Quad Killer VK

Vertical Kilometer

Benton City, WA       Oct 12, 2024 (Mass Start)

October 7 - 20, 2024 (Virtual)

Overview

The Quad Killer is a vertical kilometer foot race... with a couple of twists.  The trail that will be used is in Benton City, WA at the Horse Heaven Hills Recreation Area (i.e. McBee trails).  After a couple of years scouring the Tri-Cities area, this is the only trail that could be found to hold a VK race on.  

A traditional Vertical Kilometer race requires at least 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) of elevation gain within a distance of no more than 5 km (3.1 miles). Most of the VK races around the world involve a long, single, steep pitch averaging at least 20% grade, but we aren’t lucky enough to have a 3-mile-long hill near us. So… this race is done roller coaster style! Up, down, up, down, up, down, up, down, and one more up. Got it? (That’s 5 ups and 4 downs). You still get the one kilometer of elevation gain over a 5 km distance, but now you also get the added challenge of the downhills. Oh yeah, the hill for this challenge is a lot more than the usual 20% grade… it hits nearly 50%! It is guaranteed that your quads are going to ache after this one!  The winner will be determined by the fastest time to complete the 5 ups and 4 downs.

Why?

If you find yourself asking why, why in the world would I do something as stupid as this - then consider this... 

Mass Start VK - Race Details

This option involves a mass start and will be run like a traditional race.  To avoid significant carnage, this race will be on a looped course that comes down the traditional Quad Killer VK trail, but goes up a parallel trail. This will still involve climbing 5 times and descending 4 times, but everyone will be going the same direction (clockwise).  Just like with the Virtual VK option, you will start at the bottom and finish at the top.

The race will start at 10am and ends at 2pm.  If you need more time than that (or are nervous of the mass start) then please register for the Virtual VK option.  We will try and seed people based on their expected pace, but please be aware that there will be people passing one another during the race.  We ask that you are considerate, announce when you are wanting to pass someone, and yield to those moving quicker than you. The slower person should step to the side of the trail (but not on vegetation) to allow the other person to pass.  PLEASE be nice and no pushing or bumping.  If you are being aggressive to others, then you may receive a time penalty or even be DQ'd.   

Virtual VK - Race Details

The trail selected for this race is very steep and narrow, so in an effort to keep congestion (and collisions) low, the race will be held virtually.  While the course is fixed, participants will have a 2-week window to complete the event. The race window is from 12:00am Monday October 7, 2024 – 11:59pm Sunday October 20, 2024.

Because this event is virtual, participants will be responsible for their own timing and we require that a GPS recording device (watch, phone, etc.) is used so your results can be reviewed and validated to ensure you completed the proper distance/time. 

When you are ready to begin the race, start your GPS at the starting line (bottom of the hill by the rocks) and then make your first 'run' up to the top (intersecting trail) and then come back down to the rocks. Repeat this roundtrip 3 more times and then go back up one final time. When you then reach the top for the 5th time, stop your GPS as you have finished the race.  

Remember, the requirement for this race is that you ascend the trail 5 times and descend it 4 times.  Total elapsed time will be used to rank the results, so once you start your GPS, don't stop it until you’ve done all of the ups and downs! 

Once you have completed the race and are satisfied with your results, you can email your time to deltaendurancellc@gmail.com and provide a link to a GPS file (Garmin, Polar, Strava, etc.) so that we can validate your results. Depending on the GPS device you used, the total distance and elevation climbed may vary slightly.  You are more than welcome to complete this multiple times throughout the 2 weeks and submit your best time.  Who knows, maybe there will be a special prize for whoever does the most.

VK Information

A vertical kilometer (VK) race must have at least 1,000m of vertical climb, over varying terrain with a steep incline, which does not exceed 5,000m in length.  The first VK race took place in Italy in August 1994.  The International Skyrunning Federation is the governing body for VK races.

While there are several hundred VK races worldwide, there are only a handful in the US.  Some currently known races in or around the US include:

Location

From the Tri Cities, take Exit 96 off I-82 into Benton City, go left around the roundabout and head under the overpass to get onto Webber Canyon Road.

From Yakima, take Exit 96 off I-82 into Benton City, go right onto Webber Canyon Road.

Drive 0.6 mile and take a right onto McBee Road.

Then drive 0.5 mile to the trailhead parking area on your left.  Please don’t block the roadway or other vehicles.

To get to the starting line, hike southeast from the McBee Trailhead along the upper foothill trail until it makes a fairly sharp turn to your left. There are a number of trails starting at the trailhead, so make sure you look at the maps.  

After hiking about 1/2 mile from the trailhead, you should be at the base of the hill and the course trail will be to your right. 

The starting line is located at the following coordinates: 46.233037, -119.483544.

Schedule

The Mass Start VK will begin at 10am on October 12th.  Please plan for adequate time to get from the parking area to the starting line.   All participants will have until 2pm to finish the distance.

For the Virtual VK, you may complete the race anytime between 12:00am Monday October 7, 2023 – 11:59pm Sunday October 20, 2024.  While most people complete the event during a single effort, you are more than welcome to take as much time during the 2 weeks as you like.  In that case, please record each day's effort and send them all in. I will compute your race time as from the start of the 1st effort to the finish of the last effort, including all of the time in between your recorded efforts.

Course

The course for the Mass Start VK will be added in the near future - please check back for updates.

The trail being used is 0.33 mile long and gains 662 feet of elevation.  While the average grade is just over 37%, there are a few sections that hit 50%.  

The course starting point is at the rocks that cross the trail, and the finish point is 1/3 mile later at the connection with the upper trail.  There are a few trail variations shortly after starting, but they all stay close to one another and converge quickly - any one of them is fine to take.  

Keep in mind that this trail is steep, narrow, and has many sections of loose dirt and rocks.  Trail shoes are a must and gaiters are recommended. 

To complete the race, you must ascend the trail 5 times and descend it 4 times, thus finishing at the top.  For those that use Strava, there are three segments for the course:

Aid Stations & Finish Line

For the Mass Start VK, an aid station will be provided at the starting line, which will include water, sports drink, and snacks.  Water will also be available at the top for after you finish.  

Registration

Your entry fee covers the race, a finisher award, and a chance to win a great prize in the random drawing.

The entry fees will increase June 1st and again on September 1st.  Sorry, but there will be no refunds or deferrals so please don't ask.

Awards & Prizes

There will be a pile of cool stuff given out this year including finisher awards, random prize giveaways, awards based on your time, and an action award:  

Since awards cannot be handed out to everyone when you finish, we will coordinate an award pickup at Runners Soul (5020 W Clearwater Ave, Kennewick, WA).  These will be available for at least a week and if for any reason you are unable to pick up your award or prize, we will mail them to you.  More details will be provided after the race.

Rules

Course Records

Mens: 0:50:49 - Jesse Lang (2019)

Women's: 1:11:37 - Rona Bouzarth (2023)

Sponsors

We want to thank the below companies for their generous support of this race.  These are great companies and you are highly encouraged to check them out.  If your company would like to provide additional sponsorship please reach out to us here.

For anyone that would like to sponsor the Quad Killer VK, please contact us through email.  We would gladly accept items to be used as prizes, or monetary donations to assist in paying the bills and keeping the registration cost low.  

In return for any donations, your company logo will be displayed on this page and recognition will be provided to participants in email updates about the race.