
From the Organizer
Experience One of Washington's Most Unique Trail Relay Races
Gather your team and embark on an unforgettable adventure through the heart of Central Washington. The Palouse to Cascades Marathon+ Relay takes runners along the historic Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail, offering a one-of-a-kind relay race experience through scenic landscapes, charming small towns, railroad trestles, tunnels, and breathtaking backcountry terrain.
Whether you're competing with a team of friends, family members, or coworkers—or challenging yourself as a solo runner—this event combines endurance, teamwork, and outdoor adventure in one incredible day.
Why You'll Love This Race
As highlighted in the Financial Times article "The Rise of the Relay Marathon," relay races combine some of today's fastest-growing fitness trends: trail running, endurance challenges, team competition, and outdoor adventure. This is your opportunity to experience it firsthand in one of Washington State's most beautiful running destinations.
Relay & Solo Race Options
Four-Person Relay Teams
Form a team of four runners and divide the course into manageable relay segments. Male, female, and co-ed teams are welcome.
Two-Person Relay Teams
Take on a greater challenge by splitting the course between two runners. Male, female, and co-ed divisions are available.
Solo Challenge
Ready to test your limits? Register as a solo participant and complete the entire course yourself.
Relay leg distances will be announced soon.
Course & Exchange Locations
The relay follows portions of the scenic Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail through Kittitas County.
Start Line - Renslow Trestle
Exchange #1 - Kittitas Trailhead
Exchange #2 - Kiwanis Park – Ellensburg
Exchange #3 & Finish Line - Thorpe Trailhead
A Washington State Discovery Pass is required for participants and spectators accessing applicable trail locations.
Race Day Technology:
RaceJoy GPS Tracking
Stay connected throughout the event with the free RaceJoy app. RaceJoy provides real-time GPS participant tracking, allowing teammates, family members, and spectators to follow runners throughout the course.
Features Include:
Live GPS Tracking
Track participants based on their actual phone location—not estimated race times.
Progress Notifications
Receive automatic updates as runners reach milestones throughout the course.
Audio Cheers & Messages
Friends and family can send personalized encouragement directly to participants during the race.
Meet-Up Feature
Coordinate exchanges and support locations more efficiently with real-time runner tracking.
Download the RaceJoy App before race day to maximize your experience.
Event Rules & Safety Information
Participant safety and responsible trail use are top priorities.
Zero Tolerance Policy
The use of alcohol or illegal drugs on the course is strictly prohibited. Teams violating this policy will be immediately disqualified and prohibited from future events.
Vehicle Restrictions
Support vehicles may not exceed:
80 inches in width
20 feet in length
Motorhomes, buses, and limousines are not permitted.
Feel free to decorate your support vehicle and show team spirit. We simply ask that all decorations remain family-friendly and respectful.
Trail Crossings
The course crosses two major highways. Participants must obey all Washington State traffic laws, course signage, and volunteer instructions at all times.
No Dogs or Bicycles
Dogs and bicycles are not permitted on the course during the event.
Sustainability Commitment
The Palouse to Cascades Marathon+ Relay proudly supports environmentally responsible racing practices. As part of the All Things Fun Sports commitment to sustainable events, this race embraces paperless communications and waste-reduction initiatives designed to help protect the beautiful Washington landscapes we enjoy.
Ready for the Adventure?
Whether you're assembling a relay team, seeking a new trail running challenge, or looking for a memorable race experience in Washington State, the Palouse to Cascades Marathon+ Relay delivers breathtaking scenery, team camaraderie, and an unforgettable finish-line celebration.
Register today and discover why relay racing is one of the fastest-growing trends in endurance sports.
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
76°
Typical Low
49°
Chance of Rain
17%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Ellensburg, 2 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
18,913
as of 2023
Elevation
1,606 ft
Nearest Airport
YKM
Yakima Air Terminal McAllister Field · 30 mi
Major Hub
SEA
Seattle–Tacoma International Airport · 90 mi
Time Zone
Pacific Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Palouse to Cascades Marathon+ Relay, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
12
Days to train
Coming Up
Wilridge Wine Run 5k
28 miles away
Clear Lake Memorial Runs
28 miles away
Dye Hard 5K
28 miles away
Ellensburg Morning Rotary FireCracker 5k Run
Less than a mile away
From Endurance Grid
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The half marathon is the distance where you find out what you're actually made of. Long enough to demand real preparation. Short enough that it doesn't consume your life to train for it. Most people who run their first half describe it as the race that changed their relationship with what they're capable of. Once you cross this finish line, the bar moves. That's not a warning — that's the point.
Race day energy varies by event size, but the finish line feeling is the same regardless. Big races keep the noise going the whole way. Smaller races give you stretches where it's just you and the miles — and that solitude becomes its own kind of fuel.
The half marathon rewards people who show up for the boring training miles.
How long to train: 10–14 weeks. If you're already running consistently, 10 weeks of structured buildup is enough. If you're building from a casual base, give yourself 14.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Palouse to Cascades Marathon+ Relay
Jun 20, 2026