The weather was perfect for trail running Saturday at the eighth annual Vashon Island Ultramarathon &Trail Run, which drew 135 runners from around the country to the island to enjoy the forested trails.
Karen Wiggins of Belfair, who has finished more than 130 ultramarathons, declared it the most perfect day to run an ultra.
“Vashon Ultra is an island gem smack in the middle of a big metro area, but you would never know it as it’s a small community and is organized by some of the friendliest folks,” she said, commenting on the event, which marked the fifth time she has run the Vashon race. “You should add this one to your calendar next year for sure.”
Most of the trails that zigzagged in and around Island Center Forest were dry, but for a mud bog that was purposefully chosen to add a bit of difficulty. The events — a 50K ultramarathon and a 10-mile trail run — started and ended at the Open Space and formed a loop utilizing the trails of Island Center Forest and Fisher Pond. The course included two check points every 10 miles, where runners could replenish their food and water. At the finish, everyone enjoyed refreshments and a buffet of excellent food as they cheered on the runners.
There were many firsts at this year’s event, with many of the 50K runners experiencing their first ultramarathon. They were treated to what can only be called the “spirit of Vashon,” from the over 38 volunteers who helped to host the Ultra, which drew runners from as far away as Florida. The 50K included a one-two finish by the husband and wife team of Steve and Gina Slaby of Seabeck; Gina set a new course record for women, finishing second overall to Steve in a time of 3 hours and 47 minutes.
Care was shown to every runner, from the front-runners to the recipient of the Red Lantern Award, given this year to 79-year-old Bob Norton of Huntington Beach, California. He’s a three-time Ultra finisher who ran the 50K in eight hours and 48 minutes. Norton has 25 years of ultra experience. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Sam Knight of Vashon was the youngest ultra runner and finished the race with an impromptu knee brace torn from his T-shirt after a near fall.
Beyond the new course record set by Gina Slaby, this year was a bit different from past years due to a greater proportion of women running and more runners from out of state, who were drawn to Vashon for its unique and non-commercial nature, something not found in highly commercialized, for-profit runs. Sisterhood, brotherhood and familyhood were obvious, with many finishers coming across together in a two- or three-way tie. One extended family (10 members) from Sacramento came to Vashon specifically to run this event and experience Vashon Island.
Some runners that ran in the inaugural 2010 race came back to re-experience the event, including 2010 winner and first-time women’s record holder Yitka Winn. She ran her first ultra at Vashon in 2010 and, after landing a writing job at Trail Runner Magazine, she moved to Colorado; however, missing her hometown of Seattle, Winn recently moved back and returned to Vashon’s ultra, improving her time by over 80 minutes from her first try. In the intervening years she had accumulated 22 ultra finishes, including six 100-mile races. Winn is an example of what the Vashon Island Ultramarathon &Trail Run hopes to accomplish, which is an introduction to trail running in general, and ultramarathon events in particular.
The event’s popular 10-mile trail run drew over half the total participants. The women’s race was won by 25-year-old islander Laura Krogman, and the men’s race was won by Paul Young of Normandy Park.
— Bruce Cyra is co-race director of the Vashon Ultra along with Kevin Kim-Murphy.
