angels staircase CANCELLED DUE TO EXTREME WILDFIRES

post written by Matt & Kerri Stebbins

The Carlton Complex fast became the largest wildfire in Washington State History. Photo via the Associated Press.

It is with extremely heavy hearts we announce that the 2014 Angels Staircase 60k/35k races scheduled for August 9th & 10th this year are cancelled due to EXTREME wildfires in the area. It's the first Rainshadow Running Race to ever be cancelled and we did not make this decision lightly. At this point everyone's safety (runners, volunteers, emergency responders) has to be our top priority. After consulting with the Forest Service and after monitoring the conditions in the area for the past week it does not look likely that by Aug 9th and 10th the race can be done safely. Even if the fires (which are currently surrounding the race course) are put out in time there are many other factors that could make the race unsafe and or inappropriate to put on a midst all the destruction to the surround towns, communities, forests and other infrastructure. Also considering the remoteness of this race and the fact that the emergency responders are already taxed and spread thin, we would not want to further burden them if more fires broke out in the area, or if there were to be an emergency on the course.

Many more details [including how to help the communities most devastated by these fires] can be found in the email we just sent to all registered runners: http://tinyurl.com/kvyc6zz

This is a total worse-case scenario for us, but a decision that had to be made due to the sheer magnitude and location of these fires. Thank you for your support and understanding. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hestitate to email us at [email protected].