The Rain Bear Running group at the 2024 OAT Run on the Olympic Peninsula. (Matt Sagen, Cascadia Films)

The Rain Bear Running group at the 2024 OAT Run on the Olympic Peninsula. (Matt Sagen, Cascadia Films)

ADVENTURE SPORTS: Spring trail running workshop, training set

PORT ANGELES — This spring brings an exciting lineup of trail running events and activities, making now the perfect time for people to mark their calendars. From expert-led workshops to accessible races, there are countless ways for people to immerse themselves in the trail-running spirit.

Kicking off the season is the third annual Trail Running Workshop from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 8 at the Port Angeles Senior Center. This workshop, produced by Rain Bear Running Club with support from North Olympic Healthcare Network and Peninsula Adventure Sports, is designed to help runners build confidence, knowledge and strength to hit the trail. Participants will meet other local runners and there will be a raffle, snacks, and special sessions by professional instructors and speakers, including:

Alexa Carr: Fueling Focus — Carr will explain how to optimize nutrition for every stage of race prep, including training, race day morning, during the race and recovery afterward.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Spencer Larsen: Strength Training and Injury Prevention — Larsen will explain how people can discover how to identify and address muscle or movement imbalances and develop a strength training routine tailored specifically for trail runners.

Dr. Austin Friswold: Endurance Training and Foot Care — Friswold will discuss how to build endurance while emphasizing the importance of foot care. People will gain practical tips to keep their feet healthy and ready to conquer any terrain.

Advance registration is required, and spots are limited. The cost is $60 per person. People can sign up at: https://tinyurl.com/trailrunning2025.

Training program

Following the workshop, the Rain Bear Running Club offers a seven-week trail running training program from Feb. 22 to April 5 designed to help runners prepare for the 12K Olympic Adventure Trail Run on April 12, though participation in the race is not required.

Thanks to sponsorships from Peninsula Adventure Sports and the North Olympic Healthcare Network, the program is available for $75 for the first 10 participants. Afterward, registration is $95.

A detailed training schedule is included, as well as three trail group runs weekly on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday. There will be expert technique coaching and tips.

Participants must be able to comfortably run a 5K (roughly three miles) before the program’s start date.

The program will take place on Saturdays at 9 a.m. from Feb. 22 to April 5, meeting along the Olympic Adventure Trail.

Rain Bear Running Club has reserved 20 spots for the OAT Run on April 12. Participants in the training program receive an exclusive 20 percent discount code for race registration. Race registration fees are not included in the training fee.

People can register online at: https://tinyurl.com/TrailTraining.

OAT Run

Now in its 12th year, the OAT Run is a trail running race produced by Peninsula Adventure Sports with support from sponsors North Olympic Healthcare Network, Angeles Millworks/Hartnagels, Moss Boutique and Olympic Lodge. The event offers three courses — a 12K point-to-point, a half marathon and a 50K out-and-back. After the race, runners can enjoy an after-party with bonfires, door prizes, a hot meal from Little Devils Lunchbox (included with entry) and a beer garden hosted by 4PA.

The after-party will feature a mobile wood-fired sauna provided by Salish Sauna.

The registration fee is $55 for the 12K, $70 for the half-marathon and $90 for the 50K. People can sign up at Peninsula AdventureSports.com.

If a business would benefit from connecting with athletes or they’d like to support endurance racing on the Olympic Peninsula, contact OAT Race Director Lorrie Mittmann at lorrie@peninsula adventuresports.com for sponsorship opportunities. The race also needs volunteers and people can email the same address if they are interested.

More in Sports

PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Forks’ season ended by Mossyrock

Neah Bay begins defense of state title with victory

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen/ Port Scandalous Roller Derby league members pose for a group photo during a recent practice. Roller Derby athletes traditionally use special names when they play. Back row left to right: Big Papa, Lily Hammer, Skully, Small Fry, Sinna Buns, Steel MadNOLA, Summit Slayer and Austin Plowers. Kneeling: Elastigirl, Malice in Wonderland and Sarah Strange.
ROLLER DERBY: Port Scandalous Scandals, the tough little team that could

The roller derby team the Port Scandalous Scandals will host… Continue reading

For the first time in four years, Sequim and Port Angeles rivals competed against each other on the track in college. Sequim’s Riley Pyeatt, left, a 2022 state champion in the 800 and 4x400, and Port Angeles’ Lauren Larson, who finished second in the 800, second in the 3,200 and third in the 1,600 in the state in 2019, met at the Husky Indoor Track and Field Classic in Seattle this weekend. They both competed in the 1-mile run and both finished under five minutes. Pyeatt, who ran for Abilene Christian for a couple of years but now competes for Washington State, finished 57th with a time of 4:52.23, while Larson, who now runs for Boise State, was 75th in a time of 4:54.85.
COLLEGE TRACK AND FIELD: Old rivals meet again and Port Townsend Crush

Above: For the first time in four years, Sequim and Port Angeles… Continue reading

Left, the Port Angeles boys 200 freestyle relay team came in second at the West Central District III championships this weekend. Clockwise from top left are Finn Thompson, Patrick Ross, Miles Van Denburg and Thomas Jones. At right, Port Angeles’ Grant Butterworth won the West Central District III diving championship this weekend. (Port Angeles Swim Team)
PREP DISTRICT SWIMMING: Port Angeles boys finish third

Grant Butterworth wins district diving title

The East Jefferson girls basketball team celebrates their district playoff win over Cascade Christian on Saturday in a game that the Rivals trailed by nine points in the fourth quarter. The win also assures the Rivals a winning season. (East Jefferson girls basketball)
PREP BASKETBALL RECAP: Peninsula teams prevail in must-win games

The Port Angeles boys, Forks boys and girls and East… Continue reading