Fort Ebey State Park is a scenic destination in the middle of Whidbey Island. Originally built to protect Puget Sound from naval invasion, its stunning beachfront bluffs have commanding views onto the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Runners will line up at 10 AM at the Gun Battery picnic area, perfectly situated to take in the view. The mostly rolling route winds through and among forested kettle depressions, with many gently-flowing trails, as well as sections with more twists and turns. There are many short-to-moderate ups and downs but very few large hills, but still the overall climb is moderate-to-high. The trail surfaces are mostly a bit smoother than normal for the Northwest, probably due to the geology of this area.
Aid Stations
There are three aid stations, one on both the 10k loop and the Half-Marathon loop, another on the Half-Marathon loop only, and a third adjacent to the start/finish.
Here are the approximate aid station distances by run distance:
- 10 km, 1 aid station stop: 3.2 miles
- Half Marathon, 2 aid station stops: 3.2, 8.5 miles
- 20 mile, 4 aid station stops: 3.2, 8.5, 13.1, 16.3 miles
- Marathon, 5 aid station stops: 3.2, 8.5, 13.1, 16.3, 21.6 miles
The aid stations will have at least water and some sort of carbohydrate-rich food, such as pieces of bagel, fig bars, cookies, fruity candy, and/or bananas. There will likely be a few choices of these foods, along with electrolyte replacement drink.
Safety and Trail Etiquette
The trails will be open to other users during the event, including pedestrians, mountain bikers and equestrians (horseback riders). Please be courteous. Horses have the right of way, and if you encounter a horse in your path, stop running and talk to the rider; you will probably need to step to the side of the trail to let the horse past, but sometimes the rider will tell you it is okay to walk past. It is unlikely that there will be much trail traffic, but if the weather is nice, you will almost certainly encounter some others.
In places, the trails have sharp turns, bumps (rocks or tree roots), and holes, and it pays to pay attention to where you put your feet in such sections. However, none of the trails are treacherous or demand any special skills or experience to navigate them. Anyone who is fit enough to hike or run the distance should be able to get through the course fine with a bit of care.
Participants are responsible for their own safety while participating, and the organizers are neither qualified nor equipped to render medical care in the event of a serious injury. In case of an emergency, call 9-1-1. You are encouraged to bring a cell phone with you as a safety precaution, if you wish.
Where the trails are narrow, please let other participants pass you if they want to get by. It is a passing runner's job to tell the person in front that they wish to pass.
