Are you ready to run?
Take a look at our NEW Downtown Yakima Mile Run – And More Running Events Throughout the Valley!
Run, jog or walk the newest race in the city, the Downtown Yakima Mile on June 8! The Virginia Mason Memorial Downtown Yakima Mile is a one-mile race along the beautiful 14-block, gradual downhill stretch of Yakima Avenue to downtown. This race is for runners of all ages and abilities who “want to run their fastest mile … EVER!” Drones and LED video screens allow participants and spectators to experience the event at every level. Recognized as one of the top U.S. road-mile events for 2019, it has been included on the Bring Back the Mile Grand Prix Tour. The prize purse for the six Tour events is $125,000, plus an additional $10,000 for Grand Prix athletes. Locally, the race will award more than $25,000 in prizes and will attract top-level competitors from throughout the West Coast. Get the whole family out for this inaugural event!
Did you know there are several other organized running events in the Yakima Valley under our sunny skies from spring through fall? Take a look at the 2019 round-up. (At the current time, some of the events have not confirmed their 2019 dates.)
March:
- Yakima River Canyon Marathon March 30 This Annual USATF certified event is held along the beautiful Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway. Packet pickup is Friday, March 29, followed by a pasta feed with a special tribute to the Boston Marathon. The race starts March 30 at 8 am. The half marathon starts at 9:30 am. Shuttle buses take runners to and from the course. The awards ceremony will be held at the Selah Civic Center at 4 pm, followed by a baked potato feed with prize drawings.
April
- Run For Your Life 5K April 13 at 8 am. Medical students from PNWU will host the 9th Annual Run for Your Life 5K and health fair. Start and finish will be at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU). Proceeds will go to Pegasus Project, a therapeutic horseback riding program for individuals with special needs. Pre-register online or register the day of at 7 am at PNWU’s Butler-Haney Hall. The run is sponsored by Sundown M Ranch.
May
- 4th Annual Rattlesnake Hills Wine Run May 8. Enjoy the rolling hills of the Yakima Valley’s beautiful wine country and stop along the way to taste at several wineries on the course. You’ll have the option of running a 5K, 10K or half marathon. The after party includes food trucks, shopping, live music and more wine! Participants receive a wine run souvenir glass, customized finisher medal and swag bag.
- Sage Rat Run Mid-May. This community-oriented fun run in Eastern Washington is a fast, flat, point-to-point half marathon, 5K and kid’s one-mile fun run! The half marathon is along a paved path from Sunnyside through Grandview, finishing in Prosser. The 5K and 1-mile races are held entirely in Prosser, starting and finishing at the Prosser Chamber of Commerce.
June
- Junior Gap to Gap June 1. This is a relay race for youth ages seven to 14, with four different age categories (ages 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14). Kids run, bike, kayak, and complete an obstacle course and steeple chase. Register solo or as a team with two to five participants per team.
- Gap to Gap Adult June 2. The adult course includes a four-mile run, 22-mile road bike course, eight-mile off-road bike course, three-mile water race, and three-mile trail run. Don’t miss the Rock the Gap event the evening of June 1! Enjoy a 21-and-over social hour with local wine, brews, cider and moonshine, gourmet dinner, dessert auction and silent auction, followed by live music.
- Downtown Yakima Mile. June 8 from 5:30 to 8 pm. The Virginia Mason Memorial Downtown Yakima Mile benefits the Yakima School District. The race is free for runners younger than 18, while adults are asked to pay a $25 registration fee. The race takes place as 11 heats of one-mile races back to back and is appropriate for those of all abilities – from elite athletes to tiny tots. More than $25,000 in prizes will be awarded to athletes, attracting top-level competitors from all over the West Coast.
- 2019 Valley of the Sun Triathlon June 30. Starting at Lake Aspen, the swim and transition areas are in the shaded business park. The paved path of Yakima Greenway allows for a quick, fast, out-and-back course. Choose either the sprint (750-meter swim, 12-mile bike race and 5K run) or Olympic distance (1.5K swim, 41K bike race and 10K run) as an individual or as a two- to three-person relay team. All Olympic competitors start at 7:30 am. Sprint competitors begin at 8:00 am. Following the conclusion of each race, enjoy music, light refreshments for athletes and the awards ceremony.
July
- Dye Hard 5K Nighttime Color Run July 13. Have fun with friends and family and enjoy being showered with fluorescent colored powder in the dark, under the glow of black lights at Yakima’s 2nd annual nighttime 5K fun run! Celebrate with a post-event party including music, dancing and even more powder provided by Gesa Credit Union.
- Grey Rock Trail Runs July 13. Enjoy scenic summer trail runs in the Cascade Mountains of Central Washington near Yakima, WA. This out-and-back, single-track trail is tough and rugged with more than 6,000 feet in elevation gain for the 50K. Shorter 12K and 25K options are available, following the same route, with all starting at Tree Phones Campground in the Ahtanum State Forest. Enjoy the views of Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams, open ridges and forested stretches, and rocky and smooth forest trails.
September
- Mimosa Dash 4K. Date TBD. This 21-and-over event is held at the beautiful Apple Tree Golf Course. You can choose to run or walk the untimed course, but display clocks will be at the start and finish line to check your time.
- Selah Base Race Half Marathon and 5K. Mid-September. Adults run or walk around Carlon Park and kids enjoy a free fun run. The race distances are half marathon (13.1 miles) and 5K (3.1 miles). The half marathon starts at 9 am, the 5K starts at 9:30 am and free kids’ run begins at 10:00 am. This is a scenic course winding into the Yakima Training Center. Enjoy the Autumn Festival afterward, with live music, food vendors and a beer garden.
October
- Naches Run, Walk, Bike & Brew Early October. This timed 5K stroll, walk, bike or run along a paved pedestrian/cycling path takes place in the beautiful town of Naches. Come celebrate the kick-off of Bron Yr Aur Brewing’s BRONtoberFEST and help raise funds for local nonprofits. The race starts and ends at Depot Park on the Naches path, which eventually turns into the Yakima Greenway. There will be live music, a beer garden and food vendors.
- Airfield Estates Vineyard Run October 12. Don’t miss this annual 5K Vineyard Run for the whole family! Runners, walkers, children and well-behaved dogs are welcome at this great run at Airfield Estates Vineyard, 2571 Harrison Road, Sunnyside, WA. Prizes are awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place participants for the following divisions: Men, Women, Youth and Dogs. This run supports the Canine Health Foundation.
- Dog Lake Marathon & Half. October 12. The backdrop of beautiful Cascade Mountains and lakes make this USATF-certified race truly unique. Races start at 9 am along Highway 12, east of the White Pass Ski Area. Look for “Dog Lake Marathon” signs marking the start location. The course loops around Clear Lake and half marathoners finish at Silver Beach Resort. Marathoners continue along Rimrock Lake toward Trout Lodge. Most of the race is on asphalt but miles 10 to 12 on the east side of Clear Lake are on gravel or dirt forest road.
- Sun City 5K & Half Marathon Mid-October. Taking place at YAC Fitness, with USATF-certified distances, this race offers both walk and run start times. Special awards will be given for first overall male and female winners in the half marathon and 5K races. Top places in each of 18 age groups, from 1-99 years old, receive an award.
- Warrior Women 5K mid-October. This women (and girls) only Franklin Park run, walk or jog racing event is for all Warrior Women who survived and fought through every battle that came their way and still stand strong. This is a ton of fun with food trucks, shopping vendors, beer garden and much more. Each participant receives a custom finisher medal and swag bag.
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