Race Director's Welcome

Race Director's Welcome

You are contemplating a unique adventure. Le Grizz is not just an undertaking to enhance your health and self-esteem. It is a wilderness experience you cannot partake in without first going into cyberspace, a lonely ordeal and a social function. It is an opportunity to discover challenge and celebration concurrently, and to merge ancient primitive joy and modern decorum until they become indistinguishable.

You will spend a day (and perhaps part of a night) in elemental weather, in forests of both young vigorous trees and ancient monarchs. Animals lurk there that do not necessarily fear you. Along the way are murmuring streams, blue waters, sky-scraping mountains, and autumn colors to die for. Since the course starts far from the nearest town, you will run wild to escape the backcountry. Your appreciation and respect for the wilderness may be profound, but it will not interfere with fleeing. I do not believe wildness is the preservation of the world. I believe appreciation for the wonder of both wildness and civilization is. So during your wild sojourn you will never be far from the rules and reassurances of our social conventions, or the comfort of any friends you can trick into putting up with you.

Our course staff looks forward to each year's running. They are dedicated veterans. Only those who have accumulated seniority are assigned the choice remote aid stations. These six teams average over ten years of experience, nearly 70 years cumulatively servicing the needs of entrants.

Mike Sands manufactures our trophies, plaques and special presentation items. He has provided unique and appealing awards since 1984. He's also in charge of the finish line refreshments and keeps the food hot and drinks cold.

We have a loyal staff of massage therapists with 20 years of hands-on experience at the event. We also have a long-standing association with the North Valley Search & Rescue and other trained volunteers who provide proficient logistical support.

We even get along with the federal government. We are committed to conforming to the mandates of the Corps of Engineers and the Forest Service, and they are compatible and supportive partners.

We have been associated with the Special Olympics since 1986. Quite simply, during the event both the entrants and these young athletes are on par, a group of physically and mentally challenged youngsters supporting likewise challenged runners. These kids are there for us year after year, whatever the weather. We are also associated with Plum Creek Timber Company, as many race volunteers work for this local employer. This mutual association had generated tens of thousands of dollars for the Special Olympics kids and beneficial memories for all involved.

Our latest partnership outreach is with the Blackfeet Nation. Native Americans have struggled to maintain personal spiritual intuition in the face of irrevocable change. Le Grizz is an appropriate setting to strengthen such traditions through cross-cultural interaction. Running across the land generates common perceptions that raise consciousness. At the finish line, our boisterous beer-oriented mindset can benefit from the stabilizing fundamentals of native culture. Tribal members can share and keep alive the breath of perspective of their elders and ancestors in a context that accommodates the realities of progressive social order.

I am often asked how much longer I will direct this event. I haven't thought in those terms for a long time. Through this job my personal quirks have developed into advantages rather than problems. For me Le Grizz is a way of life. It is my one day each year to hang out with people when they are at their best. I never get tired of seeing someone finish his or her first 50 miler (some of the rest of you could look better). Le Grizz is tied with two other events as the 3rd oldest continuously held 50 miler in the world. It is my intention that it will continue with a tradition both unique in its own character and exemplary of what has always been right about ultramarathoning.

Let's share a day of beauty, accomplishment, and reaffirmation of personal worth.

Pat Caffrey, R.D.



		Race Director's Welcome

		You are contemplating a unique adventure. Le Grizz is not just an undertaking to enhance your health and self-esteem. It is a wilderness experience you cannot partake in without first going into cyberspace, a lonely ordeal and a social function. It is an opportunity to discover challenge and celebration concurrently, and to merge ancient primitive joy and modern decorum until they become indistinguishable. You will spend a day (and perhaps part of a night) in elemental weather, in forests of both young vigorous trees and ancient monarchs. Animals lurk there that do not necessarily fear you. Along the way are murmuring streams, blue waters, sky-scraping mountains, and autumn colors to die for. Since the course starts far from the nearest town, you will run wild to escape the backcountry. Your appreciation and respect for the wilderness may be profound, but it will not interfere with fleeing. I do not believe wildness is the preservation of the world. I believe appreciation for the wonder of both wildness and civilization is. So during your wild sojourn you will never be far from the rules and reassurances of our social conventions, or the comfort of any friends you can trick into putting up with you. Our course staff looks forward to each year's running. They are dedicated veterans. Only those who have accumulated seniority are assigned the choice remote aid stations. These six teams average over ten years of experience, nearly 70 years cumulatively servicing the needs of entrants. Mike Sands manufactures our trophies, plaques and special presentation items. He has provided unique and appealing awards since 1984. He's also in charge of the finish line refreshments and keeps the food hot and drinks cold. We have a loyal staff of massage therapists with 20 years of hands-on experience at the event. We also have a long-standing association with the North Valley Search & Rescue and other trained volunteers who provide proficient logistical support. We even get along with the federal government. We are committed to conforming to the mandates of the Corps of Engineers and the Forest Service, and they are compatible and supportive partners. We have been associated with the Special Olympics since 1986. Quite simply, during the event both the entrants and these young athletes are on par, a group of physically and mentally challenged youngsters supporting likewise challenged runners. These kids are there for us year after year, whatever the weather. We are also associated with Plum Creek Timber Company, as many race volunteers work for this local employer. This mutual association had generated tens of thousands of dollars for the Special Olympics kids and beneficial memories for all involved. Our latest partnership outreach is with the Blackfeet Nation. Native Americans have struggled to maintain personal spiritual intuition in the face of irrevocable change. Le Grizz is an appropriate setting to strengthen such traditions through cross-cultural interaction. Running across the land generates common perceptions that raise consciousness. At the finish line, our boisterous beer-oriented mindset can benefit from the stabilizing fundamentals of native culture. Tribal members can share and keep alive the breath of perspective of their elders and ancestors in a context that accommodates the realities of progressive social order. I am often asked how much longer I will direct this event. I haven't thought in those terms for a long time. Through this job my personal quirks have developed into advantages rather than problems. For me Le Grizz is a way of life. It is my one day each year to hang out with people when they are at their best. I never get tired of seeing someone finish his or her first 50 miler (some of the rest of you could look better). Le Grizz is tied with two other events as the 3rd oldest continuously held 50 miler in the world. It is my intention that it will continue with a tradition both unique in its own character and exemplary of what has always been right about ultramarathoning. Let's share a day of beauty, accomplishment, and reaffirmation of personal worth. Pat Caffrey, R.D.