LAKE SONOMA 50
Oh man. The 10th Annual Lake Sonoma 50 is here. Something that our teammate, Nikki, has been working towards for a good deal of time, a culmination of years of mileage, and a half year’s worth of specific training. The 50 is full up. “Held on the rugged trails at Lake Sonoma, about 10 miles northwest of Healdsburg, the course is 86% single track and 9% dirt roads, with the first 2.4 miles on a paved country road. The race starts at 6:30 a.m.” Nikki is bib #107. For a full list of athletes and bib #’s see HERE! To track the racers, follow this LINK! Nikki and her support crew and teammate, Scarlett, along with Mitch (who is also racing), have been in Sonoma the last few days running in weather that far outweighs the likes of April in Washington. The Sonoma 50 is a Golden Ticket race for Western States (Up to 24 slots are reserved for winners of the Golden Ticket Races).
THE COURSE – “Is an out-and-back circumnavigation of the Warm Springs Arm of Lake Sonoma…The trail is relentlessly rolling with three significant climbs. There is about 10,500 ft. of elevation gain and equal amount of loss over the 50 miles…There are twelve creek crossings and it is likely that your feet will get wet in most – if not all – of them.”
On top of Nikki, we’re so excited to watch how it plays out for some of our faves – Keely Henninger (winner of the Chuckanut 50k last month), Stephanie Howe Violett, Mario Mendoza, Eric Senseman and Jim Walmsley.
Post race should be stellar, one, because Nikki will celebrate completing her first 50 miler, two – we love this – as the race states, “There is no running water, if you want to clean up after the race, we suggest you bring a solar shower and leave it on top of your car.” BA. The finish line food looks rad – tamales from Mateo Granados of Mateo’s Cocina Latina restaurant and delicious sandwiches from the World Famous Hamburger Ranch and Pasta Farm, along with Bear Republic Brewing Company‘s award-winning Racer 5 IPA. On top of all this, Sonoma 50 has set up a private wine tasting event the day after the race at Wilson Winery with award winning winemaker Diane Wilson. I mean, this race is legit.
DECEPTION PASS 1/2
Saturday, April 14th will also feature the Deception Pass 1/2 Marathon, where teammate, Aly has dominated over the years (1st in ’14, 2nd in ’15, 1st in ’16, 2nd in ’17); if the trending continues, she’s up for a win this year. We’re big fans of the Deception Trail 1/2 and all races under the Bellingham Trail Running Series.
The Deception Pass 1/2 will start and finish at West Beach at Deception Pass State Park, and will explore the coastal trails around the famous Deception Pass Bridge on the North end of Whidbey Island, offering stunning views of the water, deep green forests, rocky coastline and sweet PNW single track. The race also features a full marathon.
RAGE IN THE SAGE DUATHLON
Saturday, April 14th also boasts Leighton’s first multi-sport event of the season – a duathlon in Benton City, WA, hosted by 3 Rivers Road Runners, the first event in their Multisport series – Rage in the Sage Duathlon. It starts at Kiona Vineyards and Winery in Benton City, with a 2.5 mile run along the gravel and dirt roads that surround the Kiona Vineyards. It’s considered “totally cross country.” The cycle leg (mountain bike only), is 10 miles long and takes a few loops view the dirt roads through Kiona Vineyards and the neighboring Klipsun Vineyards. After the bike leg, racers repeat the first run to reach the finish line.
It would be sacrilege for us not to mention our complete and utter excitement over the imminent Boston Marathon! With friends competing and the ultimate showdown of American Female Distance Runners, we are chomping at the bit to stream the race. Odds are good for an American woman to win (the last one to was Lisa Rainsberger nee Weidenbach in 1985). Who will it be? Flanagan? Huddle? Linden? Hasay? For a great read on Letsrun.com check out the 2018 Boston Marathon Women’s Preview: Flanagan and Hasay and Huddle and Linden, Oh My!
Results and race recaps to follow, plus, also, maybe, a meltdown of excitement. Best of luck to all you racing! We can’t wait to be your cheerleaders behind the screens and on the roads!
