Sawtooth Ridge 50M: 2021 runner update #3: POTENTIAL RACE CANCELATION
Runners –
Since our email update yesterday, the National Weather Service upgraded their heat advisory to an excessive heat warning. Here is an excerpt: “Unprecedented triple-digit heat” will result in “one of the most extreme and prolonged heat waves in the recorded history of the Inland Northwest.”
Considering the exceptionally remote nature of our course – there’s only one vehicle-accessible aid station after mile 8.3! – we believe that hosting the race during a heat warning presents undue risk to our runners and volunteers, and potentially burdens local emergency services that could otherwise be serving at-risk populations. As the heat warning notes, it’s important to “check up on relatives and neighbors.”
As of this email, the heat warning is in effect until Thursday evening. The extended forecast for Methow, WA – which is about nine miles from the start – suggests the NWS will likely extend the heat warning into the weekend. (The NWS issues an excessive heat warning “when the heat index is expected to reach or exceed…105 degrees.”)
Monday: 110
Tuesday: 114
Wednesday: 112
Thursday: 108
Friday: 108
Saturday: 105
Sunday: 105
Our primary responsibility as race directors (and fellow runners) is to keep a variety of stakeholders safe, and triple-digit temperatures in a secluded, mountainous environment seriously inhibit our ability to do so. (Remember when we were concerned about much for concerns about running on snow!)
With that in mind, we are considering cancelling the event. We will make a final go/no-go decision by 7:00pm PT on Monday, June 28th. By Monday, the race-day forecast will be clearer, and we can make a more informed decision.
Candidly, we expect to cancel the event. We say this to set expectations early, particularly among runners who may be travelling from out of town. There is, however, a reasonable chance that temperatures abate. Depending on the direction and pace of the heat system, next weekend could be in the high 80s or low 90s, in which case, we’d feel comfortable holding the event.
If we cancel the event, we will issue you a 100% refund or roll you over to 2022 – your preference.
Thanks for bearing with us. Ultras, especially backcountry ultras, are supposed to be tough. But “tough” has limits, and we have to recognize them and hold ourselves accountable. It’s far easier to write this update email to all of you, than a check-in email to a runner who suffered renal failure. We hope you understand.
Our fingers and toes are crossed for a shift in the weather – for reasons far beyond our race — and we hope to send a “let’s do this!” email on Monday. Until then, feel free to contact us.
Thanks, folks.
Denis & Colin