as well as the Bestie 10K runners will merge at  about the 2.38 mile mark.  Of course the Pumphouse 5K runners will get there at .55 miles for their 1.83 mile  Skagit Trail Builder's Pumphouse Trail and Access Road loop back to the Roundabout.  Besties will veer to the right before the barns leaving the finish loop around barn to the 5K runners.  Besties will come back to the Roundabout at 3.37 miles for their tour of the Pumphouse Loop before returning to the roundabout at 5.2 miles.  (Plenty of room for the merge up the road at 2.38 miles!)

There are 4 places where all three races are at an intersection where the Bestie10K has to do something different the 2nd time around so I will have 4 sandwich boards with directionals that are color coded to each race.  As you notice the Bestie first tiime follows the Swifties until the Y and follows the Pumpers the 2nd time until having to do a field loop to make it a true 10K Other directional signs are Red/Yellow for Swifties/Besties turns. Blue/Yellow for Pumper/Bestie Turns and final just Yellow for when 10K is on an uncharted route ha ha.

Apothecary Coffee has donated ten $10 gift cards for yummy treats or merchandise.  Bigfoots Treasure Chest is starting to grow. 

Shout out to Anytime Fitness volunteers who will be helping with 10K aide station, gatorade refreshments, and traffic safety at SWIFT Center.

Shout out to Skagit Running Company for donating some prizes for the Sasquatch Search.

Venture off route for a $20 gift certificate towards a yummy pizza.  There will be 3 of them out there waiting for you.

Thanks for pitching in Coconut Kenny's!