Mount Rainier Half Marathon & 5K
July 15-16, 2022
Ashford, WA
Difficulty:
Mixed Terrain
Loop Course
Race Info
Half Marathon
Date: July 16, 2022
Start Time: 6:00 AM
Ashford, WA
5K & Fun Run
Date: July 15, 2022
Start Time: 7:00 PM
Ashford, WA
Expo & Bib Pickup
Friday, July 15, 2022
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Ashford, WA
* Expo bib pickup is recommended. Limited bibs available at the start line race morning.
The Course
Terrain: This is a mixed terrain loop course with both dirt trail and pavement.
Strollers allowed? No
Disability Friendly? No
Dogs allowed? No
Course Photos
Get a feel for the terrain and landscape that await you out on the course!
GET INVOLVED
Support Our
Park Communities
Fundraise for your chosen race and your registration fee could be waived. All funds go to Wander Project to support efforts in and around the communities that host our events.
Volunteer with Us!
Our amazing volunteers help runners at the race expo, finish line, merch tent, and beyond! Join us for a 3-4hr shift and earn a $50 or $100 credit towards a future race.
Pro-tip: Volunteer at the expo and run the next day OR ask a friend to volunteer and "gift" you the credit (or use it themselves!)
Mount Rainier Half Marathon
Start: 6:00 am in Ashford, WA
End: 11:00 am (4 hours after the final runner starts)
Run through the peaceful community of Ashford, Washington at the entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. This course will take you through beautiful pacific northwest landscapes. You’ll run through peaceful forests, among wildflowers, ferns and lush undergrowth, over streams and rivers all the while catching glimpses of Mount Rainier as the trees part to reveal her in all her majesty towering over the course.
The first mile has runners heading west with Rainier at their back on Hwy 706 (National Park Hwy). This section is on road. Shortly after Mile 1, runners turn onto a dirt trail through some private property to tie into some dirt roads through the trees. Runners will be on dirt roads until just past Mile 8. Around Mile 3 runners will cross Nisqually River for the first time and hit the first aid station.
Runners will continue south on the dirt roads, hitting the first of two good climbs near Mile 4. The second aid station will be near Mile 5. At about Mile 6 runners will hit the second (and more significant of the two) hills, climbing around 300ft in a mile (it gets steeper at about 6.5). It can be harder going up a mountain than down, but the views are better at the top. From about mile 7 to 8 is a pretty good downhill, then the course is pretty level from there to the finish. The third aid station will be waiting for you at the top of the hill near Mile 7.
The course will change from dirt road back to pavement just past Mile 8. Runners will hit the fourth aid station just before crossing the Nisqually River for the second time near Mile 9. The course hops back onto Hwy 706 briefly before taking some side roads up to Ashford County Park where the finish line is.
Click the image above to view the course and aid stations via MapMyRun
Time limit
All runners will have 4 hours to finish the race (chip time). That is an 18 minute mile - plenty of time for walkers! If at anytime we deem it unsafe and need to pull a runner off the course, we would hope for understanding and immediate cooperation. Failure to comply will result in being banned from future events.
Course Records
Overall Male: Spencer Castro - 1:20:41
Overall Female: Chelsea Bennis - 1:31:09
Masters Male: Brian Mease - 1:31:23
Masters Female: Samantha Comte - 1:46:5
Aid Stations
Expect about 6 aid stations on the course at around mile 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 12. A medic will be stationed typically at the aid station at or near mile 7. Keep in mind, the exact location of each aid station may vary from race to race. Aid stations include toilets, water, Gnarly Hydrate, Honey Stinger gels, basic first aid supplies, and sometimes more.
All stations are cup-free so plan to bring your own hydration solution or request a free HydraPouch when you register.
Bib Pickup Options
You have a couple of options for picking up your bib and race packet including at the Race Expo, the start line, or we can mail it to you.
Option #1: Race Expo
Always the Friday before our race, the expo is the best option for bib pickup. We’ll have our merchandise table set up, so be sure to stop by and say hi!
Option #2: Race Morning (not recommended)
We will have limited race morning bib and packet pickup on race morning at the start line. Get there early!
Option #3: Shipped Before the Race ($30)
You can add a shipped bib to your registration until one month before the race by logging into RunSignup, clicking Manage Registration, and Add Ons.
Refunds: Once your package is shipped, you are officially checked in to the race and no longer qualify for our refund, deferment, or transfer options.
Race Expo
All of our events are cup-free and bag-free to help us reduce waste! Please plan to bring a reusable hydration source or request a free HydraPouch at registration.
Friday, July 15
11 AM–7 PM
We encourage you to attend the race expo which will be on July 15 at Ashford County Park (the same place as the finish line). This is your chance to see the area, pick up your bib packet, and check out merchandise.
Schedule
SATURDAY
4:30 AM - Parking lots open
4:30 AM - Start line bib pick-up opens
5:45 AM - Last call for gear check & runners line up
5:50 AM - National Anthem
6:00 AM - OFFICIAL START
9:15 AM - Awards ceremony
10:00 AM* - Race cut-off time
*All runners are given 4 hours to reach the finish line. To help avoid congestion at that start, we sometimes have a rolling start...this means the cut-off time is approximate.
Runner Parking
Opens at 4:30 AM
Start line lot on Natl Park Hwy
(29805 WA-706 Ashford, WA)
*The start line & parking are walking distance to the finish line
Runner Drop-off & Spectator Parking
Drop-off and spectator parking are both located across the street inside the entrance to Ashford County Park. Please enter, loop through the park, and follow signs for our designated drop-off and parking areas.
Fixed Reservation Period:
Friday at 3:00 pm - Sunday at 9:00am
*Your tent must be packed up and returned by 9:00 am on Sunday!
Location:
Ashford, WA (Click for precise GPS location)
Campsite Only (bring your own tent) | Campsite + 4 Person Tent Rental | Campsite + 6 Person Tent Rental |
|---|---|---|
$50 | $100 | $130 |
The most convenient (and fun) place to stay during race weekend is our Vacation Races Campground! It is located right near our race and expo site in Ashford, WA so you can sleep in and walk to the start line on race morning.
You can sleep in your car, tent, hammock, or rent a tent from us for an additional charge. RVs and trailers are not allowed. Whichever you choose, you still have to reserve a spot.
Space is limited and will most likely sell out. Campsites do not include cots, sleeping bags, pillows, headlamps, cooking stoves and supplies.
You can reserve a spot at the campground when you sign up for the race in RunSignup (opens Sept. 24). The campground will sell out fast, so plan to register early!
Spectators are welcome at the Mount Rainier Half Marathon! Please stick to the parking area designated for you on race morning. You will be located walking distance to both the start and finish line.
Some Spectator Etiquette:
- Only park in designated areas
- Please do not eat the runners' food or beverage
- Please remain outside of the runner recovery area (finish line) while waiting for your runner
- Give our runners your best cheers as they cross the finish line! They deserve it!
Mount Rainier 5K & Fun Run
Date: Friday, July 15th
Start Time:
Location: Ashford County Park (Ashford, WA)
What's the Fun Run? The Fun Run is for those who do not wish to be timed. You run the same course and receive a race shirt and medal, but you will not be able to compete for any awards.
The Course
Paved Road
Stroller friendly? Yes
Disability friendly? Yes
Course description coming soon!
Click for an interactive map
Aid Station
There will be one aid station on the course near the half way point (mile 1.5). The aid station will have water, Gnarly, and bathrooms. Like the half marathon, this race will be cupless!
Bib Pickup
5K & Fun Run runners can pick up their bibs at the race expo before the race. Please plan to come early to avoid a last minute rush.
What is the Sasquatch Double?
To give our runners an extra challenge, events with both a 5K and Half Marathon can be combined as a "Double". Our intrepid Double runners commit to running a 5K + Half Marathon within 24 hours!
Challenge Rewards
To celebrate your accomplishment, Double runners receive:
1. Additional Double medals
(Just like your race-specific medal, these are given out near the finish line AFTER you complete your Double.)
2. One special swag item
(Choose your item at registration, then pick it up at the race expo! We'll have additional items for sale.)
Sasquatch Double
Races:
Mount Rainier 5K
Mount Rainier Half Marathon
Two races, one weekend! You'll run both Mt. Rainier races within the span of 24 hours. Pretty hard, core right?
With a Sasquatch Double registration, you'll earn:
Check in before the 5K and use this bib for both races.
Registration & Upgrades
You MUST register for your specific Double not separate races.
If you register for the races separately, you will need to upgrade into the correct Double in order to receive special swag and medals.
Need to upgrade to a Double?
This is considered an event transfer. You can transfer into a Double via your account on Run Signup.
*if you deferred or transferred into this race your race credit will appear as $0. Contact us at info@vacationraces.com and we'll complete the upgrade for you!
As nature lovers, we are committed to keeping our events sustainable and managing negative impacts on the environment. Our goal is to send less than one bag of actual “trash” to the landfill after each event. We have managed to meet this goal at events with over 3,000 participants!
Here's how you can help us:
CUP-FREE RACING
All Vacation Races events are "cup-free". Coolers of water and Gnarly Hydrate (electrolyte drink) are available at all aid stations, but cups will not be provided on course or at the finish line. In order to stay hydrated, we ask you to bring one of the following:
1. Reusable water bottle - you can fill these up at any aid station and at the start/finish
2. Hydrapouch - These handheld cups clip onto your clothes and are our recommended choice! We offer these free when you register, but they will also be available at the expo for $10.
3. Hydration pack - These are refillable backpacks meant for running that allow you to access fluid via a built-in straw.
ZERO WASTE CONTAINERS
You can help us reduce trash by sorting disposable items into the appropriate container.
You’ll notice three containers at our events:
Please avoid putting organic waste and compostable items in the wrong bin. It gets gross to sort through.
Toilets
When possible, we also use Great Outdoors Composting Portable Toilets which conserve water, eliminates the use of harmful chemicals, and create a nutrient rich soil amenity. It is the best pooping experience you will ever have. To learn more or to have them at your event visit GreatOutdoorsToilets.com or ask the race officials for more information.
Past Results
You'll be able to view your time ~20 minute after you finish by going to RunSignup.com or heading to the Race Results tent and scanning a QR code.
If you see that you placed, but didn't stick around for the awards ceremony, no worries! You can request to have your place medal shipped to you!
If you have questions about your placement or results, please email timing@vacationraces.com.
Photos
Race Photos
Race photos are typically available on RunSignup.com the Friday following the week of the race. We will send out an email when they're posted to the album as well as place the link below. This year we are offering race photos FREE to all our runners!
Share your experiences with us!
Be sure to use #RainierHalf in any photos you post from the race or your adventures exploring the park so we can share in the fun with you!
