The third annual Olympia Traverse will hit the trails, roads and waterways of Thurston County on July 14. The race is a multi-sport adventure relay for solo, tandem and teams, all celebrating the life cycle of wild salmon.
The course covers about 38 miles from Capitol State Forest to Port Plaza on Budd Inlet in downtown Olympia. The winners in last year’s race covered the entire distance in a little more than three hours.
Sticking with the salmon theme, individuals compete in the Chinook Division, while tandem teams are in the Coho Division and multi-person teams are in the Chum Division.
To extend their support for salmon to the real world, race organizers will donate part of the proceeds to the South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group. They also are providing free team spots to the People for Puget Sound, Friends of Capitol Forest and the enhancement group, allowing them to use the event as a fundraiser.
Start/finish: The race gets under way at noon at Mima Falls Trailhead parking area in Captiol State Forest. All vehicles will need to have a Discover Pass displayed while at Mima Falls Trailhead. Available as a day pass ($10) or for a year ($30). The race will end at Port Plaza in Olympia. The awards ceremony will be held at 5 p.m.
Registration: Closes on July 13. Cost is $85 for singles, $135 for tandems and $195 for teams.
Information: go to olympiatraverse.com.
The course
Here is a breakdown of the course:
Mountain bike: 7.4 miles in Capitol State Forest out of Mima Falls Trailhead
Road bike ride: 22 miles from Capitol Forest, through Evergreen State College campus to West Bay Park in downtown Olympia.
Paddle: 3.5 miles from West Bay Park around Budd Inlet to Swantown Marina
Run: 4.5 miles from Swantown out to Priest Point Park and back.
Trek: 0.5 miles from the Children’s Museum with the rest of your team to Port Plaza.
