orcas island 100M
February 23-25 2024 olga, wa
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Overview
The Orcas Island 100 mile is unique in the trail running world, with old-growth forests, tough climbs, and spectacular views of surrounding islands, mountains, and Puget Sound, but what truly sets it apart is the chance to hang out all weekend on a gorgeous island with your trail runner friends. But don't underestimate the difficulty of this race! Cold, wet, dark, and steep this race is not for the faint of heart.
With it's inception in 2016, this race has quickly gained a reputation as having an old school, laid back, grassroots vibe to it. Because runners do four 25 mile loops, the aid station volunteers get to know the runners, the runners look forward to seeing the friendly aid station volunteers, the crews get to know the volunteers, the staff bonds with each runner, you get the picture! By the end of the weekend, we all feel like family and we guarantee you will cry at the awards ceremony (at least once).
The Orcas Island 100 mile is unique in the trail running world, with old-growth forests, tough climbs, and spectacular views of surrounding islands, mountains, and Puget Sound, but what truly sets it apart is the chance to hang out all weekend on a gorgeous island with your trail runner friends. But don't underestimate the difficulty of this race! Cold, wet, dark, and steep this race is not for the faint of heart.
With it's inception in 2016, this race has quickly gained a reputation as having an old school, laid back, grassroots vibe to it. Because runners do four 25 mile loops, the aid station volunteers get to know the runners, the runners look forward to seeing the friendly aid station volunteers, the crews get to know the volunteers, the staff bonds with each runner, you get the picture! By the end of the weekend, we all feel like family and we guarantee you will cry at the awards ceremony (at least once).
- This race is hard, beautiful, fun, rewarding, and really hard
- 100 miles
- (4) 25 mile loops
- 15 awesome aid stations
- No pacers
- Crew allowed at most of the aid stations.
- Elevation gain: ~26,000ft
- 36 hour cutoff
- 3.5 hour drive north of Seattle Airport including 1 hour ferry ride through the San Juan Islands
- Weather varies from rainy to snowy to sunny
- The course is mostly beautiful single track trail, sometimes rugged, sometimes smooth
- All runners get a hoodie
- All finishers get a belt buckle
- Special award for all Tower Club Members(those who take the optional trip to the top of the Mt Constitution Tower on all 4 loops)
- Everyone invited to the heart-warming awards ceremony Sunday AM
Registration
All prices include a solid brass finisher's belt buckle, finisher hoodie, free all-you-can-eat handmade pizza and beer (along with other snacks and non-alcoholic drinks) for all registered runners and their friends/family and awards ceremony.
No refunds or transfers. See our Cancellation Policy for details about if you need/want to cancel your race entry.
- $325 (plus applicable fees) until August 1st, 2023
- $365 (plus applicable fees) until the race sells out
All prices include a solid brass finisher's belt buckle, finisher hoodie, free all-you-can-eat handmade pizza and beer (along with other snacks and non-alcoholic drinks) for all registered runners and their friends/family and awards ceremony.
No refunds or transfers. See our Cancellation Policy for details about if you need/want to cancel your race entry.
COVID Plans
As guidance evolves we will continue to monitor the situation and adjust our COVID safety plans. Here are current plans for this race:
As guidance evolves we will continue to monitor the situation and adjust our COVID safety plans. Here are current plans for this race:
- Encouraging everyone to get vaccinated AND boosted
- Asking that if you're sick that you stay home
- Reducing contact of surfaces and increased cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces.
- Having volunteers use gloves whenever preparing or handling food and drinks.
Trail Work & Qualifying
RACE QUALIFIER:
ALL entrants must have completed one of the following:
TRAIL WORK: All 100-mile participants are required to volunteer on trails (any trails, any where) for at least eight hours between June 1st, 2023 - February 10th, 2024. Our goal is to have runners give back directly to the trails that they love and train on. Volunteering at a trail race will not meet this requirement. We must have received your trail work form by February 17th 2024. Click on the link below to download the form.
Alternatively, if you cannot complete the trail work in time, you have the option to donate to a group or organization who focuses on trail restoration, building, or conservation. We have set the minimum donation at $50 and you need to submit proof of the donation to volunteer@rainshadowrunning.com
RACE QUALIFIER:
ALL entrants must have completed one of the following:
- Organized trail 50-miler OR 100K with at least 7,000 feet of gain since Jan. 1st 2018
- Organized trail 100 mile race since Jan. 1st, 2018
TRAIL WORK: All 100-mile participants are required to volunteer on trails (any trails, any where) for at least eight hours between June 1st, 2023 - February 10th, 2024. Our goal is to have runners give back directly to the trails that they love and train on. Volunteering at a trail race will not meet this requirement. We must have received your trail work form by February 17th 2024. Click on the link below to download the form.
Alternatively, if you cannot complete the trail work in time, you have the option to donate to a group or organization who focuses on trail restoration, building, or conservation. We have set the minimum donation at $50 and you need to submit proof of the donation to volunteer@rainshadowrunning.com
| Trail Work Form |
Race Weekend Timeline
Thursday February 22nd
Thursday February 22nd
- 4:00-7:00 pm: Bib pick-up/Drop Bag Drop Off at Camp Moran(Start/Finish)
- 5:45 pm MANDATORY pre-race briefing at Camp Moran(Start/Finish)
- 7:00 pm: Drop bags for Mountain Lake due at Camp Moran(Start/Finish) the rest can be dropped off in the morning.
- 7:00-7:50 am: Runner check-in
- 8:00 am: 100 Mile Race Starts!
- 11:00 am: Cut off at Camp Moran Aid Station, mile 75
- 12:45 pm: Cut off at Mountain Aid Station, mile 80
- 4:00 pm: Cut off at Cascade Lake Aid Station, mile 90
- 6:15 pm: Cut off at Constitution, mile 95
- 8:00 pm: Cut off at Finish**
**Even though the cut off is technically at 8:00PM any runner who makes it out of the last aid station by the cutoff there and then completes the course will get an official finish even if they arrive after 8pm.
- 10:00 am: Theater opens for coffee/snacks/socializing before awards ceremony begins
- 10:30 am-12:30 pm: Post Race Awards Ceremony- Seaview Theater (Eastsound) with snacks and coffee--we recommend eating breakfast beforehand
Course
25 Mile Loop Elevtion Profile (mileage on profile is not exact)
DOWNLOAD GPS FILE
| 2023 Orcas Island 100m Race Map |
Aid Stations & Drop Bags
FOUR full aid stations each 25-mile loop:
Mountain Aid Station
All aid stations will be fully stocked with water, assorted gels, Gnarly electrolyte drink, chips, fresh fruit, chocolate, pb & j sandwiches, soda, hot water, and hot soup/broth. Each aid station will also have their own special food (quesadillas, bacon, perogies, sushi rolls, etc). Our aid station volunteers are very experienced and we promise to take good care of you and keep you well fueled while you are running. However, if there is anything specific you want at the aid stations, you should leave them in your drop bag.
FOUR full aid stations each 25-mile loop:
Mountain Aid Station
- Miles: 5, 30, 55, 80
- Drop Bags OK
- Miles: 15, 40, 65, 90
- Drop Bags OK
- Miles: 20, 45, 70, 95
- Drop Bags OK
- Miles: 25, 50, 75
- Drop Bags OK
All aid stations will be fully stocked with water, assorted gels, Gnarly electrolyte drink, chips, fresh fruit, chocolate, pb & j sandwiches, soda, hot water, and hot soup/broth. Each aid station will also have their own special food (quesadillas, bacon, perogies, sushi rolls, etc). Our aid station volunteers are very experienced and we promise to take good care of you and keep you well fueled while you are running. However, if there is anything specific you want at the aid stations, you should leave them in your drop bag.
Cut-offs
In order to keep our race on schedule and within the time limits of our permits, we have cut off times at the aid stations. If you are not leaving the aid station by the cut off time, you will be given a ride back to the finish area.
Although these are public trails, you are participating on them as a registered participant of our event and by signing up for the race, you agree to follow our rules and conditions for completing (or not completing) the race. Our sweeps will be leaving right at cut off time, taking down course markings with them. If you refuse to leave the course after cut off and end up getting lost or injured, requiring search and rescue, our permitting agency could look at that as negligence on our end (allowing runners on the course with no course markings or after the time we agreed to stop people). We take this rule seriously and as it puts our permits in jeopardy, if any runner violates this rule, they may be subject to a ban from future races.
In order to keep our race on schedule and within the time limits of our permits, we have cut off times at the aid stations. If you are not leaving the aid station by the cut off time, you will be given a ride back to the finish area.
- 11:00 am: Camp Moran, mile 75
- 12:45 pm: Mountain, mile 80
- 4:00 pm: Cascade, mile 90
- 6:15 pm: Constitution, mile 95
Although these are public trails, you are participating on them as a registered participant of our event and by signing up for the race, you agree to follow our rules and conditions for completing (or not completing) the race. Our sweeps will be leaving right at cut off time, taking down course markings with them. If you refuse to leave the course after cut off and end up getting lost or injured, requiring search and rescue, our permitting agency could look at that as negligence on our end (allowing runners on the course with no course markings or after the time we agreed to stop people). We take this rule seriously and as it puts our permits in jeopardy, if any runner violates this rule, they may be subject to a ban from future races.
Driving Directions
To get to the start/finish area at Camp Moran at Moran State Park, these directions should help. Everyone needs to display a Discover Pass on their dash to park anywhere in Moran State Park. If you do not have one, you can buy an annual pass for $35 or a day pass for $11.50 via this link: https://store.discoverpass.wa.gov/ The rangers will be writing tickets for any vehicles not showing a Discover Pass.
No overnight parking or camping at the start/finish area(see below for camping options).
To get to the start/finish area at Camp Moran at Moran State Park, these directions should help. Everyone needs to display a Discover Pass on their dash to park anywhere in Moran State Park. If you do not have one, you can buy an annual pass for $35 or a day pass for $11.50 via this link: https://store.discoverpass.wa.gov/ The rangers will be writing tickets for any vehicles not showing a Discover Pass.
No overnight parking or camping at the start/finish area(see below for camping options).
Crew Access
Parking is very limited at each of the aid station locations, so in an effort to ease congestion, crew access is prohibited on the runner's first loop except at Cascade Aid Station at mile 15 and at Camp Moran Aid Station at mile 25. Remember to display your Discover Pass when parking anywhere in the park!
Parking is very limited at each of the aid station locations, so in an effort to ease congestion, crew access is prohibited on the runner's first loop except at Cascade Aid Station at mile 15 and at Camp Moran Aid Station at mile 25. Remember to display your Discover Pass when parking anywhere in the park!
- Mountain Aid Station: Yes, except on lap one
- Cascade Aid Station: Yes
- Constitution Aid Station: Yes, except lap one, depending on road conditions*
- Camp Moran Aid Station(start/finish): Yes
Volunteers
Volunteering for a 100 miler is a special thing. You're there for a long time just like the runners. You are exposed to the elements just like the runners. And with Orcas being a loop race you really get to know the runners. It's a shared experience. And you really matter. You can really help a runner make it to the finish and make their dreams come true. It's a cool thing.
We have several volunteer jobs available at the Orcas 100! Volunteers earn all kinds of perks; they get to eat and drink for free, are eligible for raffle prizes from our sponsors, receive a free volunteer t-shirt, and earn credit towards a future Rainshadow race! Volunteers for Orcas Island can also bypass the lottery for the following year for either the 50K or 25K. Volunteer shifts range from a couple hours to all day at an aid station so we can guarantee something for everyone!
If you are interested in volunteering for the race, please email us.
Volunteering for a 100 miler is a special thing. You're there for a long time just like the runners. You are exposed to the elements just like the runners. And with Orcas being a loop race you really get to know the runners. It's a shared experience. And you really matter. You can really help a runner make it to the finish and make their dreams come true. It's a cool thing.
We have several volunteer jobs available at the Orcas 100! Volunteers earn all kinds of perks; they get to eat and drink for free, are eligible for raffle prizes from our sponsors, receive a free volunteer t-shirt, and earn credit towards a future Rainshadow race! Volunteers for Orcas Island can also bypass the lottery for the following year for either the 50K or 25K. Volunteer shifts range from a couple hours to all day at an aid station so we can guarantee something for everyone!
If you are interested in volunteering for the race, please email us.
Tower Club
At the top of Mt Constitution, there is a 53 foot stone tower that offers panoramic views of the Salish Sea during the day and a dazzling display of the stars at night. Runners have the option to climb the stairs to the top of the tower on EACH loop and be a part of the Tower Club! When you check in to the Moran aid station, a volunteer will make a mark on your bib and when you reach the top of the tower, there will be a paper punch for you to punch a hole in the mark. You will do this on each loop.
Every runner who climbs the tower on all 4 loop will receive a special award at the awards ceremony!
At the top of Mt Constitution, there is a 53 foot stone tower that offers panoramic views of the Salish Sea during the day and a dazzling display of the stars at night. Runners have the option to climb the stairs to the top of the tower on EACH loop and be a part of the Tower Club! When you check in to the Moran aid station, a volunteer will make a mark on your bib and when you reach the top of the tower, there will be a paper punch for you to punch a hole in the mark. You will do this on each loop.
Every runner who climbs the tower on all 4 loop will receive a special award at the awards ceremony!
Awards Ceremony
We highly recommend staying for the awards ceremony! We put together a slide show, thank all of the volunteers, and recognize each and every runner on stage. The awards ceremony will be Sunday, February 6th at the SeaView Theater in Eastsound. Doors will open at 10:00 am (free coffee/snacks, beer/wine for sale) and the ceremony will start at 10:30 am.
Each runner will be presented their belt buckle, finisher hoodie, and the Tower Club award (if applicable). There will be raffle prizes and lots of camaraderie! We will also bring all of the leftover drop bags to the theater Sunday morning for runners to pick up.
We highly recommend staying for the awards ceremony! We put together a slide show, thank all of the volunteers, and recognize each and every runner on stage. The awards ceremony will be Sunday, February 6th at the SeaView Theater in Eastsound. Doors will open at 10:00 am (free coffee/snacks, beer/wine for sale) and the ceremony will start at 10:30 am.
Each runner will be presented their belt buckle, finisher hoodie, and the Tower Club award (if applicable). There will be raffle prizes and lots of camaraderie! We will also bring all of the leftover drop bags to the theater Sunday morning for runners to pick up.
Lodging & Camping
Camp Moran Bunkhouses
Camp Moran Lodging Now Available: make a reservation for one of the cabins or bed in the bunkhouses at the race start/finish area Camp Moran.
Lodging
The closest hotel is the Rosario Resort, located just about 3 miles from the race start. There are other lodging choices available in Eastsound and various other places around the island including Doe Bay Resort. Check out the Chamber of Commerce website, Airbnb and VRBO for more options.
Camping
There is camping in Moran State Park, in the Fall and winter it's usually limited to Midway and/or South End Campground which are about a mile mile or half-mile from the start/finish area, respectively. Reservations can't be made in advance, it's first come/first serve at this time of year.
No camping/overnight parking at the start/finish parking lot area.
Camp Moran Bunkhouses
Camp Moran Lodging Now Available: make a reservation for one of the cabins or bed in the bunkhouses at the race start/finish area Camp Moran.
Lodging
The closest hotel is the Rosario Resort, located just about 3 miles from the race start. There are other lodging choices available in Eastsound and various other places around the island including Doe Bay Resort. Check out the Chamber of Commerce website, Airbnb and VRBO for more options.
Camping
There is camping in Moran State Park, in the Fall and winter it's usually limited to Midway and/or South End Campground which are about a mile mile or half-mile from the start/finish area, respectively. Reservations can't be made in advance, it's first come/first serve at this time of year.
No camping/overnight parking at the start/finish parking lot area.
Orcas is an Island... you'll need a ferry reservation
For those who are unfamiliar with Orcas. It's an island. You gotta take a ferry to get there. You gotta make reservations for the ferry. It's a small island. It's winter time. Not everything will be open. But it's cute as hell. And it's where Rainshadow began way back in 2006. We've got history. But we are guests. And it's not a normal place. And that's a good thing.
If you've tried to make an advance ferry reservation and saw that it was sold out, you have two more chances to make a reservation:
2 weeks before each sailing date at 7:00 a.m. PST:
For those who are unfamiliar with Orcas. It's an island. You gotta take a ferry to get there. You gotta make reservations for the ferry. It's a small island. It's winter time. Not everything will be open. But it's cute as hell. And it's where Rainshadow began way back in 2006. We've got history. But we are guests. And it's not a normal place. And that's a good thing.
If you've tried to make an advance ferry reservation and saw that it was sold out, you have two more chances to make a reservation:
2 weeks before each sailing date at 7:00 a.m. PST:
- Additional 30% of standard vehicle space is released
- Final 30% of standard vehicle space is released
Past results, photos and videos
2023 Results*
*2023 was not a normal year. Due to a severe wind storm the start of the race was delayed to 8pm instead 8am and the cutoff was extended to 8am Sunday. To accommodate the schedule change we changed the course layout to (2) 25 mile loops and (6)8+mile loops. It was a harder course and due to the schedule change many runners suffered from sleep depravation.
2023 Photos by Matt Cecill
2023 Official Race Video by Matt Cecill
2023 Video of part of the course by race volunteer Wes Plate
2023 Results*
*2023 was not a normal year. Due to a severe wind storm the start of the race was delayed to 8pm instead 8am and the cutoff was extended to 8am Sunday. To accommodate the schedule change we changed the course layout to (2) 25 mile loops and (6)8+mile loops. It was a harder course and due to the schedule change many runners suffered from sleep depravation.
2023 Photos by Matt Cecill
2023 Official Race Video by Matt Cecill
2023 Video of part of the course by race volunteer Wes Plate
Cancellations
By attending one of our races you agree to accept the terms of and abide by our cancellation policies, our COVID precautions, our race rules. our anti-discrimination policies and any other logistics or arrangements you that must adhere to. If you would like to get more information about any of this or discuss things further please email us at info@rainshadowrunning.com
If You Need to/Choose to Cancel Your Registration...
Please fill out this form before race day to let us know you will not be participating in the race. After you fill out the form we'll email you to give you a coupon code for a credit that you can use for one of our future races. NO REFUNDS and NO BIB TRANSFERS.
The amount of credit is based on when you submit this form to cancel your registration:
The coupon code can be used for any Rainshadow race.
The coupon code will be good for two years from the date we email you your coupon code.
If you were in one of our "lottery" races you will be automatically selected if you register for that lottery again the following year.
We are no longer allowing runners to transfer or sell their bib/race entry to another runner. If in the future we can create a simpler system to do this we will bring this option back.
By registering for one of our races you agreed to accept the terms of and abide by our cancellation policy, our COVID precautions, our race rules and any other logistics or arrangements you that must adhere to. If you would like to get more information about any of this or discuss things further please email us at info@rainshadowrunning.com
If Rainshadow Cancels a Race...
If we have to cancel an event for any reason (COVID, wildfire, acts of nature, etc.) we understand the disappointment to the participants. But it's something that does happen from time to time so you should be prepared for that possibility.
We will do our best to notify runners as soon as we can but sometimes it may be a last minute situation.
All runners will be sent an email as soon as possible with information about the cancellation and any other pertinent info including what their options are and the deadline for letting us know their decision. If the reason for cancelling the race is something out of our control like something weather or COVID related we will likely offer runners a 50% credit towards a future race as the we see it both the runners and Rainshadow share the risk of a cancelled race equally.
We understand how much money, energy, and time goes into training for an ultramarathon, so if we can make adjustments to our race plans instead of cancelling, that is our priority, but at the end of the day, the safety of our runners, volunteers, staff, and the general public will be the main factor in our decision to cancel.
By attending one of our races you agree to accept the terms of and abide by our cancellation policies, our COVID precautions, our race rules. our anti-discrimination policies and any other logistics or arrangements you that must adhere to. If you would like to get more information about any of this or discuss things further please email us at info@rainshadowrunning.com
If You Need to/Choose to Cancel Your Registration...
Please fill out this form before race day to let us know you will not be participating in the race. After you fill out the form we'll email you to give you a coupon code for a credit that you can use for one of our future races. NO REFUNDS and NO BIB TRANSFERS.
The amount of credit is based on when you submit this form to cancel your registration:
- 31 days or more before race day: 50% of your race entry fee + 100% of merchandise or anything else extra you ordered.
- 30 days to 7days before race day: 50% of your race entry fee + 50% of merchandise or anything else extra you ordered.
- Less than 7 days before race day or after race day: 0% of your race entry fee + 0% of merchandise or anything else extra you ordered.
The coupon code can be used for any Rainshadow race.
The coupon code will be good for two years from the date we email you your coupon code.
If you were in one of our "lottery" races you will be automatically selected if you register for that lottery again the following year.
We are no longer allowing runners to transfer or sell their bib/race entry to another runner. If in the future we can create a simpler system to do this we will bring this option back.
By registering for one of our races you agreed to accept the terms of and abide by our cancellation policy, our COVID precautions, our race rules and any other logistics or arrangements you that must adhere to. If you would like to get more information about any of this or discuss things further please email us at info@rainshadowrunning.com
If Rainshadow Cancels a Race...
If we have to cancel an event for any reason (COVID, wildfire, acts of nature, etc.) we understand the disappointment to the participants. But it's something that does happen from time to time so you should be prepared for that possibility.
We will do our best to notify runners as soon as we can but sometimes it may be a last minute situation.
All runners will be sent an email as soon as possible with information about the cancellation and any other pertinent info including what their options are and the deadline for letting us know their decision. If the reason for cancelling the race is something out of our control like something weather or COVID related we will likely offer runners a 50% credit towards a future race as the we see it both the runners and Rainshadow share the risk of a cancelled race equally.
We understand how much money, energy, and time goes into training for an ultramarathon, so if we can make adjustments to our race plans instead of cancelling, that is our priority, but at the end of the day, the safety of our runners, volunteers, staff, and the general public will be the main factor in our decision to cancel.
Questions?
Questions? The race directors for this race and all Rainshadow Running races is James Varner and Katy Farrell.
Email us at info@rainshadowrunning.com
Questions? The race directors for this race and all Rainshadow Running races is James Varner and Katy Farrell.
Email us at info@rainshadowrunning.com
Orcas Island 100 from Project Talaria on Vimeo.