Just in time for its 50th anniversary, Tacoma’s premier 12K run is back to in-person

In time for the 50th anniversary race, Sound to Narrows is back to competition in-person after two years of virtual racing.

Sound to Narrows will be taking place Saturday in Tacoma and welcomes new participants as well as veteran runners.

The annual race started in 1973 when sports writer for The News Tribune Dick Kunkle thought it was time for a run to be brought to Tacoma. Kunkle modeled Sound to Narrows from a race in San Francisco called the Bay to Breakers and organized the event, secured sponsors and promoted it.

People competing Saturday will include a group called the “Everytimers” — participants who have competed in every Sound to Narrows. They include Mike Thomsen, George Conner, Arvid Anderson, and the winner of the first Sound to Narrows, Sam Ring.

Ring, a competitive athlete who won the first race when he was 24, described to The News Tribune that he saw an article about the first race in The News Tribune.

“Back then, there was like three or four road races in the state of Washington. Now there’s like three or four in Tacoma every weekend … and back then it was kind of like, whoa, a road race in your neighborhood,” Ring told The News Tribune in a recent interview.

This year’s Sound to Narrows includes a 12K run with hills and a view of the water, a flat-ground 5K and a 20-yard diaper dash for kids.

For those who wish to participate but aren’t ready to be in a large crowd, there is a virtual option. Those who participate virtually will not be eligible for awards.

Mary Fabrizio, assistant vice president for the MultiCare Center for Health Equity and Wellness, said the race has become a tradition.

“It’s a Tacoma tradition. And it brings together our families and neighbors in a celebration of wellness and physical activity,” Fabrizio told The News Tribune.

Thomsen, who started competing in the race with his family at 13, described how the Sound to Narrows is a part of his life.

“At some point it became non-negotiable. I schedule my second Saturday in June around this. I will get back and run this. I will not let this streak end and part of it is a little bit psychological. You think about 50 years, I have been doing this since I was 13 years old … it’s a part of me,” Thomsen told The News Tribune.

The race has also become a family tradition for Conner, who has participated in the event with his wife, children and grandchildren. Conner, who plans to run with family on Saturday, acknowledged he is excited for the 50th anniversary and to see old friends as well as make new ones.

“It’s just seeing all the people there. Not only the ‘Everytimers,’ but just the community,” Conner said.

According to a news release from MultiCare, the event will take place on June 11 at Vassault Park. Check-in starts at 6:30 a.m. at North Vassault and 37th Street. Events will be on a rolling start with racing starting at 7:30 a.m. and awards happening at 9:45 a.m.

Those who participate in the run in-person will receive a runners bib, 50th anniversary T-shirt and Sound to Narrows medal. Virtual participants will get a bib number, finisher medal and T-shirt.

Participants can register at soundtonarrows.org and have until the race begins on Saturday. Registration for adults starts at $45 and $10 for kids participating in-person. For those who will be competing virtually, the fee is $30 per person.

Sound to Narrows is sponsored by many organizations, including MultiCare. According to the news release, all proceeds from the Sound to Narrows will benefit the MultiCare Academy for Students in Healthcare which is a free, five-day camp for local high school students and gives them an introduction to careers in healthcare.

Everytimer Anderson said he is gearing up for another memory-making experience.

“It’s a lifetime challenge. I think it’s a big deal to run 49 in a row, going on 50. You have to have something like that in your life — the more of those things you have the better. One of our ‘Everytimers’ mentioned that yellow blinking light off in the distance that you never seem to get to … I think we all need to have that yellow blinking light ahead of us. Keeps us going.”

This story was originally published June 9, 2022 at 5:00 AM.