Festival 542/RUN 542

8.5 Mile Trail Run/Walk

**Times and course may change; check back for updates**

START TIMES:

1:00 pm: Recreational Start

2:00 pm: Competitive Start

CATEGORIES:

Recreational: all age groups, random prizes

M & W: (8-9, 10-12,) 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75+

(12 & under must run/walk with an adult)

Competitive: all age groups, cash prize purse, $100 for the 100M sprint, $100 KOM, $500 for first to break 1:10:00 (men), or 1:15:00 (women) 

M & W: 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75+

COST:

• 1/2 price entry if you do the Fairhaven 15K in the morning and head up the hill.  The Flatlander/Highlander Challenge.   (bring proof of entry registration/or results list and your number). 
  
• Recreational: $35 by 5/31, $45 by 8/31, $55 by 9/10
• Competitive: $45 by 5/31, $55 by 8/31, $65 by 9/10
• Add $10 for Shuttle Service from Glacier. 
• (price includes: RUN 542 Socks, EAT 542 dinner on Saturday evening in Glacier, random merchandise rewards, participant medal, and an amazing course!
• 12 and under and 70+ are half price (registration fee only).

REGISTRATION: 

• The Flatlander/Highlander Challenge. 1/2 price deal if you do both the Fairhaven 15K and RUN 542.  Bring proof of your 15K registration and get 1/2 off your entry...you've earned it.   
  
• 500 max (250 Recreational, 250 Competitive)
• Register on Active.com or download & mail in by 9/7.
• Shuttle service available for $10.  
• Day-of Registration also in Glacier from 10:30-12pm at the registration center.
  
• Day-of Registration opens at: 12:00pm at the White Salmon Lodge at the Mt. Baker Ski Area. 
   
  

COURSE DETAILS:

 2011 COURSE Changes: 

Due to 20ft of snow at Artist Point, and no safe way to cover our participants, the course is altered slightly.  The map will not be changed so please read below and look over the map.  Finish line is at the Heather Meadows Visitors Center.  This is a kick-butt course, even without Artist Point. 

Distance is nearly the same, with slightly less vertical overall but will still kick your butt!! 

In brief:
Run starts as normal from White Salmon all the way to top of chair 2.
At the top of Chair 2 (at Aid Station 1) course will alter and go left
up the Pan Dome Trail (instead of across and down to Bagley Lakes).
Runners follow route up and over Chair 1, back down to the Lake Ann
Crossing then turn Right back down Wild Goose back to the HMVC.
Runners will stay along west side of parking lot coming out of Wild
Goose from Austin Pass Parking Lot, cross at the designated crosswalk
then left and down the hill slightly towards the HMVC.  Runners will
turn Right onto the trail and follow standard course down towards the
east end of Bagley Lakes, where runners follow standard course along
north side of Lake then up towards the HMVC and runners will finish at
the HMVC.

This changes allows us to avoid any open road crossing, maintains
nearly the same course distance and we only loose the distance/climb
from Lake Ann to Artist Point.  Runners will still finish with the
granite climb up to the HMVC.  

**Map is posted.  Please do NOT pre-run the course within the Mt. Baker Ski Area. 

RUN542 climbs nearly 3500 total feet over 8.4 miles of very rough access roads and technical single track in, around and through the legendary Mt Baker Ski Area and the Mt. Baker/Snoqualmie National Forest. Starting at the White Salmon Base Area (el. 3500ft), under the magnificent glaciers of Mt. Shuksan, the course climbs 6 separate and challenging ascents, laced with 5 descents, and tops out at Artist Point (el. 5140ft.) Be aware that you cross SR542 three times – crossing guards will be stationed but please use caution, cars have the right of way. There will be other trail users on the trails; please be courteous to all! 

BEARS:  This is the wilderness and bears are a part of that.  If you spot a bear, PLEASE stop and wait for them to move away.  DO NOT APPROACH BEARS!!!  It is their home.  Bears can become aggressive, especially if cubs are present.  DO NOT RISK yourself or other runners.

SNOW: Parts of the run course are covered with snow.  All sections of snow have a path cut into them but there are risks of thin snow at any point, especially near the edges.  Please use caution at all times and tread lightly.  We will do our best to mark thin sections. 

AID STATIONS:  Sponsored by BELLY TIMBER

There will be ONE neutral Aid Station that you'll hit twice at 4 and 5 miles. This is also your ‘bail-out’ location if you need to stop.   Restrooms available here.

TRAINING:

BE PREPARED. There is NO pre-running the course below Heather Meadows. This is a special use event and is for one day per year only. Please respect the Ski Area as they are doing important summer work to keep our winters fun and safe. Check out the Bellingham YMCA and Fairhaven Fitness for a fun training program.

REWARDS: Just getting to the TOP!!!

• GREEN REWARD for Competitive Runners: $500 to win and break the Threshold Time. 1:10:00 for men, 1:20:00 for women, plus top 3 in each age category and top 10 overall, plus merchandise. 
  
• Recreational PRIZE PURSE: Merchandise Rewards and Participant Medals.
• EAT 542 - meal in Glacier on Saturday night from 5-8pm. All registered 542 runners will get a free meal…just show your bib number. $5.42 per additional meal.