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Palouse to Cascades Marathon+ Relay

Date
June 20, 2026
Distance
Palouse to Cascades Marathon+ Relay Team of Four · Palouse to Cascades Marathon+ Relay Team of Two · Palouse to Cascades Marathon+ SOLO RUNNER
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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

  • Run along the historic Milwaukee Road railroad corridor
  • Experience stunning views of Kittitas County and Central Washington
  • Cross iconic trestles and travel through scenic trail sections
  • Choose from relay team or solo challenge options
  • Perfect for runners seeking a unique trail running experience
  • Enjoy the camaraderie and excitement of a relay race format

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

Palouse to Cascades Marathon+ Relay Team of Four7 AMRegister →
Palouse to Cascades Marathon+ Relay Team of Two7 AMRegister →
Palouse to Cascades Marathon+ SOLO RUNNER7 AMRegister →

Weather

Typical Conditions

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.

Sunrise 5:08 AMSunset 9:01 PMDaylight 15h 54m

Host City

About Ellensburg, WA

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

What Are You
Waiting For?

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

Race
Palouse to Cascades Marathon+ Relay
Date
June 20, 2026

From Endurance Grid

About This Sport

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.

Read the Guide

Running

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)

What is the Palouse to Cascades Marathon+ Relay?
Palouse to Cascades Marathon+ Relay is a running race held in Ellensburg, Washington on June 20, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
When and where is the Palouse to Cascades Marathon+ Relay?
Saturday, June 20, 2026 in Ellensburg, Washington at 484 Stevens Road, Ellensburg, WA. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
How do I register for the Palouse to Cascades Marathon+ Relay?
Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.

Palouse to Cascades Marathon+ Relay

Jun 20, 2026

Register →