Race Overview
This course is fun, scenic, and pretty flat, so it is perfect for beginners or those looking to set a PR (personal record). The course for 2026 will be a pleasant 5K loop through old-growth forest and along various waterways, that folks will run 1, 2, 5, or 10 times for the 5K, 10K, 25K, or 50K. The 12-hour solo folks will do as many loops as they want within that 12-hour period. We don't think it's unreasonable for a really fast 12hr runner to get 100 miles!
The start/finish on the eastern shore of Deep Lake is just a short walk from the campground, and those who want to make this a camping weekend can easily do so by walking to/from the start/finish area. Campsites are very limited. Head now to the Washington State Parks Reservations Page to get yours before they're gone.
Race: 50 km
Elevation gain: 1000
Aid Stations: 9
Cutoff Time: 12 hours
Race: 25 km
Elevation gain: 500 ft
Aid Stations: 4
Cutoff Time: 12 hours
Race: 10 km
Elevation gain: 200 ft
Aid Stations: 1
Cutoff Time: 12 hours
Race: 5K
Elevation gain: 100ft
Aid Stations: 0
Cutoff Time: 12 hours
Race: 12 Hour
Elevation gain: 100ft per 5K loop
Aid Stations: 1 per 5K loop
Cutoff Time: 12 hours
Fundraiser
This race was created by Rainshadow Running as a fundraiser for Interfaith Works, which provides critical support to folks in Olympia and Thurston County experiencing homelessness. This year, we are bringing it in-house with the help of the Rainshadow team! All proceeds from each race entry go directly to support our homeless services program, and runners can also make an additional donation during registration (all of which will go directly to the shelter).
Want to do more? Clean out your closets and bring any clean, unwanted shoes, jackets, clothing, sleeping bags, blankets, socks, gloves, and hats for donation to our homeless services program! You can also check out their website for a wish list of the items most needed. What seems like a little thing to us can mean a big difference to someone in need.
Registration
When you register, you'll be able to add on various extras such as a race shirt or hoodie, an additional donation to Interfaith Works Homeless Services, and pay an extra $20 per person for food and drinks for friends and family.
Race Entry Fee Includes: a fun event with a well-marked, scenic course, aid stations (except the 5K), chip timed results available on the spot, post race party with food and drinks including pizza, beer, and other food and drinks, and a portion of your entry fee will be donated to Interfaith Works Homeless Services.
Camping: There is a limited number of campsites available, and they tend to sell out quickly. Click here to reserve your campsite.
Food/Drinks for Friends and Family: Over the years at Rainshadow races, we've made the post-race food and drinks (pizza, other food, beer, soft drinks, etc.) free for everyone. And we'll continue to do that for runners who are running that day and volunteers who are helping that weekend. But for your friends and family who are coming to support you at the race, we ask that you pay $20 per person if they want to get food and drinks. You can add that to your registration fee, or folks can pay on race day.
Race Shirts
Race registration does not include a t-shirt, but runners can purchase a soft, high-quality cotton tee or hoodie featuring the race logo when they register. The deadline to order merch is August 10th at Noon. We might have a few extras for sale at the finish line.
Race Photos
Race registration does not include free photos. But folks will have the chance to purchase professional photos. We'll send out a link to the photo gallery after the race.
Timeline
Sunday TBD: 50K, 25K, 10K, 5K 12HR
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6:30 am: Bib pick up/Runner Check-in begins
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8:00 am: Race Start for all races
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7:30 pm: 50K & 25K runners need to start their last lap by 7:30 pm. As long as you start your last lap by 7:30 pm, you'll still get an official finish if you finish after 8 pm.
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8:00 pm: Finish Line Cut-off for 12hr Solo. 12hr folks will want to start their last lap well before 8 pm, as you'll only get credit for full laps completed by 8 pm.
Course Info
The course will be well-marked with arrow signs at each junction and a pink-and-black checkered confidence ribbon. You should not go more than half a mile without seeing a ribbon or sign. The trails are open to the public, so please be respectful of other trail users and slow down/yield to hikers and families. We want to set a good example for our trail running community.
Course Overview
This course is fun, scenic, and pretty flat, so it is perfect for beginners or those looking to set a PR(personal record). The course for 2024 will be a pleasant 5K loop through old-growth forest and along various waterways, which folks will do 1, 2, 5, or 10 times for the 5K, 10K, 25K, or 50K. The 12-hour solo folks will do as many loops as they want within that 12-hour period. We don't think it's unreasonable for a really fast 12hr runner to get 100 miles!
Each loop only has about 100 feet of elevation gain. The loop is a mixture of wide trails, single-track trails, a short wooden boardwalk, and a little bit of gravel park roads. The terrain is mostly smooth and usually dry at this time of year, but there are occasional roots and a few isolated mud puddles.
The start/finish will not be at the retreat center this year. Instead, we'll be back at our normal location, Kitchen #2, on the eastern shore of Deep Lake. The start/finish is just a short walk from the campground, and those who want to make this a camping weekend can easily do so by walking to/from the start/finish area. Again, perfect for families and groups!
Aid Station
The aid station will be stocked with water, Gnarly electrolyte drink, Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, fresh fruit, chips, pickles, and assorted cookies or candy. We will have a variety of gels, but we ask that you use them only to supplement what you are providing for yourself. There will also be first aid supplies, sunscreen, bug spray, and menstrual products for issues that arise on the course.
To reduce waste, this race is “cupless," meaning we avoid using disposable cups whenever possible, and to do so, we ask that you bring your own cup/bottle/hydration pack. You can buy a reusable cup from us when you register for the race and pick it up at runner check-in on race day.
Drop Bags
Runners can have drop bags at the aid station.
For those not familiar with drop bags, they're a way to have certain items at specific aid stations. If you prefer a specific type of nutrition or an electrolyte brand, you can put them in your bag and restock at the aid station instead of carrying them the whole way. Some people leave extra layers of clothing, gloves or hats, or dry socks in their bags. Runners are responsible for providing their own bag.
There will be a tarp set up at check-in, where you'll place your bag. We'll have duct tape and Sharpies if you want to label your bag.
Crew Access
This is a very easy race to crew, as there's just one location for crew (the start/finish/aid station), and the runners come through that location every 5K. The crew is welcome to cheer for the runners at any other part of the course; they're just not allowed to provide material support.
Chip Timing
Please wear your bib number on the front of your body and make sure it's always visible, even when you change layers. Don't bend the chip, and try not to put your hands in front of the bib while running over the timing mats at the starting and finish lines.
Results will be available at chronokeep.com
Cut-offs
7:30 pm: 50K & 25K runners need to start their last lap by 7:30 pm. As long as you start your last lap by 7:30 pm, you'll still get an official finish if you finish after 8 pm.
8:00 pm: Finish Line Cut-off for 12hr. 12hr folks will want to start their last lap well before 8 pm, as you'll only get credit for full laps completed by 8 pm.
To keep our race on schedule and within the time limits of our permits, we have a cutoff time for each race. Although these are public trails, you are participating as a registered participant in our event, and by signing up for the race, you agree to follow our rules and conditions for completing (or not completing) the race. If you refuse to leave the course after the cutoff and end up getting lost or injured, requiring search and rescue, our permitting agency could view that as negligence on our part (allowing runners on the course with no course markings or after the time we agreed to stop people). We take this rule seriously, and because it puts our permits in jeopardy, any runner who violates it may be subject to a ban from future races.
Parking & Driving Directions
The race takes place at Millersylvania State Park, just south of Olympia, Washington.
Millersylvania State Park is at 12245 Tilley Rd SW, Olympia, WA 98512, and is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Olympia.
From the main entrance to the park on Tilley Rd SW, you’ll go about ¼ mile and come to the entrance booth. Continue past the entrance booth another 1/10 of a mile, and you’ll go left to go past the campground, and almost immediately you’ll turn left to enter the race parking lot. The start/finish/aid station is at the far end of this parking lot.
Here’s a link to a Google Maps map for driving directions to the race start/finish/aid station area. We will have event parking signs for you to follow once you enter the park.
Parking is limited; please carpool and park as close as possible to other cars.
Volunteers
We always need volunteers on race day, and it is a great way to be a part of the event if you are not running. Volunteers get to eat and drink for free! Volunteer shifts range from just a couple of hours in the morning to an all-day shift at an aid station or in the finish area. We promise you will have fun!
If you are interested in volunteering for the race, please click here.
