Rainier to Ruston
Rail-Trail Relay and Ultra
June 4, 2011

50 Mile Running Relay - 15 Mile Walking Relay - 50K & 50M Ultra

Event website:  http://www.rainiertoruston.com/

On National Trails Day, Saturday June 4, 2011, runners, walkers, and ultras will take on the ninth annual Rainier to Ruston Rail-Trail Relay and Ultra. The course follows the Foothills Trail from the shoulders of Mt. Rainier to the shores of Puget Sound. The trail passes through pristine wilderness and historic communities, following the old Northern Pacific railroad grade that once brought settlers and supplies into the west. The top runners, walkers, and ultras in each division receive the coveted Golden Spike Awards.

The Rainier to Ruston helps to promote the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition, a 501(c)(3) which is dedicated to completing a contiguous, non-motorized, public trail from Mt. Rainier to Tacoma.

You can participate in any number of ways:

• Runners tackle the course as a relay, dividing the 12 legs (each approximately four miles) among teams of two, three, four, or six runners.

• Walkers complete a 15-mile course of 3 legs, either solo or as part of a relay with teams of three, or six walkers. A relay team of 3 would consist of each walker walking one leg and a team of 6 would consist of 3 pairs of walkers walking one leg each.

• Ultras run the entire 50-mile course or the last 50 K. Rainier to Ruston is a qualifying event for the famous Western States 100-mile Endurance Run and is also part of the Trail Runner Trophy Series.
  
  

   

• Racers compete in divisions for Open, Military (reserve or active), High School, Collegiate (all in a college or  university), Masters (all 40+), Super Masters (average 60+), and Challenged Athlete (discuss your needs with the race director). 

• Those who would like to attend as spectators are welcome, as is anyone else who wants to enjoy the trail on National Trails Day. See Race Day Schedule to see when racers will be passing through the towns along the course.

• Want to join a team, but don't know enough people to form one? Sign up for the waiting pool, and get your name on our waiting pool list. It won't be long until a team captain contacts you, or, alternatively, you can contact others on the list to form a team of your own.

Registration Fees:

Event	Jan 1 - Feb 28	March 1 - April 30	May 1 - June 1
Challenged Athlete	$20	$20	$20
15-Mile Relay Walker	$25	$30	$35
50-Mile Relay Runner	$35	$40	$45
15-Mile Solo Walker	$25	$30	$35
50K Ultra Runner	$45	$50	$55
50-Mile Ultra Runner	$45	$50	$55

 

The purpose of this event is to raise public awareness of the Foothills Trail and donations are encouraged. The Green Spike will be given to the captain of the team making the most generous donation as well as the solo runner or walker making the most generous donation. You can find out more about improvements to the trail in our Founders Corner.

Event Contacts:
Rob Hester, Race Director, (253) 226-5495, rcwhester@yahoo.com