Set your summer running calendar

Recovered from your North Olympic Discovery Marathon weekend races yet?

With summer in full swing and the weather on the Olympic Peninsula cooperating (for now), it’s a great time for runners and walkers to get in shape and plan their next run for later this summer or in early fall on — or just off — the peninsula.

Deer Run

Coming up this weekend is the Naval Magazine (NAVMAG) Indian Island’s annual Deer Run, set for 10 a.m. Saturday, July 15.

Beginning at 10 a.m., participants of all ages cover a 5-kilometer (3.10-mile) course through a forested area on the southern end of Indian Island, just southeast of Port Townsend and the Quimper Peninsula.

There is also a 1.2-mile road run available well-suited for young children, participants with special needs or those with strollers.

Non-military patrons are welcome to participate. Registered participants are allowed to enter the main gate at NAVMAG Indian Island starting at 8 a.m. Valid picture ID is required for entry.

If interested in purchasing a T-shirt, email nbkfitness@pnw.com with quantity and sizes.

To ensure timely base access at Indian Island, participants are encouraged to arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. the day of the race.

Cost to register is $5 for those 18 years and over. Participation is free for those 17 and under. Call 360-315-2134 or email nbkfitness@navylifepnw.com for more about the race.

Pre-registration for active duty military, full-time reservists, Department of Defense civilians and military retirees and family members is available via www.navylifepnw.com using MyFFR activity number 623400, and ends at noon, July 13.

Awards go to those finishing in the top three, both male and female, in each age division (17 and younger, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60+). The awards ceremony is scheduled for 11:15 a.m.

Last year, more than 220 people participated in the Deer Run.

Race the Reserve

Hop the ferry in Port Townsend and check out sixth annual Race the Reserve on Whidbey Island, set for Saturday, Aug. 12.

Already offering a half marathon, 10k and 5k run/walk, this event added a full marathon and marathon relay for 2017.

Runners begin and end their adventure on the south side of the seaport community of Coupeville. Traverse both Ebey’s Prairie and Crockett Prairie within Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. Longer runs (full, half marathons) go through Fort Casey State Park past a lighthouse and World War II-era bunkers.

The start and finish line is at the Coupeville High School gymnasium, 501 S. Main St. in Coupeville. The marathon kicks things off at 7 a.m. (walkers may start earlier), the half marathon goes at 7:30 a.m. and the 5k and 10k run/walk events start at 8 a.m.

Prior to July 20, cost is $30 for the 5k, $40 for 10k, $60 for half marathon, $80 for full marathon and $215 for marathon relay teams. Costs increase by $5 each on day-of-race registration, which opens at 5:30 a.m. Register by July 20 to guarantee a T-shirt size.

Packet pick-up is at the Coupeville High School gymnasium from 3-6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11.

See racethereserve.com for more information or to register.

Valley of the Trolls

With the theme “Trolls Gone Wild,” the The Valley of the Trolls 3 half marathon, 10k and 5k are set for an 8 a.m. start on Saturday, Aug. 19.

Set at Bandy Farms and the famed Troll Haven grounds at 950 Gardiner Beach Road, this race sees runners and walkers traverse course on a privately-owned estate occupying 150 acres along Discovery Bay.

This year has an added element of competition: Cities/towns of Sequim, Chimacum, Forks, Port Angeles and Port Townsend are competing to garner the most participants, with the top community receiving a donation to their prep track and field teams.

Cost prior to Aug. 1 is $35 for the 5k, $40 for the 10k and $55 for the half marathon. Prices go up $5 for each event up to race day.

T-shirts are including in entry and will be guaranteed on race day if participants are signed up on or before Aug. 1. Those registering after Aug. 1 receive shirts either on race day or by mail.

Packet pick-up is 5-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, at The Castle (race headquarters) at Bandy Farms.

Commemorative awards are presented to the top male and female runners in the half-marathon, as well as in age groups (12 and younger, 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and 80+) .

Check out a course map and more details at aasports ltd.com/event/valley-of-the-trolls.

For more information, contact Jane Storm (thestorms@q.com, 360-385-2291) or Rebecca (206-779-2979) or see www. jeffcofriends.com.

GOAT runs

The GOAT full and half marathon races are set for Saturday, Aug. 16, on the Olympic Adventure Trail just west of Port Angeles.

Runners enjoy a course along a trail that was constructed to be a “temporary” route to connect two sections of the Olympic Discovery Trail while the official trail is constructed and has now become a permanent fixture for trail runners, hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers alike.

The marathon starts at 8:30 a.m. and the half starts at 10 a.m. The full marathon course starts near the Elwha River and follows the entire length of the Olympic Adventure Trail — 21-plus miles of single-track trail and four miles of forest road — with the final 0.75 miles on a paved road, finishing at the Log Cabin Resort at Lake Crescent.

The half marathon route follows the Olympic Adventure Trail for 8-plus miles of single-track trail and 4-plus miles of forest road, and similarly ending on a paved road at Lake Crescent.

While there are no T-shirts for the event, participants are treated to snacks and drinks at the finish line and runners also get a complimentary pint glass and contents. Those who don’t like beer can get their pint glass filled with soft serve ice cream or another beverage available, including coffee drinks.

Shuttle buses pick up marathon participants at 8 a.m. at Crescent Grange and half marathon participants at 9:30 a.m., to get to the GOAT starting line.

Packet pick-up is 4-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, at Harbinger Winery in Port Angeles, or starting at 7 a.m. at the Crescent Grange in Joyce.

Cost is $70 for the full marathon, $50 for the half marathon.

See greatoatrun.org for registration details, course maps and more information.

Quilcene Oyster Half Marathon

Just down the road a bit is the 2017 Quilcene Oyster Half Marathon, 10k and 5k races, all set for Sunday, Sept. 17.

Each registered participant who completes the course receives a medal. Runners/walkers are entitled to one free sample of oysters and those 21 or older are entitled to one free beer (must present ID before race).

Register by July 14 and save $5. Prior to July 14, cost is $25 for the 5k, $35 for the 10k and $55 for the half marathon. Prices increase by $5 after July 14 and another $5 on day-of-race registration for most races. (Active duty military personnel get a $5 discount.)

T-shirts may be purchased with online registration, but purchases must be made by Aug. 24. Online registration closes Sept. 10.

Early packet pick-up will be Saturday, Sept. 16, during the Quilcene Fair at Worthington Park, and afterwards until 6 p.m.

Medals will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in each race. In the half marathon, medals also will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in each age group (15 and younger, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-79 and 80+).

Proceeds benefit the local nonprofit organizations Quilcene/Brinnon Dollars for Scholars and Count Me In For Quilcene.

See quilcenehalfmarathon.com to register or for more information.

And more …

Want a bit more than just running? Get a team together for the Big Hurt, a multi-sport race in Port Angeles set for Sept. 23. The event includes four legs: a 16.5-mile mountain bike course, a 3-mile kayak leg, a 30-mile road bike section and finishing with a 10-kilometer run, all finishing at the Port Angeles waterfront. Cost is $85 for Iron Division (single entry) and $220 per team (up to four participants). Register and find more information at bighurtpa.com.

Seeking a run with international flavor? Hop the ferry in Port Angeles to check out the Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 8. This race takes place each year on the Sunday of the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday weekend and is accompanied by a marathon relay, half marathon, 8k road race and a 1.25k Thrifty Foods Kids Run. Races are held on the waterfront in Victoria, B.C. Cost (prior to Sept. 15) is $110 for the marathon and $85 for the half marathon. Cost for the 8k is $40 before July 15 and $45 between then and Sept. 15. Online registration closes Oct. 4. Find out more at raceroster.com/events/2017/8720/goodlife-fitness-victoria-marathon.