PORT ANGELES — More than 340 runners in the 12th annual Olympic Adventure Trail Run Saturday were treated to sunshine and spring wildflowers in this year’s event.

“It was so great to see all of the returning runners and meet new ones running OAT Run for the first time,” said race director Lorrie Mittmann. Mittmann also emphasized that the entire community came together to make the race happen, from sponsors to volunteers to race staff.

Port Angeles runner Katrin Junghanns-Royack runs OAT Run almost every year for her birthday. When asked why this is her tradition, she said “Because it is FUN! We should do what gives us joy on our birthdays,” she said. “Even if that means getting up at 4:30 a.m. And on race day, we are all having a great time together with friends, encouraging each other, checking in when someone is taking a rest to make sure everything is OK, and making sure everyone makes it to that finish line.”

The OAT Run follows the trail on three different courses — 50K (31 miles), half-marathon (13 miles) and 12K (7.5 miles), in and around the hills and thick forest between Lake Crescent and Port Angeles. It is put on by Peninsula Adventure Sports. Forty-seven runners took on the 50K, 189 ran the two half-marathon waves and 106 ran the 12K.

Winning the 50K was Ross Michell of Redmond in a blistering sub-4 hour time of 3 hours, 59 minutes, 36.14 seconds. Isaiah Hemmen of Seattle was second at 4:11:05.42 and Datlef Bahnson of Fayetteville, N.C., was third at 4:41:21.06. Michael Higuera of Port Angeles had the best local time at 4:50:02.59, good for fourth.

The top women’s 50K competitor was Eliza Winne of Sequim, who finished in 4:57:37.68, good for sixth overall. Kaya Whalen of Tacoma was the second-fastest woman in a time of 5:17:26.29 and Heather Hillsburg of Victoria, B.C., was third at 5:31:26.42.

Jack Hanisch of Tacoma was first in the half-marathon first wave in a time of 1:26:39.41, while Alison Maxwell of Seattle was second, and the fastest woman overall, in 1:27:20.68.

In the half-marathon second wave, John Mauro of Port Townsend, a repeat winner of local races, was first in 1:28:37.52, while Adrian Clifford of Sequim was second at 1:35:45.05. Harpreet Singh of Silverdale was third in 1:37:44.07.

Among the women in the second wave, Chelsea Korbulic of Port Angeles was first in 1:41:41.35, Katherine Braun of Port Angeles was second in 1:48:53.2 and Jill Gallett of Atkins, Iowa, was third in 1:51:11.54.

The top 12K time was by Larry Julson of Beaverton, Ore., in 48:45.88. Second place, and the women’s winner, was Erin Frederickson of Port Angeles in a time of 51:54.58. Wilder Schaaf of Seattle was the second-fastest male runner in 1:27:21.16 and Cody Fishel of Port Angeles was third in 1:27:58.4.

Kellie Houser, Tualatin, Ore., was second among the women in the 12K, and sixth overall, in 1:28:45.86 and Suzanne Messinger of Bainbridge was third at 1:42:11.58.

Callum Backstrom of Seattle was the second-fastest male in a time of 52:02.16 while Greg Dorow of Seattle was third in a time of 55:05.8. Pollyanna Kasten of Port Angeles had the second-fastest female time in 1:03:45.66, while Ella Carlander of Seattle was third in 1:03.50.44.

Volunteers, sponsors

Community volunteers help out in all aspects of the race, from the registration through the finish line. These include Peninsula Trails Coalition, We Promote You Marketing, Crescent Bay Lions, Browns Outdoor, Back Country Horsemen Peninsula Chapter, Dancing Hands Drum Circles, Clallam County Amateur Radio Emergency Services, Clallam County Fire District 2, Sequim Irrigation Festival and the Olympic Peninsula YMCA.

A portion of race proceeds goes to each of the nonprofit groups on this list, and in particular to the maintenance of the Olympic Adventure Trail through the adopt-a-trail program of the Peninsula Trails Coalition. One trail adopter even went out on the trail on Friday evening to cut out a down tree in the way after it was discovered by the course marking volunteer that day.

The after-party beer garden was hosted by 4PA, which benefited from the proceeds, with support from sponsor Angeles Brewing Supplies and Taproom. The after-party also included a bonfire, burritos from Little Devil’s Lunchbox, coffee donated by Coffee Cottage, door prizes, and new for 2025 was the addition of Salish Sauna Company, for runners to warm up after the race.

The Title Sponsor of the race this year was North Olympic Healthcare Network. The OAT Run also has a new presenting sponsor, Peninsula Wellness and Performance. There are also a number of local businesses that have been supporting sponsors of the race for many years, including Angeles Millworks/Hartnagels, Moss Boutique, Olympic Lodge, and Swains General Store.

The next race organized by Peninsula Adventure Sports is Bon Jon Pass Out, a race that is part of the Gravel Unravel gravel endurance bike series. It takes place on June 14 in Quilcene.