A schedule packed full of varied adventure across the Olympic Peninsula awaits sports enthusiasts on the Peninsula Adventure Sports 2024 calendar.
Lorrie Mittmann, owner and race director, announced this year’s events that include the Big Hurt and Little Hurt, OAT and GOAT races and more.
“We are thrilled to unveil our 2024 race calendar, representing a diverse range of races that capture the essence of adventure on the Olympic Peninsula,” she said.
“Each event is an opportunity to push boundaries, embrace the spirit of community, and, of course, have a great time.”
This year’s schedule includes:
• Frosty Moss Relay
Set for Saturday, March 16, this is an 30- or 80-mile relay run across Clallam County via the Olympic Discovery Trail. The 80-mile race also includes the single-track Olympic Adventure Trail. Teams up to five members work their way through 14 exchange zones, with an after-party hosted by 7 Cedars Casino.
• OAT Run (Olympic Adventure Trail Run)
Slated for Saturday, April 13, the OAT will once again include a point-to-point 12k and half-marathon trail running race, as well as an out-and-back 50k, on the Olympic Adventure Trail just west of Port Angeles. The race is followed by an after-party with food, beer garden, bonfire and door prizes at Extreme Sports Park. This event sells out every year, so racers should not delay in getting signed up.
• Gravel Unravel
A three-race series, Peninsula Adventure Sports hosting race 2 (Bon Jon Pass Out) in Quilcene and race 3 (Why-Not-Chee) at Wynoochee Lake. The races are put on in partnership with Worthington Park in Quilcene, LaVogue Cyclery in Hoquiam, and Eleven Winery on Bainbridge Island as the series sponsor and take place in Olympic National Forest. Bon Jon Pass Out is on Saturday, June 15, and Why-Not-Chee is on Saturday, July 20.
• GOAT Run (Great Olympic Adventure Trail Run)
Scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 7, the GOAT — celebrating its 10th year in 2024 — is a point-to-point half-marathon, marathon, and 50K trail running race on the Olympic Adventure Trail. The race ends at Lake Crescent inside Olympic National Park, with an after-party at Log Cabin Resort.
• Big Hurt
Set for Saturday, Sept. 28, this is a multi-sport race including four legs — mountain bike, kayak, road bike and 10k run — in which athletes can participate solo in Iron Division or as a two— three- or four-person relay team. New for 2024 expanded options for kayaks to include more surf-ski style models, and paddleboards will no longer be allowed in the kayak leg. Also new is a participation limit of 75 Iron Division competitors and 75 teams.
• Little Hurt
The companion event to the Big Hurt, the Little Hurt sees youths in grades 1-8 bike, run and row on rowing machines on Sunday, Sept. 29. This nonprofit race sees all participants get a finisher medal and t-shirt. New for 2024 is the addition of a bike and run version for kindergarten and pre-kindergarten participants. Plans are still being finalized, Mittman said.
• Salt Creek 24
Building off a first successful event in 2023, the Salt Creek 24 take on the 1.34-mile loop course at Salt Creek Recreation Area on a 24-hour clock on Oct. 26-27.
In 2023, first-time race director Brittany Shrout made the race a success, Mittman said, with about 100 runners/walkers, either solo or as relay teams, taking on course. Three solo runners succeeded in completing 100 miles to earn their Salt Creek 24 belt buckle. A simultaneous Striped Peak Last Runner Standing event had intrepid racers summiting Striped Peak every hour on the hour until all dropped out or timed out but one. The race lasted 13 hours for a total of almost 50 miles and 13,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain.
The two races are expected to double in size for 2024. These races can optionally be done as a fundraiser, with racers able to support charity they like. (For more information, contact Shrout at saltcreek24rd@gmail.com.
Register now
Most races on the 2024 Peninsula Adventure Sports calendar are open for registration at PeninsulaAdventureSports.com, allowing eager participants to secure their spots early.
A portion of all race proceeds are donated to local nonprofits, with an emphasis on groups that maintain local recreational assets or get youth outdoors.
The races are made possible by a slate of volunteers and sponsors, including community partners North Olympic Healthcare Network and the Port of Port Angeles.
In addition, the races are supported by lodging tax grants from Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau and City of Port Angeles.
“We welcome any new volunteers and sponsors that might like to help make the races happen,” Mittmann said, urging those interested to contact her at lorrie@peninsulaadventuresports.com.
“We can customize any sponsorships to meet the goals of the sponsoring business.”
Visit PeninsulaAdventureSports.com for more information.
