Runners flock to Washington's wilderness

Run, don’t walk, to join James Varner’s Rainshadow Running operation, which allows avid runners to take “mini-vacations” while they run amidst some of the most beautiful scenery the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
Each year, Rainshadow Running hosts about fifteen race events in Washington state, and one in Oregon. The races vary from 5K to 50K and take runners to such areas as the Columbia River Gorge, Yakima Canyon, Lake Chelan and its’ Sawtooth Wilderness, Orcas Island, and also Cascade Locks located in Oregon. This latter race, which will be held March 25th, sold out early. It’s a favorite route for those in the know, as it winds around, behind, and below eight different waterfalls.
When Varner created his Rainshadow series in 2008 he wanted to provide fellow trail running enthusiasts access to some of the most spectacular routes in the region. All trails zig and zag up and down routes that venture through old growth forests with their towering wood giants covered in moss and past mountain meadows, lakes and waterfalls.
Each series offers both high endurance runs like the 50K as well as more manageable 25K runs which the public can attend. Most of the runs also sell out quickly and are capped at about 200 or 300 participants max. Of course the idea to run through the wilderness is great, Varner also wants to preserve the wilderness as well.
The next trail races are set for June and August. If you’re interested, be sure to check out more information and sign up quickly to secure your spot.
See here for more information.







