On Saturday, January 12th at 6 am a group of ten hardy souls (and Animal Athletes) met at the parking lot by the Rose Garden in Washington Park. I was among the ten and after making sure everyone was there we groggily piled into a van and set off west on Highway 26 into the dark of the early morning. The destination was McMinnville and Baker Creek Rd. — a random gathering point of trail and ultra-runners in the woods, on the edge of the Willamette Valley just into the foothills of the Coast Range. The event was the “Mac Ass” which is referencing the location near McMinnville and is a play on the runner-slang term of a “fat ass” run. A “fat ass” is basically an informal race and gathering of runners typically during the holidays when training has been low and eating/festivities have been high. It’s an early-season training run and a trail party so to speak, a time to socialize and get back into the groove, to share trails with both new and familiar faces, to gather around fires and talk of adventures past, present, and future, and, of course, to eat more food and, at the Mac Ass at least, to drink from the two wonderful kegs of 10 Barrel beer that were generously provided.
Planned and laboriously executed by Jeremy Hurl, John Spencer and friends, the event also got additional kudos for being a fundraiser for the McMinnville High School Cross Country Team. There were three distances to run: 10, 25, and 50k, all on “a mix of logging roads, gravel roads, and sweet single track.” There was a lot of climbing and descending too, these were no flat runs. The 25k had ~3,350 ft. of gain and the 50k had an estimated ~6,900 ft. I do believe it caught most people a bit off guard, even some of the best runners in the country who were in attendance agreed. I was signed up for the 50k, but lost a little motivation to grind out a second 25k loop after having sampled both the delicious warm of the fire before the run began and the toughness of the course. And all the food … and that good beer … and most importantly, all those great people to talk to. Even though the course was surprisingly scenic and challenging, and the single track blissful, I just had to cut it short and relax. After all it was mid-January and I was just getting back into my training … no need to do too much too soon. Besides, most people estimated (via Garmin watches and other GPS type devices) that the 25k or 15.5 miles was more like 17.5 or 18 miles anyway. Luckily for my pride I wasn’t the only one who bailed; what seemed like a majority of the 50k runners headed for a glorious spot by the fire after one go around. I was glad for their company.
It couldn’t have been a more down-home, feel-good, grass-roots scene at the start/finish; dogs ran around while fires and heaters in various locations drew people into circles around their heat. Picnic tables under a modest pavilion beside a small lake were lined with food and steaming crock pots of chili and soup, coffee, casseroles and chicken wings and deviled eggs and all sorts of delicious sweets and things, cookies, cakes, and so on. Then, of course, there were the aforementioned kegs, standing stoutly and looking extremely inviting despite the cold temps. It was an impressive and extensive spread, the kind only possible at a potluck event.
It was awesome to see runners of all ages and paces and sizes and shapes come together on a cold January day to share their love of the trails and appreciation for one another. Connections were made; goals and intentions were shared for the year ahead. The fun went on until the last of the few 50k runners came into the finish and then we reluctantly left the fires and the food and friends, said our goodbyes and thank you’s, gave hugs and handshakes, then piled back into the van to head home to Portland. We couldn’t thank Jeremy Hurl and John Spencer enough for putting on such a great event and knew also that it was only possible — as all these events are — with the help of so many in the local community. That’s what it’s all about … the people make the difference.
Even with an exciting season of racing and training and coaching and adventuring ahead I am already looking forward to next January … Mac Ass 2014!
Willie McBride is a native of Chicago, IL but has been living in and exploring the American West since 2000. He attended the Colorado College, majoring in English with a focus on Creative Writing, solidifying his love of writing and his need for mountains. An avid hiker, climber, and trail/ultramarathon runner he now resides in NW Portland, close by the trails of Forest Park. He started a personal/group training and coaching business called Animal Athletics (AnimalAthleticsPDX.com) with fellow ultra runner Yassine Diboun in spring of 2012 and the two provide top-notch services to aspiring outdoor athletes of all abilities.
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