Have no fear: there are no trolls on this race course, just a day packed with planned fun.
The Friends of Jefferson County Parks and Recreation host Valley of the Trolls, a 5k, 10k and half-marathon run/walk, set for 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22.
The races start and finish at Troll Haven/Bandy Farms, 950 Gardiner Beach Road.
Jane Storm said she and other race organizers expect between 350 and 400 people to show for this first “Troll” run. As of early last week, the event already had 260-plus registrants.
“I know we’re going to get a lot of race-day people,” Storm said. “It’s already a success. People are so excited.”
Finishers get one-of-a-kind medals designed by Port Townsend artist Jeremy Fields.
“He’s been doing different things for us for years,” Storm said. “I said (to Fields), ‘This is right up your alley.’ I didn’t want to use Troll Haven’s troll. I wanted something that people go, ‘Wow, nobody gives us that kind of medal.’”
Men’s and women’s half marathon race winners receive a wood carving featuring a troll designed by Storm’s husband.
The Valley of the Trolls also includes a Kids Sprint for Health for youngsters 9 and younger, including infants. Participants get a ribbon and T-shirt.
“It’s a way to get kids interested in running,” Storm said.
Early registration discounts are gone now, so registrants will pay $60 for the half marathon, $45 for the 10k and $35 for the 5k.
Awards are presented to the overall male and female, and master males and females in each event, as well as age groups (12 and younger, 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and 80+).
For more information, contact Jane Storm (360-774-6066, thestorms@q.com) or Rebecca Krajewski (206-779-2979, rjkrajewski@hotmail.com). See aasportsltd.com/event/valley-of-the-trolls.
And while the “Trolls” race doesn’t feature any kind of supernatural beings on the course, that may not hold true for the Spooktacular Run held Oct. 24 in conjunction with Bandy Farms’ Oct. 24 haunted house event, Storm said. The Spooktacular Run is a 5k and one-mile, family friendly event in the late afternoon featuring costumes and glow lights, with a haunted house to follow.
Troll Haven has been a unique, 150-plus-acre fixture since 1977 on Bandy Farms in Gardiner, one often sought out by peninsula tourists.
