yakima skyline 25k
APRIL 13 2025 ellensburg, wa
Overview
The Yakima Skyline 25K takes place outside of Ellensburg, WA in and above the scenic Yakima River Canyon on lands that were part of the ancestral home of the Yakama people and associated tribes and bands. On the eastern and sunny side of the Cascade mountains, this out and back course is located in a beautiful high desert, rainshadow region of the area. The race is exposed to the elements and is often hot and dry! And with nearly 5,000 feet of elevation gain, it is a tough 25K! Expect stunning views of the canyon and of the Yakima river below as well as views of Tahoma (Mt Rainier), Pahto (Mt Adams) and the Cascades off in the distance. There are quad burning climbs, screaming downhills, and rolling ridgelines along fields of wildflowers. You will finish along the Yakima River in a canyon of lush springtime foliage and you will be met with a one-of-a-kind finish line party and free on-site primitive camping!
The Yakima Skyline 25K takes place outside of Ellensburg, WA in and above the scenic Yakima River Canyon on lands that were part of the ancestral home of the Yakama people and associated tribes and bands. On the eastern and sunny side of the Cascade mountains, this out and back course is located in a beautiful high desert, rainshadow region of the area. The race is exposed to the elements and is often hot and dry! And with nearly 5,000 feet of elevation gain, it is a tough 25K! Expect stunning views of the canyon and of the Yakima river below as well as views of Tahoma (Mt Rainier), Pahto (Mt Adams) and the Cascades off in the distance. There are quad burning climbs, screaming downhills, and rolling ridgelines along fields of wildflowers. You will finish along the Yakima River in a canyon of lush springtime foliage and you will be met with a one-of-a-kind finish line party and free on-site primitive camping!
- Distance: 25K
- Elevation Gain: 4,700ft
- Elevation Loss: 4,700ft
- Aid Stations: 1 full aid station, 1 minimal aid station
- Cutoff Time: 8 hours
- Well behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. But this can be a hard race for dogs due to the heat, lack of water on course and rocks.
- Price: $135
Timeline
Sunday April 13th - Race Day
Sunday April 13th - Race Day
- 7:30 am: Bib pick-up*
- 9:00am: Race Start
- 1:00pm Cutoff at Roza Creek, mile 8
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
- Keeping everyone as spread out as possible by either keeping races small and or using "wave starts"
- Reducing contact of surfaces and increased cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces.
- Having volunteers use gloves and masks whenever preparing or handling food and drinks.
Driving Directions
The race starts and finishes on private, riverfront property just south of the Umtanum Creek Recreation Area trailhead, about 15 miles south of Ellensburg and 20 miles north of Yakima, Washington. The entrance to the start/finish area is about 1000 feet south of the Umtanum entrance that entrance will be used only by a select few as the new property owners have drastically limited the number of cars on the property. Instead most folks will park at the gravel overflow parking lot for the Umtanum Creek Recreation Area and will walk a short ways to the start/finish. There will be event parking signs on either side of Canyon River Road to help direct you to the parking area. DO NOT PARK IN THE MAIN UMTANUM REC DAY-USE AREA--the paved parking lot. We need to leave the main parking area recreation area open for other day users.
Click here for driving directions
The race starts and finishes on private, riverfront property just south of the Umtanum Creek Recreation Area trailhead, about 15 miles south of Ellensburg and 20 miles north of Yakima, Washington. The entrance to the start/finish area is about 1000 feet south of the Umtanum entrance that entrance will be used only by a select few as the new property owners have drastically limited the number of cars on the property. Instead most folks will park at the gravel overflow parking lot for the Umtanum Creek Recreation Area and will walk a short ways to the start/finish. There will be event parking signs on either side of Canyon River Road to help direct you to the parking area. DO NOT PARK IN THE MAIN UMTANUM REC DAY-USE AREA--the paved parking lot. We need to leave the main parking area recreation area open for other day users.
Click here for driving directions
Camping/Lodging
The start and finish line of the race is on private land so we can offer free tent and small RVs with good clearance (max 25 feet) camping/parking to race participants on Friday and Saturday nights. There will be portable toilets set up, but there is no water. We will have water on race morning and post race, but campers will need to bring their own water and food for the remainder of the weekend. Folks with medium and large sized RVs should plan to camp at one of the various nearby campgrounds as we do not have unlimited space for RVs and the road is a bit narrow and can be rough in places. There is no power or hook ups.
There are a handful of campgrounds on Yakima River Road that are all within 15 minutes from the start/finish:
Umtanum (closest to the race but also the smallest with just 5 sites)
Big Pines
Lluma
Roza
Each campground is first come/first served. Click here for more information.
The closest option for lodging is Canyon River Ranch located just 1.5 miles south of the race start/finish area. It's a small but fancy lodge and sells out quickly. Additional lodging is available both in Ellensburg, WA and Yakima, WA which are approximately 20-25 minutes from the start/finish area.
The start and finish line of the race is on private land so we can offer free tent and small RVs with good clearance (max 25 feet) camping/parking to race participants on Friday and Saturday nights. There will be portable toilets set up, but there is no water. We will have water on race morning and post race, but campers will need to bring their own water and food for the remainder of the weekend. Folks with medium and large sized RVs should plan to camp at one of the various nearby campgrounds as we do not have unlimited space for RVs and the road is a bit narrow and can be rough in places. There is no power or hook ups.
There are a handful of campgrounds on Yakima River Road that are all within 15 minutes from the start/finish:
Umtanum (closest to the race but also the smallest with just 5 sites)
Big Pines
Lluma
Roza
Each campground is first come/first served. Click here for more information.
The closest option for lodging is Canyon River Ranch located just 1.5 miles south of the race start/finish area. It's a small but fancy lodge and sells out quickly. Additional lodging is available both in Ellensburg, WA and Yakima, WA which are approximately 20-25 minutes from the start/finish area.
Course Details
- The course will be well marked with yellow and black arrow signs at each junction and pink & black checkered confidence ribbons every 1/2 mile or so.
- The course is an "out and back" style route so you'll head south on the Yakima Skyline Rim Trail to the halfway point in your run (the Roza Aid Station) and then turn around and go back to the finish following the same route you just ran but in reverse.
- The course is mostly single track trails, sometimes smooth trail but just as often they're rocky, really rocky and rough. There's also a few miles on a ridge top rocky jeep road.
- There is no shade and it's often one of the hottest days of the year. It can also be cold and super windy.
- This is high desert, sagebrush, rattlesnake country. We generally have the race a week or two before the snakes really start coming out but most years at least one runner report seeing one so watch where you step and make sure you're listening for the distinctive rattle! They don't want to bite you but if you step on them you really aren't giving them much choice.
- It's a tough, slow course due to the steep, technical trails. The climbs go on forever and the downhills don't seem to be any easier.
- But it's a super scenic course especially when the flowers are in full bloom and the skies are clear.
- The course starts out in the river valley at about 1300ft above sea level and is pretty flat for the first 1km or so and then after crossing the river bridge you begin the first of two major climbs. In just over 2 mile you climb 2100+ feet to the top of the ridge. The next two miles or so are rolling on a rough jeep road. At about about mile 6 you'll come to the water-only station and here you leave the jeep road and plummet down a narrow, rough trail to the river valley losing 1400ft over less than 2 miles to get to the Roza Aid Station where you'll turn around and go right back up the steep trail you just came down. At the top of the last climb, which seems to go on and on and on we'll have a minimal aid station at about mile 13. This minimal aid station will be where you turn right off the jeep road and drop down off the ridge on the steep trail you came up at the start of the race, we call the upper part of this section "the elevator shaft" for good reason. Then you cross the bridge and make your way back to the start/finish.
| Yakima Skyline 25K Route GPS File |
Aid Stations
Roza Aid Station: Mile 8.0
Minimal Aid Station: Mile 12.5
Roza aid station will be stocked with water, Nuun electrolyte drink, 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 and menstrual hygiene products for issues that arise on the course.
The Minimal Aid Station will have water, soda, Gnarly electrolyte drink, Gu energy gels, chips and assorted candy. There will also be first aid supplies and menstrual hygiene products for issues that arise on the course.
Our volunteers are tracking all runners at each station, so please wear your bib number visibly on the front of your body.
Roza Aid Station: Mile 8.0
Minimal Aid Station: Mile 12.5
Roza aid station will be stocked with water, Nuun electrolyte drink, 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 and menstrual hygiene products for issues that arise on the course.
The Minimal Aid Station will have water, soda, Gnarly electrolyte drink, Gu energy gels, chips and assorted candy. There will also be first aid supplies and menstrual hygiene products for issues that arise on the course.
Our volunteers are tracking all runners at each station, so please wear your bib number visibly on the front of your body.
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 by staff or volunteers.
Roza Aid Station Cut-off Time: 1:00pm
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 by staff or volunteers.
Roza Aid Station Cut-off Time: 1:00pm
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.
Water Requirement for ALL RUNNERS (even the fast ones)
This is a serious rule as this race can be sneaky dangerous when it gets hot and runners of all abilities have gotten severely dehydrated here before and this is an extremely dry and remote race course.
All runners are required to have the ability to carry AT LEAST 32 ounces of water in hand bottles or a hydration pack at all times during the race. Many runners will want to be able to carry more than 32 ounces. You will be required to show us your bottles or hydration pack at bib pickup. This course is often hot, dry, windy and very exposed to the sun all things that can lead to dehydration. You don't need to have 32 ounces of water on your person at all times but we highly recommend starting with AT LEAST that much and then refill at each station.
This rule is for your safety and we appreciate everyone's cooperation. Runners found not meeting this requirement will be disqualified.
This is a serious rule as this race can be sneaky dangerous when it gets hot and runners of all abilities have gotten severely dehydrated here before and this is an extremely dry and remote race course.
All runners are required to have the ability to carry AT LEAST 32 ounces of water in hand bottles or a hydration pack at all times during the race. Many runners will want to be able to carry more than 32 ounces. You will be required to show us your bottles or hydration pack at bib pickup. This course is often hot, dry, windy and very exposed to the sun all things that can lead to dehydration. You don't need to have 32 ounces of water on your person at all times but we highly recommend starting with AT LEAST that much and then refill at each station.
This rule is for your safety and we appreciate everyone's cooperation. Runners found not meeting this requirement will be disqualified.
No Drop Bags. No Crew Access.
Due to the extremely remote nature of this course we can not provide runners with drop bag service at this race. The only road access to the race course is via a very long and very rough jeep road. It actually takes longer to drive to the water only station than it will take you run there and the Roza Aid Station is only accessible by boat and a hike up from the river.
For the same reasons listed above you can not be crewed by friends and or family at this race.
Due to the extremely remote nature of this course we can not provide runners with drop bag service at this race. The only road access to the race course is via a very long and very rough jeep road. It actually takes longer to drive to the water only station than it will take you run there and the Roza Aid Station is only accessible by boat and a hike up from the river.
For the same reasons listed above you can not be crewed by friends and or family at this race.
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. If you are new to volunteering, check out the job descriptions page to find the volunteer gig that is perfect for you!
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! 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!
If you are interested in volunteering for the race, please email us.
Race Shirts
Race registration does not include a t-shirt, but runners have the option to purchase one during the registration process.
Race registration does not include a t-shirt, but runners have the option to purchase one during the registration process.
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 [email protected]
If You Need to/Choose to Cancel Your Registration...
Please fill out this form before event day to let us know you will not be participating.
NEW! We now are offering folks two options when they cancel their event registration 31 days or more in advance:
Option 1, you can rollover 100% of your race entry and other add-on charges (merch, meal tickets for guests, etc.) to the same event the following year. You cannot be rolled over to a different event.
OR
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're canceling 30 days or less in advance of the event a credit is your only option. See below for the credit percentages.
After you fill out the form we'll email you to confirm you've been rolled over to the next year's event or to give you a coupon code for a credit that you can use for one of our future events. We try to email you your code within a week of when you submit this form.
NO REFUNDS and NO BIB TRANSFERS TO OTHER PEOPLE
If you choose the credit option the amount of credit is based on when you submit this form to cancel your registration:
31 days or more before event day: 50% of your entry fee + 100% of merchandise or anything else extra you ordered.
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: 0% of your entry fee + 0% of merchandise or anything else extra you ordered.
The coupon code can be used for any Rainshadow event.
The coupon code will be good for two years from the date we email you your coupon code.
If you choose the rollover option you can rollover your entry no more than two years in a row and it can only be rolled over to the same event.
If you were in one of our "lottery" events you will be automatically selected if you register for that lottery again the following year.
We are no longer allowing folks to transfer or sell their bib/entry to another person. 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 events 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 must adhere to. If you would like to get more information about any of this or discuss things further please email us at [email protected]
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 canceling 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 we see it both the runners and Rainshadow share the risk of a canceled 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 canceling, 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 [email protected]
If You Need to/Choose to Cancel Your Registration...
Please fill out this form before event day to let us know you will not be participating.
NEW! We now are offering folks two options when they cancel their event registration 31 days or more in advance:
Option 1, you can rollover 100% of your race entry and other add-on charges (merch, meal tickets for guests, etc.) to the same event the following year. You cannot be rolled over to a different event.
OR
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're canceling 30 days or less in advance of the event a credit is your only option. See below for the credit percentages.
After you fill out the form we'll email you to confirm you've been rolled over to the next year's event or to give you a coupon code for a credit that you can use for one of our future events. We try to email you your code within a week of when you submit this form.
NO REFUNDS and NO BIB TRANSFERS TO OTHER PEOPLE
If you choose the credit option the amount of credit is based on when you submit this form to cancel your registration:
31 days or more before event day: 50% of your entry fee + 100% of merchandise or anything else extra you ordered.
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: 0% of your entry fee + 0% of merchandise or anything else extra you ordered.
The coupon code can be used for any Rainshadow event.
The coupon code will be good for two years from the date we email you your coupon code.
If you choose the rollover option you can rollover your entry no more than two years in a row and it can only be rolled over to the same event.
If you were in one of our "lottery" events you will be automatically selected if you register for that lottery again the following year.
We are no longer allowing folks to transfer or sell their bib/entry to another person. 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 events 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 must adhere to. If you would like to get more information about any of this or discuss things further please email us at [email protected]
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 canceling 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 we see it both the runners and Rainshadow share the risk of a canceled 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 canceling, 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.
Somer generously makes her photos available for free but she does ask that you give her credit Somer Kreisman or @somerrunner
Past Photos/Results
2022 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:
2022 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:
Contact Us
The race directors for this and all Rainshadow Running Club races are James Varner and Katy Farrell. Email us at [email protected]
The race directors for this and all Rainshadow Running Club races are James Varner and Katy Farrell. Email us at [email protected]