Eastside Fire and Rescue (EF&R) is again requesting support from the Issaquah CERTs, specifically licensed "hardy" ham radio operators and medical support for EF&R EMTs for the August 9, 2026, Tunnel Marathon. If you are not familiar with this event, please check out the following link, The Light At The End Of The Tunnel Marathons.
Some of you are familiar with the Tunnel Marathon, so you have an idea of what to expect, but you would need to bring your own food, water, comfort items, PPE and first aid supplies. Dress for the weather as there is no indoor shelter. Cap, sunscreen and insect repellent are advised. Your radio will require extra batteries, and medical supplies should be chosen given the expected issues that may occur (some medical supplies will be available at the Garcia aid station). Wear sturdy but comfortable boots or shoes (good news is that the track is an old railroad bed, so the grade is barely noticeable).
But . . ., because of the washout of the normal marathon trail just west of the Garcia aid station (halfway between Snoqualmie Pass and North Bend), this year's marathon route has been modified and will make it more difficult for EF&R and ham operators to monitor the route between Hyak and Garcia for any mishaps along the way. Because distances that ham operators will need to monitor are on the order of 5 miles, one requirement for ham operators will be to have a bike or an ebike. EF&R EMT support will be at the finish line (Garcia aid station), but there is about a mile hike from the parking area to Garcia. Finally, eastbound Exit 38 will be closed so volunteers will need to exit I90 at Exit 42, turn around and take westbound Exit 38 to get to the parking area. Thus, the request for "hardy" volunteers.
However, the reward can justify the effort. This is a “real world” event, and you may encounter medical needs ranging from insect bites, sprains (gravel track), lacerations (falls), bleeding, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and others that might occur on an August morning or afternoon run through the woods. Although CERT volunteers are not expected to treat these needs but only contact net control for EMT assistance, it is a good opportunity to make a difference and to learn.
More information (ICS-201, ICS-205, Zoom meeting) will become available as we near the marathon date but if you have questions in the meantime, you can contact George Thiel or Bob Otis.
If this opportunity interests you, please register at the following link.
Eastside Fire & Rescue - Fire Corps: North Bend - Light At The End Of The Tunnel Marathon - Sunday, August 9th - 0645-1500
Hope to see you there!
