PORT ANGELES — Peninsula Adventure Sports, a leading organizer of outdoor endurance events on the Olympic Peninsula, announced this week its 2024 race calendar featuring races in a stunning array of landscapes.
It begins with the Frosty Moss Relay on March 16. The Frosty Moss Relay is an 80- or 30-mile relay run across Clallam County on the Olympic Discovery Trail, stretching from the Sol Duc River Valley to Blyn. The 80-mile race also includes the singletrack Olympic Adventure Trail. Teams up to five people work their way through 14 exchange zones, with an after-party hosted by sponsor 7 Cedars Casino.
Next is the OAT Run (Olympic Adventure Trail Run) on April 13, which will again include a point-to-point 12K and half marathon trail running race, as well as an out-and-back 50K, on the Olympic Adventure Trail around Port Angeles. This race sells out every year, so racers should not delay in getting signed up. The race is followed by an after-party with food, beer garden, bonfire and door prizes at Extreme Sports Park west of Port Angeles.
The Gravel Unravel is a three-race series, with Peninsula Adventure Sports hosting race 2 (Bon Jon Pass Out) in Quilcene and race 3 (Why-Not-Chee) at Wynoochee Lake. These races are put on in partnership with Worthington Park in Quilcene, LaVogue Cyclery in Hoquiam, and Eleven Winery on Bainbridge Island as the series sponsor and take place in Olympic National Forest. Bon Jon Pass Out is June 15 and Why-Not-Chee is on July 20.
The GOAT Run (Great Olympic Adventure Trail Run) on Sept. 7 is a point-to-point half-marathon, marathon and 50K trail running race on the Olympic Adventure Trail. The race ends at Lake Crescent inside Olympic National Park, with an after-party at Log Cabin Resort. This race celebrates its 10th year in 2024.
The Big Hurt will be held on Sept. 28. The Big Hurt is a multi-sport race including four legs — mountain bike, kayak, road cycling and a 10K run. Athletes can participate solo in iron division or as a two- to four-person relay team. New for 2024 is that there will be expanded options for kayaks to include more surf-ski style models. Paddleboards will no longer be allowed in the kayak leg.
Also new is a participation limit of 75 iron division and 75 teams. The Little Hurt will take place the following day. Youth from first through the eighth grades will bike, run and row on rowing machines. This is a nonprofit race and all participants get a finisher medal and T-shirt. New for 2024 is the addition of a bike and run version for kindergarten and pre-K kids. More details are to come.
The newest Peninsula Adventure Sports race, the Salt Creek 24, had its first running in 2023 with first-time Race Director Brittany Shrout in charge. Around 100 runners and walkers, competing either solo or as relay teams, took on the 1.34-mile loop course at Salt Creek Recreation Area on a 24-hour clock. Three solo runners succeeded in completing 100 miles to earn their Salt Creek 24 belt buckle. A simultaneous Striped Peak Last Runner Standing event had intrepid racers summiting Striped Peak every hour until all of them dropped out or timed out except for one person. The race lasted 13 hours for a total of almost 50 miles and 13,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain. The two races are expected to double in size for 2024 and will take place on Oct. 26-27.
The Salt Creek 24 races can be done as a fundraiser, not unlike the Relay for Life that used to happen on the Peninsula. The difference is that racers can choose any charity they would like to contribute to. People can contact Shrout to find out more at saltcreek24rd@gmail.com.
“We are thrilled to unveil our 2024 race calendar, representing a diverse range of races that capture the essence of adventure on the Olympic Peninsula. Each event is an opportunity to push boundaries, embrace the spirit of community, and, of course, have a great time,” said Lorrie Mittmann, owner and race director.
Most of the races are already open for registration.
A portion of all race proceeds are donated to local non-profit organizations, with an emphasis on groups that maintain local recreational assets or get youth outdoors.
The races are made possible by volunteers and sponsors, including community partners North Olympic Healthcare Network and the Port of Port Angeles. In addition, the races are supported by lodging tax grants from Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau and City of Port Angeles.
“We welcome any new volunteers and sponsors that might like to help make the races happen to reach out to me at lorrie@ peninsulaadventuresports.com. We can customize any sponsorships to meet the goals of the sponsoring business.” Mittmann said.
