Backcountry Rise Insights

1. What do you like best about this course? What inspires you to organize the race year after year?

Backcountry Rise is a "one of one", without question.  First and foremost, the remote nature of the course creates numerous challenges, for RD's, runners and volunteers alike!  That said, "remote" and "trail runners" are essentially magnets.  The quiet, isolation, big climbs, runnable varied terrain, dramatic ridgelines, lakefront, and massive views are extremely appealing to outdoor enthusiasts.  Knowing that, as a runner, I have to also be very self reliant in this region is attractive as well.  With only three aid stations over 50k, with significant distances between each, means runners need to be on point with managing their needs for the duration of the race.  The typically humid, sweat enducing early morning start turns to dry and full exposure to the elements as you climb.  Additionally, this route keeps runners between 4,000-5,600 feet for the majority of the course.  There is a reason this course is our only "proof of experience required" race we host in our line up, and sets itself apart as a unique event for us.

Very similarly to our other events, we love hosting Backcountry Rise every year because it is an area near and dear to our hearts and we get extremely excited about the opportunity to show this area to a broad audience.  It can be extremely difficult to get in and out of these areas of the backcountry, so we want to create an opportunity for people to safely experience it.  We've found that if people are able to see the manifigance this area, they're more likely willing to advocate for its protection so future generations can experience a literally life changing part of our world.  

2. What is unique about your local running community?

We are such fans of the running community!  We hope everyone has an opportuity to race with us, but at the end of the day we simply want to see humans in motion.  Get outdoors, be present with where your feet are, and soak in the experience of being next to one another and doing fun/hard things (even if it's Type-2)!  Additionally, we've found more and more people willing to embrace the "your turn this time, my turn next time" racer-volunteer mentality.  So many good hearted people will volunteer at one event, support their fellow trail runner, then take the opportunity to race the next event.  It becomes a cyclical nature of "you supported me, now I'm going to support you" that is the very core of trail running.  The local running community does an outstanding job with embracing that philosophy, and we are extremely grateful for them!

3. If the course were a piece of art, would you classify it as a painting, music composition, film or graffiti? Does it remind you of any specific artistic piece/genre?

Oh my, if I were to compare Backcountry Rise to an artisitic style I would say it would be in the abstract expressionist, Jackson Pollock vein.  It's something that may not make sense at first glance until you're there really looking at it with honest eyes.  You look at it, study it, experience it, take a step back from it, then embrace it...that's where the beauty and magic is.

4. Think back over the years...do you have any funny/scary/interesting stories about this race you can share?

Backcountry Rise is no stranger to funny, scary, or interesting!  It's in the name, but Backcountry requires acceptance of an increased self reliance and grit.  Extraction from the course is largely based on your own two feet or a helicopter!  Thankfully, we've never had to get a helicopter!  One of our favorite parts of the entire course is the first and final half-mile of the course.  The course starts with the super fun 500' rip down the Elk Bench trail to begin the main portion of the route, and ends with the same 500' climb to the finish.  We jokingly refer this final climb after a long day on the trail as "Jeremy's Justice".  Many, many (many!) runners have "appreciated" this last reminder that they can do REALLY hard things.

5.  What advice do you have for runners preparing to participate in the Wy’east Wonder?

As I've mentioned multiple times already, Backcountry Rise should not be your first trail race regardless of distance.  Any runner will tell you that first hand expereince is your best teacher, and the Mt. Margaret backcountry is not the place to obtain it.  If you've never run in the backcountry, or even a 50k distance, we have a lot of other options for you!  Get the experience, learn what works for you, and then join us for the ultimate test in the shadow of Mt. St. Helens!