CGRC - Carson to Stevenson Ridge Trail Run - 15K

The 2011 CRGC Carson to Stevenson Ridge Trail Run finished in a blaze with new course records for 18 & under Men's and Women's, as well as Women's Open. 

This race could not have been successful without Ben Shumaker's direction.  Roger ensured the course was well marked and we had lots of bottled water along the way.  A big thanks to Skamania County Parks and Recreation for sponsoring the event.  It seemed like our local Ambulance Service was around every corner.

Anna Bates, Sophie Miller, Chad Miller, Lori Latendress, and Andy Grossman picked up 600 lbs of trash along the route to make it "shine".

Race Report by Ivan Hooper:

The Columbia Gorge Running Club's 5th annual Carson to Stevenson 15K Ridge Run took place under a quick break in the rainy season this year.

I showed up at 6:30 at the fairgrounds disappointed that all of the espresso stands in town were closed. By 6:45, the first few hearty souls began showing up, and piling in the Party Van. We assembled 10 or 12 of us, and took the short ride up to the start in Carson.

Following the final flurry of sign-in/ups, the walkers departed shortly after 8:00 AM (on time for Skamania county). A few brief conversations later, during which Gary Daubenspeck gently explained to the rest of us how he was "out of shape" after running the Boston Marathon, the runners took off at 8:34, still on time for Skamaina county...

The racers ran thru the school lot, and out onto the county road, after about a quarter mile, Gary kindly stopped and pretended to tie his shoe to let the rest of us catch up. We dashed across the small amount of pavement, and leaned into the ever-steeper hill, winding our way up and over the race's namesake: the RIDGE. It seemed more like a cliff to me, and I swear I saw some of the more prepared runners making their way up with ropes...

After what seemed like an eternity, but was really only around a 5K, we were greated with the sweetest word of the day "SUMMIT" laid in flour on the road in front of us. The pace quickened as we wound our way down the steep vintage logging road, to be greeted once again by the glorious sight of asphalt, and EMS crews ready to treat our altitude sickness.

The asphalt road was a welcome site as it could not be near as steep as the goat path that we had just traversed. Oh, but it could. And it was. Around mile 7 the descent was mercifully broken, by another hill. A hearbreaker, as my legs were just getting used to the falling sensation I had experienced for the last 4 miles.
A quick jaunt through Stevenson, and we were greeted by the sweet scent of the Sewer Treatment Plant, which could only mean we were getting close to the end. Another three quarters of a mile to go. Come on, you can do it.  We managed to weave our way around the oputside of the fairgrounds, catching a glimpse of the finish line.

But that too was not to be. We turned, a hard right, and ran away from the finish tent! But quickly the path turned back and looped around, bringing us ever nearer. Once again, the finish was within reach! A quick hard push, and we were done!!! What an epic eventure. I can (hardly) wait til next year to do it again. I think it may take that long for my quads to forget the torture that I put them through this morning.

Your Humble Scribe,
Ivan

Race Report by Lori Cannon:

This was my second time doing the Ridge Run, which made it more fun knowing that the giant hill didn’t REALLY go on forever! Dropped my car off in Stevenson at 7:15 and then had the hubby drop me and my two youngest daughters off at the start.

Alisha knew I wanted to beat my previous years time and so she brought Katie our 1 y/o Pomchi to run with her. Started off not raining too badly, it seemed we had quite a few new walkers this year who hadn’t done this one before.

Alisha, Malia and I started at 8:00 with the walkers. The 3+ miles of uphill was still very difficult, but not as difficult as it had been last year. The runners started passing me on the last of the uphill climb, so I made it farther than last year before I was lapped.

There was plenty of support with the EMTs watching over us, with plenty of water at several points along the way. No wind until we got down closer to the river, but the rain was pretty steady. Malia kept up with me most of the whole run with Alisha only 25 minutes behind us. Katie ran the whole thing on her little bitty legs! She’ll probably sleep all day. I managed to make it in under 3 hours which was my main goal! Can’t wait until next year, although I doubt I’ll get the girls to EVER do it again!

Race Report by Louis Glatz:

I would like to thank you for the Ridge Run Race.  You and all the volunteers did a great job.

The course was perfect, exactly how I thought it was going to be, very challenging.

I took my Mom out for Mother's day and every step I took reminded me of  the Ridge Run.  From my waist down I am so sore from the pounding of down hill.

I really wanted to win this race, not sure what made me so aggro about it since I am a few pounds over weight and ran like a pansy at last weekends Doubis Park 5k, finishing second.

To the summit I let the leader have it.  On the Downhill I ran with reckless abandon throwing any kind of form to the wind.  I knew Gary was behind me but the thought of him was fleeting, (no disrespect G).  My focus and aggression at this point was on the man I could not see.  Within a half a mile or so I could see him and as I passed he said "I thought you were a 4 wheeler", I was breathing loud and hard.

His steps did not receed from ear shot.  After the rocks he pulled up along side and we chatted.  I new I was in trouble when he told me he had broken his collar bone running a few weeks eailer and was just taking it easy.  I told him I saw he was favoring his left arm.

I wanted to make his victory a painfully sweet one, so I pounded on like a UFC fighter knowing that this injured guy beside me was probaly going to win but wanting to let him know he would have to work for it.

We were shoulder to shoulder at the six mile mark and I turned to him and said this would make a good photo op.  Not long after he broke away and  took command.  My legs were shot and I finish second.  The best man had won, but I was very proud that I ran well over my head and finished.

Once again thank you for the course the pain the sorness and the fun, "running ya gotta love it".