I was one of the lucky few selected in the lottery to take on the 2025 edition of the Cascade Crest 100, an iconic ultra trail race in the heart of the Cascade Mountain range in Washington State. Run entirely by volunteers, the race is considered one of the “old school” ultras, which was evident in it’s laid back, “we have been around the block a few times” kind of vibe, that left me feeling like I was being welcomed into a community that would do everything possible to ensure I got to leave Easton with lots of fond memories and a shiny new belt buckle.

Like most runners who have attempted a 100-mile race or longer, I went through lots of highs, lows and even very lows, but ultimately finished with a great sense of accomplishment and many stories that I’m sure I’ll entertain and bore my family and friends with for years to come. Rather than give you a blow by blow description of my race, I will just give you a selection of thoughts and reflections under the headings of “I wish I hadn’t”, “I wish I had” and most importantly, “I’m really grateful for”. So without further ado..

I wish I had…

Trained a lot more for this race (famous last words of every runner :)). Due to a range of (old age) ailments, I only did 8 weeks of training for the race (including a 2 week taper), which really isn’t enough for any 100 mile race, especially one with 24000 feet of elevation gain and loss!

Paced myself better (second lot of famous last words of most endurance runners). A classic example of a pacing error was charging out of the Mineral Creek aid station (Mile 75!) like I was doing 1 km hill repeat (the climb was 7-miles (~11 km) long with 3000 feet (900 metres) of elevation gain), and was followed by three shorter, but much steeper climbs (aka “the cardiac needles”)

Spent more time soaking myself in the beautifully clear, cool streams that were dotted throughout the course. I felt just a little bit too warm for most of the race and always felt 100% better after exposing just my lower extremities to the cold water.

Had the opportunity to wear a top similar to that worn by this year’s Western States 100 winner Caleb Olsen, which my instinct and rudimentary knowledge of environmental physiology tells me would have done a slightly better job at keeping cool and protected from the afternoon sun (and less likely to leave me with really badly chaffed underarms :)), but probably just as likely to be arrested by the fashion police (see below).

I wish hadn’t

Smashed my left middle toes into some rocks, then smash the same toes again 5 miles later, all before before reaching half way.

Carried a lot of gels and candy with me, which after 20 miles, were about as appealing as moldy cheese and boiled cabbage

Spent so much time worrying about things that don’t matter a whole lot e.g. whether to wear a hat or visor (I ended up wearing both), the wicking capacity and colour of the top I was going to wear, and dedicated more time to the things that matter a lot more e.g. studying the elevation profile, training 🙂

I am grateful for….

The cheers and encouragement of the folks doing the Pacific Crest Trail (32 miles of the course is on the PCT)

For the aid station volunteers at Mineral Creek aid station for playing Ice, Ice baby while I changed my shoes and readied myself for the long climb ahead

For my good friend Holly who first got me into trail running

For the vasoline at all the aid stations which helped stop my chaffed underarms from getting really bad

For all the photographers who captured on film the moments of joy, beauty, agony and pain out on the course (see some samples below).

For the guy who vomited his guts up at the Keechelus Ridge Aid Station, reminding me that there were lots of people feeling way worse than me on the course

For people who invented canned and pureed fruit, which along with Boost drink, were about the only foods I could tolerate in the second half of the race

For the photographer, and multi-time finisher of the race, who gave me some really useful course insights and pacing tips for the course, none of which I followed :). And took the photo below

For the early morning light at Lake Kachess (see below)

For the the superstar of a volunteer who patched up my battered toenail at the Mineral Creek aid station, and for the volunteer firefighter who attended to it at the end

For Sue Lott (Physiotherapist), Farley Johansson (Massage Therapist), Dee Stasulli (Strength and Conditioning coach) and Julia Martorana (Chiro) for helping to keep my body functioning well enough to start the race

For the person who made the 3 milkshakes I downed in quick succession after crossing the finish line

For all the fellow runners who kept me company on the trail, especially Greg (see picture below) and his pacer, who guided me through the Trail from Hell after I had taken a wrong turn

For the view from French cabin (see below), and for indeed for all the stunning views out of the course

For the volunteers who complemented me on my Rabbit High Country running top

For my “virtual crew”, made up of family and friends from across the globe, who provided me with the drive and inspiration to keep going during the low moments out on the course

For my dear friend Sharon for being my actual crew, driving me all the places I needed to be and supplying a much needed hug when I crossed the finish line.

And finally for all the volunteers who filled my bottles, poured water over my head, applied sunscreen to my sweaty body, filled my ice bandana, fed me warm potato soup, offered encouragement and made me laugh at times when all I wanted to do was sit down and cry.

Additional notes

For a great short documentary on the race, check out “Amongst The Evergreens” by the Ginger runner.

For more detailed insights into the race, check out the reviews by the folks at Team Run Run, or this review by a gentlemen who completed a previous edition of the race.

Now completely left field, if you are looking for some really nice food in a beautiful outdoor setting, check out Yodelin in Leavenworth. My friend Sharon and I had dinner there the night after the race. With a really entertaining band playing on a balmy summers night, it was just the perfect way to finish what had had been fun and rewarding weekend away.