Head to the hills this Saturday for the Cougar Mountain trail running series

7th-annual competition starts May 16, features four races between 5 and 13 miles

Racing begins May 16 with a five-mile run along a portion of Cougar Mountain’s 36-mile trail system. Runs of seven, 10 and 13 miles are scheduled for the following three months in what is one of the most-popular trail running events in the Pacific Northwest.

Volunteer work groups from the trail-running community spend more than 100 hours each year doing trail restoration work, including improving trail surface conditions and erosion control, plus cleaning up illegal dumpsites.

“The work that race volunteers do every year help to make our trails system better for all visitors to Cougar Mountain,” said King County Parks Division Director Kevin Brown. “Our partnership with the Seattle Running Company is a great example of a successful partnership between King County Parks and the business community.”

In addition to the volunteer labor, a portion of the trail race registration fees are donated to King County Parks. Registration fees for the 2008 race series raised more than $13,000 for King County Parks.

RACES

Race 1 (5 miles): Saturday, May 16 – 9 a.m.

Race 2 (7 miles): Saturday, June 13 – 9 a.m.

Race 3 (10 miles): Saturday, July 11 – 9 a.m.

Race 4 (13 miles): Saturday, Aug. 8 – 8:30 a.m.

WHERE
Registration and start will be at the Sky Country trailhead off 166th Way Southeast.

DIRECTIONS
From I-90 eastbound, take the Lakemont Boulevard Southeast exit (Exit 13). Turn right (south) on Lakemont Boulevard Southeast and drive for approximately two miles. Turn left onto Southeast Cougar Mountain Way. Continue 0.6 miles before turning right onto 166th Way Southeast. Follow this road through the gate and look for the parking lot on the right.

From I-405, take the Coal Creek Parkway exit (Exit 10) and follow Coal Creek Parkway east for 2.4 miles to the shopping center. Turn left at the light onto Southeast 72nd Place. At the stop sign, turn left onto Newcastle Road, which turns into Lakemont Boulevard Southeast. Continue on Lakemont past the Red Town trailhead to Southeast Cougar Mountain Way. Turn right and drive 0.6 miles before turning onto 166th Way Southeast. Follow this road through the gate and look for the parking lot on the right.

REGISTRATION
To pre-register for any or all races, print and fill the 2009 Vasque Cougar Mountain Trail Running series entry form, at http://www.seattlerunningcompany.com/Events/Cougar/cougarmtn1.html and mail to: Scott McCoubrey, VCMTRS Race Director, Seattle Running Company, 911 E. Pine St., Seattle WA, 98122. Entry forms are also available at the store.
 
The cost is $30 each for the five- and seven-mile races, and $40 for the 10- and 13-mile races, or $110 for all four races. Seattle Running Club members receive a $5 discount. $15 of each entry fee will benefit King County Parks and Recreation. The 2008 race series raised more than $10,000 for King County Parks.

King County Parks - Your Big Backyard - offers more than 25,000 acres of parks and natural lands, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 175 miles of regional trails, plus pools and a world-class aquatic center. By cultivating strong relationships with non-profit, corporate and community partners, King County Parks enhances park amenities while reducing costs. Learn more at http://www.kingcounty.gov/parks/.

Related information

Regional Trail System

Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park

King County Parks - Your Big Backyard