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MILLERSYLVANIA TRAIL RACES
50K -- 25K -- 10K -- 5K -- 12HR
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​Saturday August 30th 2025 
Millersylvania State Park, Olympia, WA
Register Now
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Race Overview

​The course for 2025 will be a pleasant 5K loop through old growth forest and by various waterways that folks will do 1, 2, 5 or 10 times for the 5K, 10K, 25K or 50K. The 12 hour solo folks will do as many loops as they want during the 12 hours. Each loop only has about 100 feet of elevation gain! The loop is a mixture of wide trail, single track trail and a little bit of gravel park roads. These races are perfect for beginners, families and folks looking to run a very fast time or walk the whole way.

The start/finish, on the eastern shore of Deep Lake, is just a short walk from the campground and those who want to make this a camping weekend can easily do so and just walk to/from the start/finish area. Campsites are very limited head now to the Washington State Parks Reservations Page to get yours before they're gone.
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This race was created to be a fundraiser for Interfaith Works Emergency Overnight Shelter which provides critical support for the folks of Olympia and Thurston County facing homelessness. A portion of the proceeds from each race entry goes directly to the shelter and runners also have the option to make an extra donation during registration (all of which will go directly to the shelter).
Race: 50 km
Elevation gain: 1000
Aid Stations: 9

Cutoff Time: 12 hours
Price: $125
Race: 25 km
Elevation gain: 500 ft
Aid Stations: 4
Cutoff Time: 12 hours​
Price: $95
Race: 10 km
Elevation gain: 200 ft
Aid Stations: 1
Cutoff Time: 12 hours​ 
Price: $65​
Race: 5K
Elevation gain: 100ft
Aid Stations: 0
Cutoff Time: 12 hours
Price: $30
Race: 12 Hour
Elevation gain: 100ft per 5K loop
Aid Stations: 1 per 5K loop
Cutoff Time: 12 hours
Price: $155

Fundraiser

This race was created to be a fundraiser for Interfaith Works Emergency Overnight Shelter which provides critical support for the folks of Olympia and Thurston County facing homelessness.  A portion of the proceeds from each race entry goes directly to the shelter and runners also have the option to make an extra donation during registration (all of which will go directly to the shelter).

Want to do more? Clean out your closets and bring any clean, unwanted shoes, jackets, clothing, sleeping bags, blankets, socks, gloves, and hats to be donated to the shelter.  You can also check out their website for a wish list of the items most needed for the shelter. What seems like a little thing to us can mean a big difference to someone in need.  Click here to visit their donation page to view the wish list or to donate directly to the shelter. 

Registration: 

When you register you'll be able to add on various extras such as a race shirt or hoodie, an additional donation to Interfaith Works Homeless Services and pay an extra $20 per person for food and drinks for friends and family.

No Race Day Registration: Registration closes at 11:59pm on May 27th. 


Race Fees:
50K: $125
25K: $95
10K: $65
5K: $35
12HR Solo: $155

Race Entry Fee Includes: a fun event with a well marked, scenic course, aid stations (except the 5K), chip timed results available on the spot, post race party with food and drinks including pizza, beer and other food and drinks, and portion of your entry fee will be donated to Interfaith Works Homeless Services. 

Camping: There are a limited number of campsites available and tent to sell out quickly. Click here to reserve your campsite

Food/Drinks for Friends and Family: Over the years at Rainshadow races we've made the post race food and drinks (pizza, other food, beer, soft drinks, etc.) free for everyone. And we'll continue to do that for runners who are running that day and volunteers who are helping that weekend. But for your friends and family that are coming to support you at the race we ask that you pay $20/per person if they want to get food and drinks. You can add that to your registration fee or folks can pay day of at the race. 
Register Now!

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Examples of the 2024 race merch above
Race Shirts

Race registration does not include a t-shirt, but runners have the option to purchase a soft, good quality, cotton tee or hoodie printed with the race logo when they register. Deadline to order merch by is August 1st at 10am. 

Race Photos

Race registration does not include free photos. But folks will have the chance to purchase professional photos. We'll send out a link to the photo gallery after the race. 

Timeline

Friday Aug 1st: Deadline for Ordering a T-shirt or Hoodie
  • We have to place the order for the shirts and hoodies in advance so please register before the end of the day on Aug 1st if you want to order a shirt or a hoodie.
  • A limited number might be available for purchase on race day if we have leftovers

Friday Aug 29th: Last day to register​
  • No Day of Race Registration
  • Registration closes at Noon

Saturday Aug 30th:  50K, 25K, 10K, 5K 12HR
  • 6:30am: Bib pick up/Runner Check in begins
  • 8:00am: Race Start for all races
  • 7:30pm: 50K & 25K runners need to start their last lap by 7:30pm.  As long as you start your last lap by 7:30pm you'll still get an official finish if you finish after 8pm.
  • 8:00pm: Finish Line Cut-off for 12hr Solo. 12hr folks will want to start their last lap well before 8pm as you'll only get credit for full laps completed by 8pm.

Course Info

The course will be well marked with arrow signs at each junction and pink/black checkered confidence ribbon. You should not go more than half a mile without seeing a ribbon or sign.  The trails are open to the public so please be respectful of other trail users and slow down/yield to hikers and families.  We want to set a good example for our trail running community.  
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Course Overview
This course is fun, scenic and pretty flat so it is perfect for beginners or those looking to set a PR(personal record). The course for 2024 will be a pleasant 5K loop through old growth forest and by various waterways that folks will do 1, 2, 5 or 10 times for the 5K, 10K, 25K or 50K. The 12 hour solo folks will do as many loops as they want during the 12 hours. We don't think it's unreasonable for a really fast 12hr runner, to get 100 miles! 

Each loop only has about 100 feet of elevation gain. The loop is a mixture of wide trail, single track trail, a short wooden boardwalk and a little bit of gravel park roads. The terrain is mostly smooth and is usually dry at this time of year but there is the occasional root and there could be a few isolated mud puddles.  ​
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The start/finish will not be at the retreat center this year. Instead we'll be back to our normal location at Kitchen #2 on the eastern shore of Deep Lake. The start/finish is just a short walk from the campground and those who want to make this a camping weekend can easily do so and just walk to/from the start/finish area. Again perfect for familes and groups!
2024 Millersylvania 5K Loop GPS File
File Size: 8 kb
File Type: gpx
Download File

2024 Millersylvania 5K Loop Map.png
File Size: 561 kb
File Type: png
Download File

^ Download the .gpx file above and load it into your favorite GPS app or watch.
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Aid Station

The aid station will be stocked with water, Gnarly electrolyte drink, Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, fresh fruit, chips, pickles, and assorted cookies or candy. We will have a variety of gels, but we do ask that you only use those to supplement what you are providing for yourself.  There will also be first aid supplies, sunscreen, bug spray, and menstrual products for issues that arise on the course. 

To reduce waste this race is "cup less" meaning we avoid using disposable cups whenever possible and to do so we ask that you bring your own cup/bottle/hydration pack. You can buy a reusable cup from us when you register for the race & pick up the cup at runner check-in on race day.

Drop Bags

Runners can have drop bags at the aid station.

For those not familiar with drop bags, it's a way for you to have certain items at specific aid stations.  If you like to have a certain kind of nutrition or specific brand of electrolyte, you can put those in your bag and restock at the aid station instead of carrying it the whole way.  Some people leave extra layers of clothing, gloves or hats, or dry socks in their bags.  Runners are responsible for providing their own bag. 

There will be a tarp set up at check-in, where you'll place your bag. We'll have duct tape and sharpies if you want to label your bag.  

Crew Access

This is a very easy race to crew at as there's just one location for crew (at the start/finish/aid station) and the runners come through that location every 5K. Crew are welcome to go cheer for the runners at any other part of the course they're just not allowed to give material support. 

Chip Timing

​Please wear your bib number on the front of your body and make sure it's always visible even when you change layers. Don't bend the chip and try to not put your hands in front of the bib while running over the timing mats at the starting line and at the finish line.

Results will be available at 
chronokeep.com

Cut-offs

7:30pm: 50K & 25K runners need to start their last lap by 7:30pm.  As long as you start your last lap by 7:30pm you'll still get an official finish if you finish after 8pm.

8:00pm: Finish Line Cut-off for 12hr. 12hr folks will want to start their last lap well before 8pm as you'll only get credit for full laps completed by 8pm.

In order to keep our race on schedule and within the time limits of our permits, we have a cut off times for each of the races.  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.  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. 

Parking & Driving Directions
​
The race takes place at Millersylvania State Park, just south of Olympia, Washington.

Millersylvania State Park is at 12245 Tilley Rd SW, Olympia, WA 98512 and is about a 20 minute drive from downtown Olympia.


From the main entrance to the park on Tilley Rd SW you’ll go about ¼ mile and come to the entrance booth, continue past the entrance booth another 1/10 of a mile and you’ll go left to go past the campground and almost immediately you’ll turn left to enter the race parking lot. The start/finish/aid station are at the far end of this parking lot. 

Here’s a link to a Google Maps map for driving directions to the race start/finish/aid station area  We will have event parking signs for you to follow once you enter the park. 

Parking is limited, please carpool and park as close to the other cars as possible. 

Volunteers

We always need volunteers on race day and it is a great way to be a part of the event if you are not running.  Volunteers earn all kinds of perks; they get to eat and drink for free, are eligible for raffle prizes from our sponsors, and earn credit towards a future Rainshadow race! Volunteer shifts range from just a couple hours in the morning to an all day aid station or something at the finish area.  We promise you will have fun! 

If you are interested in volunteering for the race, please click here​

2024 Race Results
2024 Race Photos
2023 Race Results 10K-30K-50K-12HR-12HR Relay
2023 Race Photos
2023 5K Results
Photos/Reports/Race Results

2023 Results will be available at chronokeep.com
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50K Results      30K Results      10K Results

2022 Photos

All of the past race results can be found on UltraSignup. To check out photos, media, and race reports from previous years, please choose the appropriate option below: 
  • Race Photos
  • Race Reports
  • Race Videos
  • Other Media
We would love to feature your race report on our website.  If you have one to share, please email it to [email protected]! ​

​​​​Cancellations
​
Please fill out this form before event day to let us know you will not be participating. We do not issue refunds, but depending on when you fill out the form you may be eligible for a rollover or credit. The amount of credit is based on when your cancellation form was submitted (see below). The credit can be used for any Rainshadow event and will be good for two years from the date we email you your coupon code.  

If you cancel 31 days or more in advance, you have two options:

Option 1, you can rollover 100% of your entry fee to the same event the following year, including any other add-on charges you selected (merch, meal tickets for guests, etc.). You cannot be rolled over to a different event, only to the same event the following year, and you may only use the rollover option one time per registration. If you select a rollover and that event is not happening the following year, your option will default to a 50% credit that you can apply towards any of our events.

Option 2, receive a 50% credit that you can use for any of our events  + 100% of merchandise or anything else extra you may have ordered.

If you cancel less than 31 days before the event, rollovers are no longer an option, but you may be eligible for a credit based on when you cancel:

30 days to 7 days before event day: 50% of your entry fee + 50% of merchandise or anything else extra you ordered.

Less than 7 days before event day or after the event: No credits will be issued. This includes entry fees, merchandise and anything else you ordered. ​

No Bib transfers: 
We do not allow folks to transfer or sell their bib or registration to another person. Any participants who give away their bib, or run under a different name, are subject to being permanently banned from our events.

Merch pick-up:
If you ordered merchandise for your event, you must pick it up at check in on the day of the event. All merchandise items not picked up are subject to being sold or given away. We do not hold onto your merch or ship it to you, you must be present at event check in to pick it up unless you have made prior arrangements with us.

Rollovers:
Please note that it is never a guarantee that we will be able to hold these events the following year. If you select a rollover and that event is not happening the following year, your option will default to a 50% credit that you can apply towards any of our events. You cannot rollover your registration to a different event.


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. 
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Questions?

Questions? The race directors for this race and all Rainshadow Running races are James Varner and Katy Farrell.
​Email us at [email protected]

© 2024 Rainshadow Running - All rights reserved.