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deception pass 50K & 25k
DecemBER 10TH & 11TH, 2022        oak harbor, WA

Registration Closed
Overview 

Taking place at Deception Pass State Park which is named for the narrow and dramatic channel of water that separates Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands in the northern Puget Sound. The area is famous for it's rugged coastline, steep cliffs, dense forests and great views. The race covers just about every inch of the park, running at times right at sea level and other times high above on bluffs and hills and twice crosses the pass itself via the historic Deception Pass Bridge which sits about 180 feet above the water. There are no mountains or long climbs like many of our other Rainshadow Running Races but make no mistake Deception Pass races are still tough with it's technical footing, narrow, twisty trails and at times steep grades. They maybe be some of our faster courses but it's still a good challenge!
Distance: 50K
Date: Saturday December 10th
Elevation Gain: 4,300 ft
Elevation Loss: 4,300 ft
Aid Stations: 5

Cutoff Time: 8 hours
Price: $135
Distance: 25K
Date: Sunday December 11th
Elevation Gain: 3,000 ft
Elevation Loss: 3,000 ft
Aid Stations: 2

Cutoff Time: 6 hours
Price: $115
Distance: 1K Fun Run
Date:
Sunday December 11th
Elevation Gain: 30 ft
Elevation Loss: 30 ft
Aid Stations: 0

Cutoff Time: unlimited
Price: Free for All Kids

Timeline

Thursday June 2nd - Lottery Registration Opens
  • Sometime

Monday June 13th - Lottery Registration Closes
  • 11:59 pm

Tuesday June 14th - Lottery Winners announced
  • ​Sometime

Saturday December 10th - 50K
  • 7:00 am: Runner Check-in Begins at West Point Amphitheater (DON'T FORGET YOUR PHOTO ID)
  • ​7:45 to 8:30 am: 50K Starting Waves
  • ​10:30 am: Cut off at Bowman Bay, mile 7.3 (second time through)
  • 1:30 pm: Cut off at Cornet, mile 21.4 (second time through)
  • 3:25 pm: Cut off at Cornet, mile 28.2 (third time through) 

​​Sunday December 11th - 25K
  • 8:00 to 9:40am: Runner Check-in at West Point Amphitheater (DON'T FORGET YOUR PHOTO  ID)
  • ​8:30 am: Kids 1K Race Start
  • 9:00 to 9:40 am: 25K Race Starting Waves
  • 12:15 pm Bowman Bay, mile 7.3 (second time through)

COVID Plans

As guidance evolves we will continue to monitor the situation and adjust our COVID safety plans. Here are current plans for this race:​
  • Encouraging everyone to get vaccinated AND boosted
  • Asking that if you're sick that you stay home
  • Keeping everyone as spread out as possible by either keeping races small and or using "wave starts"
  • Reducing contact of surfaces and increased cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces.
  • Having volunteers use gloves and masks whenever preparing or handling food and drinks.
    ​
We've taken an intentionally conservative approach throughout the pandemic with all of our races with the goal to do our best to prevent further spread of the virus as there are still folks who are unvaccinated and it is possible to still get COVID even if you are vaccinated. Runners will get emails leading up to the race with more specific information and instructions tailored specifically for this year's race. ​​

Driving Directions

To get to the start/finish area at West Point Amphitheater at Deception Pass State Park, these directions should help.  Please park in the West Beach parking lot. The amphitheater is just to the east of the parking lot. Everyone needs to display a Discover Pass on their dash to park anywhere in Deception Pass State Park.  If you do not have one, there is a kiosk in the park where you can purchase a day pass or an annual pass. The rangers will be writing tickets for any vehicles not showing a Discover Pass.
​
No overnight parking or camping at the West Beach Parking lot/start/finish area(see below for camping options). 

Course Details

The course will be well marked with yellow and black arrow signs at each junction and pink/yellow confidence ribbons every 1/2 mile or so. Both races start at the West Point Amphitheater and run out along Cranberry Lake and run for about 1 mile on paved park roads before getting on single track trail. Both courses are mostly single track trails, sometimes smooth trail but just as often they're rocky and or rooty. The hills are relatively short but can be steep at times. 

The 50k starts out the same way as the 25k course but after going up and over Goose Rock the 50k does two lollipop-shaped loops in the Hoypus area before heading back to the finish.


Well behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. 

Kids 1K Fun Run course is a loop that runs partly through Cranberry Lake Campground(closed for the season) and partly on North Beach and finishes the same way as the 25k and 50k race courses. 
50K Course Details
25K Course Details

Aid Stations​

Each aid station will be stocked with water, Nuun electrolyte drink, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, fresh fruit, chips, pickles, and assorted cookies or candy. We will have a variety of gels, but we do ask that you only use those to supplement what you are providing for yourself.  There will also be first aid supplies and feminine hygiene products for issues that arise on the course.  

Our volunteers are tracking all runners at the aid stations, so please wear your bib visibly on the front of your body.  
​

50K: 
Bowman Bay, mile 5.5
Bowman Bay, mile 7.3
Cornet mile 14.6
Cornet, mile 21.4
Cornet, mile 28.2
25K: 
Bowman Bay, mile 5.5
Bowman Bay, mile 7.3

Cut-offs
​
In order to keep our race on schedule and within the time limits of our permits, we have cut off times at the aid stations.  If you are not leaving the aid station by the cut off time, you will be given a ride back to the finish area by staff or volunteers.  ​


50K: 
Bowman Bay, mile 5.5 -- No Cutoff
Bowman Bay, mile 7.3 -- 10:30am
Cornet mile 14.6 -- No Cutoff
Cornet, mile 21.4 -- 1:30pm
Cornet, mile 28.2 -- 3:25pm

25K: 
Bowman Bay, mile 5.5  -- No Cutoff
Bowman Bay, mile 7.3 -- 12:15pm

Although these are public trails, you are participating on them as a registered participant of our event and by signing up for the race, you agree to follow our rules and conditions for completing (or not completing) the race.  Our sweeps will be leaving right at cut off time, taking down course markings with them.  If you refuse to leave the course after cut off and end up getting lost or injured, requiring search and rescue, our permitting agency could look at that as negligence on our end (allowing runners on the course with no course markings or after the time we agreed to stop people).  We take this rule seriously and as it puts our permits in jeopardy, if any runner violates this rule, they may be subject to a ban from future races. ​

Drop Bags

​UPDATE: 50K Runners can have drop bags at Cornet Aid Station. No drop bags for 25K runners. No Drop bags at Bowman Aid Station.
Sorry for the change but with the wave starts it would greatly complicate getting the drop bags to the Bowman Aid Station before the runners got there. 
​

For those not familiar with drop bags, it's a way for you to have certain items at specific aid stations.  If you like to have a certain kind of nutrition or specific brand of electrolyte, you can put those in your bag and restock at the aid station instead of carrying it the whole way.  Some people leave extra layers of clothing, gloves or hats, or dry socks in their bags.  Runners are responsible for providing their own bag. 

There will be tarps set up at check-in, one for each aid station location, along with duct tape and sharpies.  Runners are allowed one bag per location and should be labeled with: name, bib number, and aid station name. Our volunteers will be transporting the bags to to the aid station and back to the finish once they close for the day.  

Runners can also leave a drop bag at the finish area for when they are done.  Plan to bring the bag during morning check in and there will be a designated tarp/tent to leave it during the race. 

Crew Access

Your friends and family can see you, cheer you on and support you at each of the aid stations but we do ask that they keep spread out and not get too close to the aid station tent/tables. 

Driving Directions to Bowman Bay Aid Station: 
From the start/finish parking lot drive back out to HWY 20 and turn left at the traffic light. Go across the bridge and turn right onto the first road on the right and then immediately turn right again and head down to the boat ramp/trailhead parking lot. The aid station should be easily spotted by the water/boat ramp. 

Driving Directions to Cornet Aid Station: 
From Bowman Bay aid station go back to HWY 20 and turn right, go across the bridge and turn right at the traffic light onto Cornet Bay Rd. Follow the road about 3 miles to the end of the road. The aid station is at the end of the road by the gate. 

Getting aid from your friends and family out on the course anywhere other than at the aid stations is against the rules of this race and may result in the runner being disqualified.  

Volunteers

We always need volunteers on race day and it is a great way to be a part of the event if you are not running.  Volunteers earn all kinds of perks; they get to eat and drink for free, are eligible for raffle prizes from our sponsors, and earn credit towards a future Rainshadow race! Volunteer shifts range from just a couple hours in the morning to an all day aid station or something at the finish area.  If you are new to volunteering, check out the job descriptions page to find the volunteer gig that is perfect for you! We promise you will have fun! 

If you are interested in volunteering for the race, please email us.

Picture





​Race Shirts

Race registration does not include a t-shirt, but runners have the option to purchase one during the registration process. 

Race artwork by Baylie Peplow of Red Umbrella Designs

Post Race Party

We're so happy to be able to have our post race parties again! Almost more than the races themselves! Fresh, delicious pizza handmade on site by our good friends at Pizza Rocks (they do GF and Vegan options grab one of the merry folks and ask them to make something for ya). Local beer and cider. Plus other food and drinks and music and all your running buddies all hanging out and cheering for each other at the finishline. ​

​Videos, Photos, Results & Race Reports

All of the past race results can be found on 
UltraSignup. To check out photos, media, and race reports from previous years, please choose the appropriate option below: 
  • Race Photos
  • Race Reports
  • Race Videos
  • Other Media
We would love to feature your race report on our website.  If you have one to share, please email it to info@rainshadowrunning.com! ​​
2021 25K Results          2021 25K Photos
​

2021 50K was cancelled due to extreme weather
Picture

Lodging & Camping

The closest hotel is the Fidalgo Country Inn, located about 15 miles from the race start.  There are plenty of lodging choices available in Anacortes and Oak Harbor, both of which are approximately 20 minutes from the start line. ​

There is camping in Deception Pass State Park at the Quarry Campground (Cranberry Lake Campground is closed during the winter). Reservations can be made online or by calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.

No camping/overnight parking at the start/finish parking lot area. 

​​​​Cancellations
​
By attending one of our races you agree to accept the terms of and abide by our cancellation policies, our COVID precautions, our race rules. our anti-discrimination policies and any other logistics or arrangements you that must adhere to. If you would like to get more information about any of this or discuss things further please email us at info@rainshadowrunning.com

​
If You Need to/Choose to Cancel Your Registration... 
​
Please fill out this form before race day to let us know you will not be participating in the race. After you fill out the form we'll email you to give you a coupon code for a credit that you can use for one of our future races. NO REFUNDS and NO BIB TRANSFERS.

The amount of credit is based on when you submit this form to cancel your registration:
​
  • 31 days or more before race day: 50% of your race entry fee + 100% of merchandise or anything else extra you ordered.
  • 30 days to 7days before race day: 50% of your race entry fee + 50% of merchandise or anything else extra you ordered.
  • Less than 7 days before race day or after race day: 0% of your race entry fee + 0% of merchandise or anything else extra you ordered.

The coupon code can be used for any Rainshadow race.

The coupon code will be good for two years from the date we email you your coupon code.

If you were in one of our "lottery" races you will be automatically selected if you register for that lottery again the following year.

We are no longer allowing runners to transfer or sell their bib/race entry to another runner. If in the future we can create a simpler system to do this we will bring this option back.

By registering for one of our races you agreed to accept the terms of and abide by our cancellation policy, our COVID precautions, our race rules and any other logistics or arrangements you that must adhere to. If you would like to get more information about any of this or discuss things further please email us at info@rainshadowrunning.com



If Rainshadow Cancels a Race... 

If we have to cancel an event for any reason (COVID, wildfire, acts of nature, etc.) we understand the disappointment to the participants. But it's something that does happen from time to time so you should be prepared for that possibility. 

We will do our best to notify runners as soon as we can but sometimes it may be a last minute situation.

All runners will be sent an email as soon as possible with information about the cancellation and any other pertinent info including what their options are and the deadline for letting us know their decision. If the reason for cancelling the race is something out of our control like something weather or COVID related we will likely offer runners a 50% credit towards a future race as the we see it both the runners and Rainshadow share the risk of a cancelled race equally. 

We understand how much money, energy, and time goes into training for an ultramarathon, so if we can make adjustments to our race plans instead of cancelling, that is our priority, but at the end of the day, the safety of our runners, volunteers, staff, and the general public will be the main factor in our decision to cancel. 
​

Contact Us
​

Questions? The race directors for this race and all Rainshadow Running races is James Varner and Katy Farrell.
​Email us at info@rainshadowrunning.com

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