Rainier to Ruston Relay

A 50 mile relay from Mount Rainier to Tacoma’s waterfront!

In the Rainier to Ruston runners enjoy the journey from the majestic base of Mount Rainier to the stunning waterfront of Tacoma. You’re invited to celebrate with us! Relay Runners will commemorate the old railroad by passing through bell standards in each town on the way to the sea. Be sure to attend the bell-ringing in your town! Runners will traverse gorgeous forests, historic Washington towns and cites, finishing the run along a beautiful waterfront park with a view of Mt. Rainier. The downhill and flat course is a runners dream. We look forward to having you join us! Run for the trails, stay for the party!

Relay teams start near the Carbon River entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park and finish at Marine Park on Tacoma’s Ruston Way. The course passes through deep forests, alongside rushing rivers and streams and through historic towns. It uses the paved Foothills Trail to the extent possible (41%) and roads (23%), sidewalks (7%) and rough trails (29%) when not.

Many ways to participate

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

Teams compete in several divisions and categories for awards.

We try to distribute teams evenly across four wave starts in order to minimize the congestion of support vehicles at the upper exchanges. It also means that more teams arrive at the finish area between 3 and 5 pm. Please estimate the average pace of your team as accurately as possible.

Race Day Schedule

Race Start and Check-In is located at the Tacoma Mountaineers’ Parking Lot about 1/2 mile from the Carbon River entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park.
2 MILES PAST 35415 Fairfax Forest Reserve Rd E, Carbonado, WA 98323

No vehicles 80″ or wider, or longer than 20′. No motor homes, buses or limos are allowed on the course by any team or team support.

7AM Start Time – WAVE A
Running Relay Teams averaging 10:35 minutes/mile or more

8AM Start Time – WAVE B
Running Relay Teams averaging 9:40 – 10:35 minutes/mile

9AM Start Time – WAVE C
Running Relay Teams averaging 8:40 – 9:40 minutes/mile

10AM Start Time – WAVE D
Running Relay Teams averaging less than 8:40 minutes/mile

We try to distribute teams evenly across four wave starts in order to minimize the congestion of support vehicles at the upper exchanges. Please estimate the average pace of your team as accurately as possible. Runners will not be eligible for awards if they start in a different wave time than they are registered for.

The schedule below will help you know when racers will be coming through. Of course these times depend on all teams accurately estimating their pace and seeding themselves in the correct wave.

First and Last Arrival Times

Rainier 7:00/10:00
Fairfax 7:51/10:42
Carbonado 9:04/11:42
Wilkeson 9:41/12:12
South Prairie 10:41/13:01
Crocker 11:29/13:41
Orting 11:58/14:04
McMillin 12:34/14:33
Meeker 13:12/15:05
Puyallup 13:51/15;37
Fife 14:47/16:35
Tacoma 15:06/17:13
Ruston 15:31/18:02

Awards Ceremony

Marine Park on Ruston Way

3939 Ruston Way, Tacoma, WA 98402

Awards will be given at the finish line on a continuous basis starting soon after the first team arrives, about 3:30 pm. There may be a delay in the announcements due to the four start times on the relay. Runners staring in the wrong wave will not be eligible for awards.

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