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Overview

This run offers three different distance choices, including a 5-mile perfect for the trail running novice and more challenging Half Marathon and 50k courses.  The courses make use of the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail and the Snoqualmie Valley Trail.  As always, all courses are well-marked and have ample, well-stocked aid stations.

Route Descriptions

5-mile: From the start at Rattlesnake Lake, the course crosses Cedar Falls Road (cross when directed by event staff) and follows the wide Snoqualmie Valley Trail down the gentle grade toward North Bend, reaches the turn-around point at the halfway mark, then returns to the finish at the Rattlesnake Lake picnic area via the same route.  Elevation gain: about 200 feet.

Half Marathon: Please note that this course is point-to-point, with the start and finish locations far apart, so runners will either need to sign up for the shuttle bus or arrange a car shuttle with other runners.  From the start at Snoqualmie Point Park, the course follows the Snoqualmie Ridge Trail to Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area, passing aid station #1/3 at the radio towers.  Immediately after aid station #4, adjacent to the Rattlesnake Ledge Trail parking area, the route crosses Cedar Falls Way.  Event staff will assist in watching for traffic and determining when it is safe to cross.  The course follows the Snoqualmie Valley Trail toward North Bend, going about 1.4 miles to the turn-around point along the trail, before returning to Rattlesnake Lake via the Snoqualmie Valley Trail and finishing at the picnic area.  Elevation gain: about 2700 feet.

50k: From the start at Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area, the course follows the Snoqualmie Ridge Trail to Snoqualmie Point Park, passing aid station #1 at the radio towers along the way.  Immediately after aid station #2, at the Snoqualmie Point Park Trailhead, the course proceeds along the left side of the park entry road (Winery Road), then where it bends right toward I-90, the course goes left at the junction onto the blockaded road, continuing onto the trail up the steep hill where the road ends adjacent to Echo Lake.  The course continues on the small trail across the first power line, then at the second power line, turns left onto the forest road, continues back to the crossing with the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail, and proceeds Southeast along the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail back to aid station #1/3 and to Rattlesnake Lake.  Upon returning to Rattlesnake Lake and immediately after aid station #4, the course crosses Cedar Falls Way.  Event staff will assist in watching for traffic and determining when it is safe to cross.  Follow the Snoqualmie Valley Trail toward North Bend.  At aid station #5 near SE 145th St is the turn-around point, and the course then follows the Snoqualmie Valley Trail back to the finish at Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area.  Elevation gain: about 6500 feet.

Aid Stations

The 5 mile course will pass a water station at or near the halfway point.

The Half Marathon will pass two aid stations, at approximately 5 miles and 10 miles.

The 50k will pass five aid stations, at approximately 5 miles, 10 miles, 17 miles, 23 miles, and 27 miles.

The aid stations will have at least water, electrolyte drink, and some carbohydrate-rich or salty foods, such as cookies, pieces of energy bar, gels, chews, chips, bagel, fruity candy, fig bars, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and/or bananas.

Safety and Trail Etiquette

The trails will be open to other users during the event, including pedestrians on all trails and bicyclists and equestrians (horseback riders) on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail. Please be courteous. Horses have the right of way, and if you encounter a horse in your path, stop running and talk to the rider; you will probably need to step to the side of the trail to let the horse past, but sometimes the rider will tell you it is okay to walk past. The amount of trail traffic usually depends on the weather.

There is a road crossing point near Rattlesnake Lake, where all courses will cross Cedar Falls Road.  Event staff will be there to assist you in determining when there is a break in traffic and it is safe to cross.  Please follow their instructions, as well as looking out for cars yourself.  Cedar Falls Road is usually lightly used this close to the end of the publicly accessible part, however there could be many recreational visitors to the lake, watershed, and John Wayne Trailhead on a Summer weekend, so it may be necessary to wait a short time to cross.

Most of the trails are fairly easily runnable, but there are rougher sections, especially on the southeastern part of the Rattlsnake Ridge trail and on the 50k turn-around route after the course passes Snoqualmie Point Park.  Always be ready and watching for roots, bumps and other uneven spots, and be careful where you put your feet in rougher sections.

Participants are responsible for their own safety while participating, and the organizers are neither qualified nor equipped to render medical care in the event of a serious injury. In case of an emergency, call 9-1-1. You are encouraged to bring a cell phone with you as a safety precaution, if you wish.

Where the trails are narrow, please let other participants pass you if they want to get by. It is a passing runner's job to tell the person in front that they wish to pass.