OUTDOORS ENTHUSIASTS OFTEN seek new challenges, experiences and thrills.
Two such events, one set for this September and another eyed for reintroduction in September of 2015, certainly qualify.
The introduction of the Great Olympic Adventure Trail Run, or GOAT Run, complete with full and half-marathon distances along the Olympic Adventure Trail, is set for Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014.
A reintroduction of the Big Hurt, a four-stage multisport relay race comprised of a 15-mile to 20-mile mountain bike ride, 4.5-mile sea kayak, 40-mile road bike and 10-kilometer run that first ran annually from 1997 to 2004, is in the initial planning stages for an expected resumption in September of 2015.
What is known now is individuals, teams from the community and from area businesses can complete the entire race or stages of the race.
Distances, routes and locations for the Big Hurt are still being discussed, so check the Peninsula Daily News sports section for details in the coming months.
Both events are being overseen by Port Angeles residents Scott Tucker and Lorrie Mittman.
“The Big Hurt was really a big local production; it seemed like everybody I knew was doing a portion of it or the whole thing,” Tucker said.
“I’ve talked about wanting to recreate it for four or five years and have heard a positive reaction, so we thought, ‘Let’s do it,’ and commit to it next September, and then in the coming years try to get it on the scale of the North Olympic Discovery Marathon.”
For the GOAT Run, Tucker and Mittman have planned a more strenuous version of the Olympic Adventure Trail, or OAT Run, held for the second time last April.
The GOAT Run’s full marathon route begins at 8:30 a.m. at the trail’s horsemen’s trailhead along Dan Kelly Road just west of the Elwha River, and travels along the entire 21-plus-mile single-track Olympic Adventure Trail, plus 4 more Adventure Trail miles on gravel logging roads and less than a mile of paved road to finish at the Log Cabin Resort at Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park.
“The finish provides one of the more dramatic views in all of Olympic National Park, and since the finish is about 50 feet from the water, we expect most race participants to cool off with a jump into Lake Crescent,” Tucker said.
Full marathoners will have to work to receive that award — this course is not for the faint of heart or body.
The course reaches a maximum elevation of 1,619 feet, with a cumulative elevation gain of 3,519 feet over the 26-mile undulating course.
Half-marathon competitors will begin at 10:30 a.m. at an elevation of 1,266 feet near the top of the Joyce Access Road and reach a max elevation of 1,619 feet with a cumulative elevation gain of 1,528 feet over the 14-mile course.
Each route includes views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Vancouver Island, and runs over a beautiful log bridge across Whiskey Creek near Joyce.
Participants will get glimpses of Lake Crescent on the final approach, before wrapping the race at Log Cabin Resort, complete with views of Mount Storm King further down the lakeshore.
There will be minimal aid stations for the GOAT Run, and runners should be prepared to be self-sufficient and carry water and food as needed.
Full marathon aid stations are planned for mile 3.2, 7.5, 12.5, 16, 20 and 23.
Portable toilets will be available the start and finish, and at miles 7.5, 12.5 and 20.
There will be three aid stations for the half marathon at miles 3, 7 and 11.
There will be food and drinks, including “frosty adult beverages,” at the finish line as well.
Registration is available now, and Tucker and Mittman both encourage those interested to sign up as soon as possible at
greatoatrun.org under the “Registration” tab.
The full marathon is $65 per person and limited to 150 participants.
The half marathon is $45 and limited to 100 entrants.
Instead of a T-shirt, entrants will receive a GOAT Run pint glass.
A portion of the proceeds from this race will be donated to the Peninsula Trails Coalition for use in the construction and maintenance of the Olympic Discovery Trail and Olympic Adventure Trail.
Volunteers are needed, those interested in lending a hand can email olympicadventuretrail@gmail.com.
Family Medicine of Port Angeles is the title sponsor for the event, with additional support from JS Ironworks, Barhop Brewing & Taproom, Brown’s Outdoor, Crescent Grange 1123, CrossFit ThunderRidge, Farmers Insurance, Harbinger Winery, Mittelstaedt Chiropractic and Massage, the Olympic Peninsula Visitors Bureau, and Renaissance.
For more information on the race, visit greatoatrun.org or “Like” the Goat Run at www.facebook.com/goatrun
Northwest Cup racing
Tucker also mentioned the championship finals of the Northwest Cup downhill mountain biking circuit are planned for Sept. 12-14 at Dry Hill west of Port Angeles.
“This is the championship race for the series, so there will be awards for that race and we also will award the overall series winners that weekend,” Tucker said.
“So there should be some last-minute points battles going down.”
Hunter tune up
Wapiti Bowmen Archery Club will hold its annual Hunter Tune Up shoot Saturday and Sunday.
The shoot is open to all and designed for archers who want to get some practice in on full-sized 3D targets before venturing out in the woods for hunting season.
Archers can challenge themselves by taking aim at the elk across the ravine, the bear up the hill, an alligator near the creek and the tyrannosaurus rex just off the trail as they wind through the club’s course.
Adult shooting fees are $12 per day or $20 for both days. Youth fees (12-17) are $8 per day or $12 for both, those ages 6-11 are just $4 for one day and $5 for two. Kids under 5 are free.
Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. and breakfast and lunch are served all day on Saturday and Sunday.
The course is located off Monroe Road at 374 Arnette Road in Port Angeles.
Anglers meet
The East Jefferson chapter of Puget Sound Anglers will meet in the Port of Port Townsend Commissioners Office, at 333 Benedict St. in Port Townsend at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Discussion will involve the current chinook season, as well as the impending silver arrival, which involves beach fishing at the Point Wilson and Marrowstone Point beaches.
Refreshments will be served.
The public and new members are welcome.
Chapter members also will staff a booth at the Jefferson County Fair Friday through Sunday.
Youth salmon derby
The Clallam Bay-Sekiu Lions Club invites kids, ages 5-14, to the annual Kids Salmon Derby on Saturday, Aug. 16.
There’s no entry fee and registration begins at 5:30 a.m. at Van Riper’s and Olson’s resorts.
Weigh-in deadline is noon at Van Riper’s Resort.
Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third places for legal salmon, and a prize smorgasbord and refreshments will be available for the runner-ups.
The Lions Club Kids Derby is supported by donations from individuals and businesses.
For more information, questions, or to donate, phone Adam Campbell at 360-461-6701 or Roy Morris at 360-963-2442.
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Outdoors columnist Michael Carman appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.