from the submitted press release

Good Turnout for Trail Run at Moran Park

The wind, sleet and snow did not stop 113 trail runners from
starting the 2nd annual Orcas Island Trail Runs at Moran State Park. Runners
chose one of two distances - 25 kilometers (approximately 15 miles) with
3700 feet elevation gain or 50 kilometers and 7700 feet elevation gain.

The good turnout slowed the registration, and delayed the scheduled
8:30 a.m. start by about 10 minutes.Runners who assembled at Camp Moran
checked their equipment, clothing, water and food choices. Family and
friends wished them well.For some it would be a long day.

Out the window, sleet fell and high winds were expected in the
afternoon.Snow was seen through the clouds on the upper elevations of Mt.
Constitution - where most of the run would occur.

The trail had been marked the day before with tape, and in response
to concerns raised last year, no directions were painted on the ground.

The race started with the ringing of the bell and the runner easily
ran downhill across the meadow and promptly got their feet wet and muddy for
the first time.

After 2 miles, near Cascade Falls, the runners split into two
groups.The 50K group took the Southeast Boundary Trail to the summit of
Mt. Pickett, then ran down to Cascade Falls, and then to Camp Moran to
re-supply.From camp they made their way to the North Arch and climbed
nearly to the top of Mt. Constitution via the famously steep "Power Line"
Trail. Joining the seldom used North Boundary Trail they ran down to
Mountain Lake before again climbing Mt. Constitution this time taking the
Little Summit Trail. Finally the runners dropped down to Twin Lakes and once
again wrapped around the backside of Mt. Constitution and made their final
descent down to the finish at Camp Moran.

The 25K group took a shortcut, saving themselves the extra 16 miles
of running the 50k folks would do.The shortcut led the 25k runners along
cascade creek up to the Mountain Lake where they then proceeded to go
straight to the top of Mt. Constitution following the Little Summit Trail.

At the 25K distance, Todd Brittain, 22 of Bellingham was the
first to arrive in two hours and twenty two minutes(2:22); the first female
runner, Jenny Knight, 35 of Vancouver, arrived in 2:43.

At the 50 K distance Kyle Skaggs, 22 of Los Alamos, New Mexico,
arrived in 4:30; the first female runner, Merita Trohimovich, 40, of
Gig Harbor arrived in 6:22.

The last runner arrived after 9:22 hours on the course. There were runners
of all ages and experience levels including a good number doing something
like this for the first time ever and eight runners over 64 years young with
the oldest at a spry 78!

When they returned to Camp Moran the runners found smiling faces to
greet them, a warm fire and fresh homemade soup. But with these type of runs
there are no awards, no medals, and not even a free t-shirt.The runners
come for the challenge, the camaraderie, and for the simple fun of it.

Few trail runners were slowed by the weather."Bad weather
makes you run faster," remarked Randy Gaylord, who completed the 25K.
"Besides there wasn't a view to take in but the up-close scenery with
the snow was splendid," said Gaylord.

Many of the runners were making their first visit to the San Juan
Islands.There were runners from four western states, two Canadian
Provinces and one runner from Sweden.

The Race Director, James Varner of Olympia, was pleased with the turnoutHe
credits the beauty of Moran State Park and the San Juan Islands for the
growing popularity of the event.And quite a few of this year's
participants are already excited to return again next year.

Varner wanted to thank Park Ranger Chris Guidotti and the staff at
Moran State Park for their support and clearing many blow downs from the
trail, and Rolf Erickson and Erling Manley for their help.

To find out more information about the run, others like it in the northwest
and general information on trail running you can check out the website:
www.capitolpeakultras.com or call (360) 507-4819.