The Cascade Crest Classic

The Cascade Crest 100 (aka the Cascade Crest Classic or CCC) is a 100-mile foot race run largely within the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest near Snoqualmie Pass, WA. By Washington standards, CCC is a historic 100-miler, having been run since 1999. With 30+ miles on the Pacific Crest Trail, a run through the abandoned Snoqualmie Railroad Tunnel, and a good chance you catch sunrise from near the Domerie Divide between Lakes Cle Elum and Kachess, it is uniquely Pacific Northwest.

Alongside the Plain 100, it is one of two mountain 100-milers within an hour drive of our home base at the confluence of the Wenatchee and Icicle Rivers. Given the proximity, history, and small size of the event, I've been stoked to run sections of the course and check out the cool scene that Rich and Adam have cultivated at CCC and the course preview, Needles 50k. Last year involved a modification of the course due to fires in the Teanaway but, judging from the events at the Easton Firehouse, you'd never tell that there had been any inconvenience. It went off without a hitch and some fast finishes, which, considering the added elevation gain, was pretty damn impressive.

The Jolly Mountain Fire flaring up to the north of the 2017 running of CCC. Photo taken from below Goat Peak.

Only 160 lucky women and men get a chance to race the CCC loop each year, so the race has less of the mega race feel you might get at a large 100-mile event, like Leadville or UTMB, or even Utah's Wasatch and Bear 100s . Although low-key, CCC has sixteen full service aid stations, a water stop and bumping finish line festivities. Abundant, cheerful, and largely long-time volunteers make sure that everything is swell for runners and crew.

In the next few weeks, I'll be sharing some maps and course summary graphics that I've put together for CCC 100. If you're checking out the rapidly filling North American hundred-mile race calendar for 2018, then be sure to get your lottery entry in for CCC between tomorrow, New Year's Day, 2018, and February 5th for the annual running of CCC this August 25th-26th, 2018.