Runs, Races and Rides in 2024
It’s a new year, and chances are one of your intentions is to be more active or to enjoy more time outside. A fun way to do that is to participate in one of the many exciting runs, races and rides that occur throughout the year on the Olympic Peninsula. To make it easy to find what suits your interests the best, we’ve broken out the 2024 runs, races and rides by month. Gather your friends and head out for some fun together!
February
The Run the Peninsula Race Series offers five races throughout the year that span various sections of the Olympic Discovery Trail from Port Townsend to Port Angeles. You can do one or all the races. The first of the series is the Elwha Bridge Run (5K and 10K) on February 3 in Port Angeles.
March
Experience the green season on the Olympic Peninsula for the Frosty Moss Olympic Discovery Relay March 16 in Port Angeles. Do the Full Moss for 80 miles or the Mini Moss for 30 miles. This is the perfect cure for gray-season blues! The race is 100% off-road. Runners enjoy the paved Olympic Discovery Trail, with the dirt Olympic Adventure Trail thrown in for the 80-mile teams. The scenery is amazing!
April
The Olympic Adventure Trail Run (OAT Run) is a point-to-point trail 12K and half marathon as well as an out-and-back 50K. It’s on April 13 beginning in Port Angeles. This is ideal for trail runners who enjoy lush, green forest filled with mosses and ferns with stunning views of the Elwha River Valley.
Run a 5K or 10K for the Railroad Bridge Run April 27 in Sequim on part of the beautiful Olympic Discovery Trail. This is the second leg of the Run the Peninsula Race Series.
May
No formal runs, races or rides in May. Head out on your own.
June
The largest running event on the Olympic Peninsula is the North Olympic Discovery Marathon, June 1 – 2. There’s also a 5K, 10K, half marathon, relay, and kids marathon (1.2 miles). The marathon is a USATF certified course and a Boston Marathon qualifier.
For all you endurance riders, the Bon Jon Pass Out is June 15 in Quilcene, based at Worthington Park. It’s one part of the Gravel Unravel endurance bicycle series on the gravel road systems of the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas.
BMX Race for Life Weekend will be June 29 – 30 in Port Angeles with the state qualifier on June 30. The first Race for Life was held in 1981 and over the past years, BMXers have raised more than $4 million for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
July
No formal runs, races or rides in July. Head out on your own.
August
Don’t miss the Tour de Lavender August 3 in Sequim. This is the Olympic Peninsula’s largest cycling event with something for everyone, regardless of experience. Relish the gorgeous scenery as you ride through Sequim’s magnificent lavender fields.
Ride the Hurricane is the next day, August 4, beginning in Port Angeles. This is an extraordinary opportunity to ride from sea level to summit (5,242 ft.) on the iconic Hurricane Ridge Road when it’s closed to all motor vehicle traffic. For one special morning, the road belongs only to cyclists.
Sea to Sound is a 74-mile, three-day, multi-modal, accessible group ride spanning the entire length of the Olympic Discovery Trail, August 23 – 25. Wheelchair users are strongly encouraged!
September
The Great Olympic Adventure Trail (GOAT) Run is a point-to-point half marathon, marathon, and 50K trail race. It’s on September 7, heading from Port Angeles to Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park.
Big Hurt is a multi-sport race for teams and solo athletes on September 28 in Port Angeles. This is a four-leg test of endurance, strength, and tenacity via bike, kayak and on foot. All the leg transitions take place in the same location, making for an all-day party atmosphere!
October
Another segment of the Run the Peninsula Race Series can be experienced in Port Townsend. Walk or run the Larry Scott Trail for a 5K, 10K or half marathon in October, date to be advised.
Salt Creek 24 is an all-day, all-night run or walk around the scenic Salt Creek Recreation Area in Port Angeles. It’s October 28 – 29 spanning 24 hours where you can make as many loops as you’d like around the area.
November
No formal runs, races or rides in November. Head out on your own.
December
Every year the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe gifts the community with dazzling lights in Blyn and Sequim. What could be more festive than the Jamestown S’Klallam Glow Run (5K & 10K Walk/Run) December 7? This is an out-and-back on the Olympic Discovery Trail from Blyn. Be sure to bring your own headlamp!
Lace up your favorite running shoes, pump up your bicycle tires, fill your water bottle, bring a friend (or many!) and enjoy a fabulous year of fun competition or simply great exercise.
Click HERE for events on the Olympic Peninsula other than Runs, Races and Rides in 2024.
