Timberline Marathon

I’ve decided to scrap my plans to run the Chelan Marathon in exchange for the Timberline Marathon. on September 13, 2008.  I hate running on the streets amongst traffic and Chelan was going to be entirely on roads amongst traffic. Yuk! I just recently learned about the Timberline Marathon and a friend and I have decided to run this together. 26.2 miles of dirt. The entire race is on trails. The race starts on Mt. Hood in Oregon. The first two miles are above the tree line and the last race evidently had fresh snow at the beginning last year. I’m hoping that is not the case this year. The good news is that most of the run is downhill. 3000 feet of elevation loss! Very cool. The course follows a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. This trail runs from Canada to Mexico. My biggest fear with this race isn’t the 26.2 miles of high elevation trail running, although it should be. My biggest fear is the bees. Every report I read and even the registration warns of the yellow jackets. Apparently everybody gets bitten or stung (not sure what yellow jackets do). I have a huge bee phobia. I can deal with riding 120 mph on a motorcycle (not that I would ever do that……again) or 140 mph in a car (not that I would ever do that………again) but bees, now they bother me. I’m sure I’ll cope somehow.

This will be my second marathon this year. First one will be Haulin Aspen in August. Yes I know, I’m nuts.

Check out some of the cool photos that I stole (I mean borrowed). All photos courtesy of Rogue Multi Sport.