If your resolution for the new year is to get more exercise and fresh air, stay in better shape or even to win a competition, the Olympic Peninsula is the perfect place to make your goals happen. Whether you’re a runner, walker, rider, paddler, sailor, avid competitor or weekend enthusiast, you’ll find a wide array of runs, races and rides occurring throughout the year. Bring a friend, family member or competitive side-kick and sign up for the activity of your choice. To make it easy to find what suits you best, we’ve broken out the 2026 runs, races and rides by month. Gather your friends or family and head out for some fun together on the Olympic Peninsula!
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 7 in Port Angeles.
March
Don’t miss Sequim’s Sunshine Festival Sun Fun Color Run on March 7. This family-friendly event offers a 1K and 5K option, traveling through the Carrie Blake Park and along the Olympic Discovery Trail with color station volunteers cheering participants on to the finish line where they will receive a finisher medal.
Experience the green season on the Olympic Peninsula for the Frosty Moss Olympic Discovery Relay March 14 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 11, 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.
The NW Cup Downhill Series at Dry Hill Bike Park in Port Angeles will kick off April 10-12 with Round 1. Round 2 will be a month later May 15-17, offering one more taste of the Olympic Peninsula’s prime spring soil.
Run a 5K or 10K for the Railroad Bridge Run April 25 in Sequim on part of the beautiful Olympic Discovery Trail. This is the second leg of the Run the Peninsula Race Series.
May
For BMX enthusiasts and riders of all skill levels, Port Angeles is the place to be. The BMX State Championship Qualifier for Double Points is May 30 at Lincoln Park in Port Angeles.
For something different, get out on the water! Race from Tacoma to Port Townsend May 29 for 70 miles in 48 hours for the Seventy48 Race. The rules are simple: no motors, no support and no wind—human power only. Pedal, paddle or row.
June
The largest running event on the Olympic Peninsula is the North Olympic Discovery Marathon, June 6-7. There’s also a 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon, relay, and kids marathon (1.2 miles) on the beautiful Olympic Discovery Trail. The marathon is a USATF certified course and a Boston Marathon qualifier.
For all you endurance riders, the Gravel Unravel Bon Jon Pass Out is June 13 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.
Back on the water, Race to Alaska (R2AK) is a 750-mile boat race, departing from Port Townsend on June 14 heading to Alaska. No motors. No support. All guts. Any vessel that’s human or wind powered can enter. The only way to win is to cross open water, navigate through tidal rapids, hug a coastline carved by glaciers and keep going until you reach Ketchikan.
July
Test your riding skill on gravel for the Gravel Unravel Why-Not-Chee courses on July 18 Wynoochee Lake on the south side of Olympic National Park. There are four courses, and each one includes one mile of mandatory singletrack, 400 yards of Intermediate/Difficult track—the rest is Green/Easier.
August
Don’t miss the Tour de Lavender August 1 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 2, 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. This event always sells out, so reserve your spot (and your lodging) early!
Sea to Sound is a 74-mile, three-day, multi-modal, accessible group ride on the Olympic Discovery Trail, August 28 – 30. 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 12, heading from Port Angeles to Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park.
The surrounding woodlands, water and mountains make Quilcene a perfect place for the Quilcene Oyster Races on September 20. This is a 5K, 10K and half marathon with all being USATF certified and sanctioned.
Big Hurt is a multi-sport race for teams and solo athletes on September 26 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!
The next day, on September 27, bring the kids for the Little Hurt, a pre-K through 8th grade multi-sport competition which includes three legs—biking, rowing and trail running.
October
Next in the Run the Peninsula Race Series, enjoy the gorgeous autumn weather by joining the Spruce Railroad Run/Walk on October 3 which is an out-and-back on the Olympic Discovery Trail along Lake Crescent for a 5K or 10K.
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 24 – 25 spanning 24 hours where you can make as many loops as you’d like around the area.
November
While the turkey is roasting, head out for the annual Turkey Trot in Port Angeles on November 26, benefitting the Port Angeles Food Bank. Also, check out the Jumping Mouse Turkey Trot on the Olympic Discovery Trail in Port Townsend on November 28. NOTE: Registration will open for both Turkey Trots closer to the events.
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 5. This is the final leg of the Run the Peninsula Race Series and 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 bike tires, fill your water bottle, grab a life jacket (if you’re headed out on a boat) and bring a friend (or many!) for our exciting runs, races and rides this year. Join us for a fabulous time of fun competition or simply great exercise and fresh air on the Olympic Peninsula.
Click HERE for events on the Olympic Peninsula other than Runs, Races and Rides in 2026.
