2016 Training Runs


Each year we organize free group training runs on some of our race courses. These are great opportunities to check out a course you are thinking about racing, or see what you’ve signed up for if you are already registered.

For 2016, we have three group runs scheduled that you’ll want to put on your calendar now.

Mt. St. Helen’s/Volcanic 50 Course – July 30th

This is a great group run to jump in on if you are running the race as this course is rugged and will surprise people. It’s also a perfect time to get in a training run on an active volcano – how often do you get to do that?

Meet at the Marble Mountain Sno-Park by 7:45am; we’ll start running at 8:00 am. The run is from the race start to the second aid station at the Toutle River, and back. This is 24 miles, but 24 tough miles. Runners can turn around and go back at any point.

We are not leading a group all the way around the mountain this year, so if you’d like to do that, please plan your day responsibly (adjusting your start time if needed, plan to have to filter water, etc.) and be aware of the route. Feel free to post on the Facebook Event to find others who may want to do the full loop.

Please RSVP on the Facebook Event so we have any idea how many are joining.

Olallie Lake/Mountain Lakes Course – August 19th-21st

My favorite weekend of the summer! This is a family-friendly weekend of camping and running. We will lead two runs, one Saturday morning on the southern loop of the Mountain Lakes 100 course, and the second on Sunday morning heading north from Olallie Lake Resort for an out-and-back on the Pacific Crest Trail.

The idea with this weekend is that some adults will watch the kids Saturday so the others can run, and then we’ll switch on Sunday. Last year we had several campsites on the southern peninsula of the lake, which was a perfect place for the kids to run around and the adults to hang out.

You don’t have to have kids to enjoy this weekend and there are plenty of campgrounds around the lake if you want a little distance between your campsite and ours. You don’t even have to camp – just show up one morning for the run and head home afterwards.

Saturday’s route is a loop and is 26 miles. Sunday’s run is an out and back, so you can go as long or short as you want.

Please RSVP on the Facebook Event so we know how many are coming. We’ll try to get as many campsites as we can when we arrive – they are all first-come, first-served.

Wilson River/Elk-King’s 50K Course – September 10th

The Wilson River trail is gem in the Tillamook Forest in the Coast Range. The Elk-King’s 50K course is entirely on this trail and so is the second-half of the 25K.

We’ll meet at the Elk Creek Campground trail head to start and run out on the Wilson River trail until we’re ready to turn around and go back to where we started. We are not leading a run onto the 25K course, but you are welcome to check that out on your own. The 25K is a steep and technical course, so if you are running that race you may want to see what’s up (literally).

This run is all along the Wilson River and there is a great spot to soak your legs when you finish.

Please RSVP on the Facebook Event so we have an idea of how many people to expect.

 

These runs are free and are group runs, not races. The routes are not marked, so it’s important to have an understanding of the course before you show up. We’ll explain the route options at the start and usually have someone to lead and someone to take up the rear, but that depends on how many people show up and what paces everyone runs. They are open to anyone, any pace – you do not need to be registered for the race. There are no aid stations so please bring all your own food and fluids… and your camera.