Mount St. Helens
If there was ever a chance to see Bigfoot, it would be on a foot race that goes through 200 miles of his supposed territory.
Between Aug. 7 and Aug. 11, some of the most intense runners in the country will have a chance to put their skills to the test in a first of its kind 200-mile footrace starting at the south side of Mount St. Helens and ending in Randle. The 4-day endurance trek climbs more than 50,000 feet in elevation and sees 96,000 feet of elevation change. The course features five sleep stations with hot food, medical supplies and crew access. However, runners are only allowed five hours of sleep per stop. There will also be 14 full aid stations serving the needs of the participants along the route.
According to the event promoters, the Bigfoot 200 is the first ever point-to-point 200-mile race in the United States. Runners will traverse the side of a volcano, mountain ridgelines, and old growth forests and cross countless streams.
Unlike many long races, the race is not staged. Racers are timed from the second they leave the starting line to the second they cross the finish line. Racers will have 108 hours to complete the course. That’s an average of 45 miles per day.
Part of the requirements for entering the race is mailing the event director a pound of whole bean, non-decaffeinated coffee and a Bigfoot photo, sticker, or statue (a live specimen would also be accepted, promoters quipped). According to the runner’s manual, “The race director will need the caffeine to make this event a success. Those entrants who do not meet these requirements will forfeit their entry.”
Because participants will be traveling such long remote distances, they are recommended to bring a water filter, headlamps, a list of emergency contacts and weather appropriate clothing.
Also, to qualify for the run, applicants must meet two requirements; they must complete eight hours of trail work and complete a 100-mile mountain race or two 100-mile non-mountain races.
For the slightly less intense, a Bigfoot 120-mile endurance run will be offered in October from Mount Adams to Mount St. Helens. Although it is shorter, the 120 will still feature more than 32,000 feet of overall elevation gain.
The events are organized by Candice Burt and Richard Kresser, two members of a team of people who have created other long endurances races in Lake Tahoe, California, Bellingham and Cle Elum.
