sun mountain 50M/20M/50K/25K
WINTHROP, WA
50M: saturday may 13th 2023
NEW! 20M: SATURDAY MAY 13TH 2023
50K: Saturday May 20th 2023
25K: Sunday May 21st 2023
50M & 20M: Register Now
50K: REGISTER NOW
25k: REGISTER NOW
Course Overview
Located on the eastern, and sunny side of the North Cascades - on the edge of the Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness, above the Methow River Valley - these courses offer great mountain trail running early in the year. You can expect fields of wildflowers, beautiful, snow-capped peaks of the Cascades in the distance, and mostly gradual, smooth, runnable trails.
Located on the eastern, and sunny side of the North Cascades - on the edge of the Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness, above the Methow River Valley - these courses offer great mountain trail running early in the year. You can expect fields of wildflowers, beautiful, snow-capped peaks of the Cascades in the distance, and mostly gradual, smooth, runnable trails.
Registration
Registration is open now for the 50 miler and 20 miler. For the 50K and 25K we hold a lottery. Registration for the lottery will be open until 11:59pm on Wednesday December 14th. The lottery drawing will take place on Thursday December 15th and everyone will be notified as to whether or not they were selected by the end of the day on the 15th. The winners of the lottery will be given a link to complete the race registration process. Winners will have until the end of the day on January 5th to complete their registration. After January 5th the winners who have not finished the registration process will be subject to forfeiting their ability to register for the race and their spots may be opened up to the general public.
50M Entry fee: $190 Register Now
New! 20M Entry fee: $120 Register Now
50K Entry fee: $140 Register Now
25K Entry fee: $110 Register Now
Registration is open now for the 50 miler and 20 miler. For the 50K and 25K we hold a lottery. Registration for the lottery will be open until 11:59pm on Wednesday December 14th. The lottery drawing will take place on Thursday December 15th and everyone will be notified as to whether or not they were selected by the end of the day on the 15th. The winners of the lottery will be given a link to complete the race registration process. Winners will have until the end of the day on January 5th to complete their registration. After January 5th the winners who have not finished the registration process will be subject to forfeiting their ability to register for the race and their spots may be opened up to the general public.
50M Entry fee: $190 Register Now
New! 20M Entry fee: $120 Register Now
50K Entry fee: $140 Register Now
25K Entry fee: $110 Register Now
Entrants
Coming soon...
Coming soon...
Timeline
Saturday May 13th - 50M & 20M
Saturday May 20th - 50K
Sunday May 21st - 25K
Saturday May 13th - 50M & 20M
- 4:30 am: 50M Bib pick-up starts
- 5:30am: 50M race start
- 5:45am: 20M Bib pick-up starts
- 7:00am: 20M race start
Saturday May 20th - 50K
- 6:30 am: Bib pick-up starts
- 8:00AM: 50K race start
Sunday May 21st - 25K
- 6:30 am: Bib pick-up starts
- 7:30 am: Kids race start
- 8:00am: 25K race start
Course Details
The courses will be very well marked. We use pink and yellow ribbons and yellow and black arrow signs. Ignore all other ribbon colors other than pink AND yellow together. The course SHOULD be very well marked but S*@# does sometimes happen so just in case something happens to the markings we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the route, carry a paper map and or have the GPS route in your watch or phone. Every intersection SHOULD be clearly marked but you also need to be paying attention to make sure you don't miss a turn. And between intersections we normally do a "confidence" ribbon every half mile or so. You shouldn't ever go more than a mile with out seeing a ribbon and or arrow sign and quite often you'll see them more often than once a half mile. And we mark tricky turns and confusing areas with extra signs and ribbons. It's rare that people take a wrong turn/get off course but it does happen, if that happens to you turn around and re-trace your steps until you see signs and ribbons then continue on course from there.
Specific Course Details Coming Soon
The courses will be very well marked. We use pink and yellow ribbons and yellow and black arrow signs. Ignore all other ribbon colors other than pink AND yellow together. The course SHOULD be very well marked but S*@# does sometimes happen so just in case something happens to the markings we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the route, carry a paper map and or have the GPS route in your watch or phone. Every intersection SHOULD be clearly marked but you also need to be paying attention to make sure you don't miss a turn. And between intersections we normally do a "confidence" ribbon every half mile or so. You shouldn't ever go more than a mile with out seeing a ribbon and or arrow sign and quite often you'll see them more often than once a half mile. And we mark tricky turns and confusing areas with extra signs and ribbons. It's rare that people take a wrong turn/get off course but it does happen, if that happens to you turn around and re-trace your steps until you see signs and ribbons then continue on course from there.
Specific Course Details Coming Soon
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50 Mile -- Saturday May 13
Elevation Gain: ~9600ft Elevation Loss: ~9600ft Number of Aid Stations: ~5 Cutoff Time: 15+ hours |
20 Mile -- Saturday May 13
Elevation Gain: ~3600ft Elevation Loss: ~3600ft Number of Aid Stations: 2 Cutoff Time: 8+ hours |
50K -- Saturday May 20
Elevation Gain: ~5600ft Elevation Loss: ~5600ft Number of Aid Stations: ~3 Cutoff Time: 9+ hours |
25K -- Sunday May 21
Elevation Gain: ~3000ft Elevation Loss: ~3000ft Number of Aid Stations: 1 or 2 Cutoff Time: 6+ hours |
Aid Stations
The foods and drinks we typically will have at the aid stations is water, Gnarly electrolyte drink, Coke, ginger ale, Sprite, Gu energy gels, fruit (bananas, grapes and watermelon), cookies (Oreos), candy (fun size candy bars, gummy bears, M&Ms etc), PB&J sandwiches, and potato chips.
There will also be first aid supplies and period products for issues that arise on the course.
Our volunteers are tracking all runners at the aid stations, so please wear your bib visibly on the front of your body.
The foods and drinks we typically will have at the aid stations is water, Gnarly electrolyte drink, Coke, ginger ale, Sprite, Gu energy gels, fruit (bananas, grapes and watermelon), cookies (Oreos), candy (fun size candy bars, gummy bears, M&Ms etc), PB&J sandwiches, and potato chips.
There will also be first aid supplies and period products for issues that arise on the course.
Our volunteers are tracking all runners at the aid stations, so please wear your bib visibly on the front of your body.
Crew Access
Sadly all of these race routes are not crew friendly as there is just not very much parking at/near the aid station or really anywhere on the course other than the start/finish. We will try to provide at least some access for your friends and family to the course but for this race it might be best for your friends and family to do other stuff while you run and then just come see ya at the finish line. More details soon.
Sadly all of these race routes are not crew friendly as there is just not very much parking at/near the aid station or really anywhere on the course other than the start/finish. We will try to provide at least some access for your friends and family to the course but for this race it might be best for your friends and family to do other stuff while you run and then just come see ya at the finish line. More details soon.
Drop Bags
Runners can usually have drop bags at all or most of our aid stations. More details soon.
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 tarps set up at check-in, one for each aid station location, along with duct tape and sharpies. Runners are allowed one bag per location and should be labeled with: name, bib number, and aid station name. Our volunteers will be transporting the bags to to the aid station and back to the finish once they close for the day.
Runners can also leave a drop bag at the finish area for when they are done. Plan to bring the bag during morning check in and there will be a designated tarp/tent to leave it during the race.
Runners can usually have drop bags at all or most of our aid stations. More details soon.
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 tarps set up at check-in, one for each aid station location, along with duct tape and sharpies. Runners are allowed one bag per location and should be labeled with: name, bib number, and aid station name. Our volunteers will be transporting the bags to to the aid station and back to the finish once they close for the day.
Runners can also leave a drop bag at the finish area for when they are done. Plan to bring the bag during morning check in and there will be a designated tarp/tent to leave it during the race.
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 while preparing or handling food and drinks.
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! The Sun Mountain 50K and 25K are lottery races, but volunteers for any of the distances (including the 50 mile) can bypass the Sun Mountain lotteries. Volunteer shifts range from just a couple hours in the morning to an all day aid station or something at the finish area. If you are new to volunteering, check out the job descriptions page to find the volunteer gig that is perfect for you! We promise you will have fun!
If you are interested in volunteering for the race, please email us.
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! The Sun Mountain 50K and 25K are lottery races, but volunteers for any of the distances (including the 50 mile) can bypass the Sun Mountain lotteries. Volunteer shifts range from just a couple hours in the morning to an all day aid station or something at the finish area. If you are new to volunteering, check out the job descriptions page to find the volunteer gig that is perfect for you! We promise you will have fun!
If you are interested in volunteering for the race, please email us.
Dogs are NOW Allowed at Sun Mountain! YAY!
UPDATE FROM SUN MOUNTAIN LODGE:
At Sun Mountain Lodge we are delighted to have you and your pet as our guests at the Patterson Lake Cabins. To ensure a comfortable stay for yourself and fellow guests, we would appreciate it if you would please observe the following guidelines:
UPDATE FROM SUN MOUNTAIN LODGE:
At Sun Mountain Lodge we are delighted to have you and your pet as our guests at the Patterson Lake Cabins. To ensure a comfortable stay for yourself and fellow guests, we would appreciate it if you would please observe the following guidelines:
- Sun Mountain Lodge is prepared to accommodate your dog in the Patterson Lake Cabin you booked (cabins 612 + 613 are not pet friendly), provided your dog is less than 75 pounds and fully trained, appropriately restrained by you, and that your dog complies with the local legislation requirements.
- We charge a “fido fee” of $75/night. We will also authorize (not charge) an additional $250 at the time of check in to cover pet damage to your cabin or the
hotel’s property. - The following dogs are excluded from our approved pet list: Pit Bulls and Rottweilers
- Your dog must be kept on a leash at ALL times, unless it is in your room.
- Please do not leave your dog unattended in your cabin unless they are contained in a crate. Should you require a pet-sitter or other pet services, please contact the front desk with advanced notice.
- Crates are also available to rent for a one-time fee of $25, should you not have your own.
- Please do not leave your dog unattended in your vehicle in extreme cold or hot weather
- We regret that pets are not allowed in any other parts of the resort. This exclusion does not apply to guide or service dogs.
- You are responsible for cleaning up after your dog on the hotel’s property. Dog pick up stations have been installed on either side of the lawn by the Patterson Lake Cabins.
- Any disturbances, such as barking, must be curtailed to ensure other guests are not inconvenienced.
- Please contact the Housekeeping Department to arrange for a convenient time for servicing your room as no attempt may be made to enter if there is a dog in the room unless the owner is present.
- Dogs on Trails – Your dog must be kept on a leash at ALL times and is only allowed on our dog approved trails (see pet friendly trail map).
Featured Lodging
The 2023 Sun Mountain races will be back to starting and finishing at Sun Mountain Lodge's Patterson Lake Cabins. For reservations at either the Patterson Lake Cabins or for rooms in the lodge (which is just a couple miles further up the road on top of Sun Mountain), click one of the buttons below. Rooms/Cabins are very limited so book as soon as you can! The prices listed on these links are already adjusted with our group discount.
The 2023 Sun Mountain races will be back to starting and finishing at Sun Mountain Lodge's Patterson Lake Cabins. For reservations at either the Patterson Lake Cabins or for rooms in the lodge (which is just a couple miles further up the road on top of Sun Mountain), click one of the buttons below. Rooms/Cabins are very limited so book as soon as you can! The prices listed on these links are already adjusted with our group discount.
Other lodging we recommend
The Chewuch Inn, Hotel Rio Vista and the River Run Inn. The North Cascades Mountain Hostel is owned and operated by good friends of ours and offers affordable rooms and cabins in the heart of Winthrop. For more hotel options in the area click here. And check with Methow Reservations and AirBNB for numerous house rental options.
Camping
Big Twin Lakes Campground is the closest campground to the start/finish area. Pearrygin Lake State Park, Pine Near RV and Campground, Winthrop KOA, and Riverbend RV and Campground are other options close by.
There are also quite a few U.S. Forest Service campgrounds in the area too, here's a list of closest ones to the race area: Early Winters, Klipchuck, and Lone Fir on HWY 20 west of Mazama; Ballard and River Bend on Lost River Rd/Harts Pass Rd west of Mazama; numerous campgrounds north of Winthrop, Buck Lake, Flat, Nice, Falls Creek, Chewuch; and up Twisp River Rd, west of Twisp, War Creek, Mystery, Poplar Creek and South Creek.
Free/Dispersed Camping
No camping or sleeping in your vehicle at the race parking lot or at the start/finish or at the Chickadee Trailhead. If you are looking for free or dispersed camping, your best options are either Thompson Pass Rd or Forest Service Rd 500 off of Thompson Pass Rd or Elbow Coulee Road, which are all just a few miles from the start/finish area. Lots of other options up the Chewuch and Twisp Rivers on Forest Service land.
Other lodging we recommend
The Chewuch Inn, Hotel Rio Vista and the River Run Inn. The North Cascades Mountain Hostel is owned and operated by good friends of ours and offers affordable rooms and cabins in the heart of Winthrop. For more hotel options in the area click here. And check with Methow Reservations and AirBNB for numerous house rental options.
Camping
Big Twin Lakes Campground is the closest campground to the start/finish area. Pearrygin Lake State Park, Pine Near RV and Campground, Winthrop KOA, and Riverbend RV and Campground are other options close by.
There are also quite a few U.S. Forest Service campgrounds in the area too, here's a list of closest ones to the race area: Early Winters, Klipchuck, and Lone Fir on HWY 20 west of Mazama; Ballard and River Bend on Lost River Rd/Harts Pass Rd west of Mazama; numerous campgrounds north of Winthrop, Buck Lake, Flat, Nice, Falls Creek, Chewuch; and up Twisp River Rd, west of Twisp, War Creek, Mystery, Poplar Creek and South Creek.
Free/Dispersed Camping
No camping or sleeping in your vehicle at the race parking lot or at the start/finish or at the Chickadee Trailhead. If you are looking for free or dispersed camping, your best options are either Thompson Pass Rd or Forest Service Rd 500 off of Thompson Pass Rd or Elbow Coulee Road, which are all just a few miles from the start/finish area. Lots of other options up the Chewuch and Twisp Rivers on Forest Service land.
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Featured Artist
Our race artwork and the Rainshadow Running logo were designed by Baylie Peplow of Red Umbrella Designs. Baylie grew up in the Methow Valley and you can visit her new shop in Downtown Winthrop (235 Riverside Ave aka "main street" between Six Knot Cider Taphouse and Winthrop Gallery). And she's offering 10% off if you say you're with Rainshadow Running. Stop by and check out all the fun and cute stuff! Here's just a few of the many examples...
Our race artwork and the Rainshadow Running logo were designed by Baylie Peplow of Red Umbrella Designs. Baylie grew up in the Methow Valley and you can visit her new shop in Downtown Winthrop (235 Riverside Ave aka "main street" between Six Knot Cider Taphouse and Winthrop Gallery). And she's offering 10% off if you say you're with Rainshadow Running. Stop by and check out all the fun and cute stuff! Here's just a few of the many examples...
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Photos, Videos, Past Results & Race Reports
2022 50M RESULTS
2022 50M PHOTOS
CHARLENE WALDNER'S 2022 50M REPORT
2022 50K RESULTS
2022 50K PHOTOS
2022 25K RESULTS
2022 30K RESULTS
2022 25K/30K PHOTOS
Past race results for the 50M, 50k. Past results for the 25K To check out photos, media, and race reports from previous years, please choose the appropriate option below: We would love to feature your race report on our website. If you have one to share, please email it to info@rainshadowrunning.com!
2022 50M RESULTS
2022 50M PHOTOS
CHARLENE WALDNER'S 2022 50M REPORT
2022 50K RESULTS
2022 50K PHOTOS
2022 25K RESULTS
2022 30K RESULTS
2022 25K/30K PHOTOS
Past race results for the 50M, 50k. Past results for the 25K To check out photos, media, and race reports from previous years, please choose the appropriate option below: We would love to feature your race report on our website. If you have one to share, please email it to info@rainshadowrunning.com!
Conatct Us
Questions? Comments? The race directors for all Rainshadow Running races is James Varner and Kathryn "Katy" Farrell.
Please contact us at info@rainshadowrunning.com
Questions? Comments? The race directors for all Rainshadow Running races is James Varner and Kathryn "Katy" Farrell.
Please contact us at info@rainshadowrunning.com