About the Race

Welcome to the 21st running of the Ron Herzog 50k at Masonic Park, Granite Falls, WA. This race was started by Chris Ralph as a memorial to her friend Ron Herzog who died of ALS, a debilitating disease that still remains without a cure. In honor of Ron, we have posted a note written by Chris Ralph. Please read it under the "How it Got Started" below to better understand the history behind the race.

The check-in and bib pick up is from 6:30-7:30 am.  The race briefing starts at 7:40am and race starts at 8am sharp.

See the “50K Course” page for details

There will be one aid station about half way. The race has a 8 hour time limit and a 4 hour cutoff (noon) at the aid station. If you think you cannot complete the course in this time frame, please consider taking an early start at 7:00 am.

CO-RDs:
Kendall Kreft
Tim Stroh

Contact Information:
RonHerzog50K@yahoo.com


How it Got Started - A Note from Ron's Running Buddy Chris Ralph 

Ron Herzog was born 1/30/38. He died 5/28/96 of ALS. He was one of my first ultra running partners and a good friend.

In 1992 the ultra running group ran at Tiger Mountain on weekends. Ron Herzog and Ike Hessler tried to come and meet us but it was a long drive from Lake Stevens. So, they said why don't you come up here and run. I said, okay, lets start a race. We called it the Granite Falls 50K and ran the first one 11/15/92. We offered 3 distances: 20K, 50K and 50K + an extra credit 4 mile hill.

In 1992 Lynn O'Malley and I drove our cars right to the stream crossing for the aid station. That was the only year we were able to get that close. In future years the two mile road became more difficult to negotiate and finally caved in, as you have seen. There was also a year that the runners had to go 20 miles before they found me at my truck stopped by a 4 foot gap in the road at a bridge!

One of the snow years people couldn't see the ribbons and got off course. When asked what he was doing on their property, Steve Pierce said "a 50K" . The Navy said "oh yeah, where's your bike?" I'm sure Steve remembers the procedure that followed.

In 1995 I learned that Ron had ALS. I renamed the event to the Ron Herzog Granite Falls 50K. Ron and his wife, Michelle, attended the event. I notified everyone that he would be there. In 1996, Ron left us. I renamed the event Ron Herzog Memorial 50K.

We have had snow, rain, cold, wind and only a couple of nice days in the last 14 years.

TANKS ALOT, Ron Herzog!
Chris Ralph, RD
Cascade Running Club