2008 Cougar Mountain trail running series set

6th-annual competition starts May 17, features four races between 5 and 13 miles

Competitive trail running returns to King County’s Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park this spring with the sixth-annual Cougar Mountain trail running series.

Racing begins May 17 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 on Cougar Mountain.

“By hauling and laying gravel, building bridges and improving drainage along the trails, the volunteers are improving trail conditions for all park visitors – not just runners,” said Tom Koney, assistant director of the King County Parks Division.

“Our partnership with the Seattle Running Company is the perfect example of a direct public benefit from a public-private partnership,” Koney said.

In addition to the volunteer labor, a portion of the trail race registration fees are donated to King County Parks. Of each racer’s $25 per race registration fee, $15 goes toward park maintenance and improvements. Registration fees for the 2007 race series raised more than $11,000 for King County Parks.

When

• Race 1 (5 miles): Saturday, May 17 – 9 a.m.
• Race 2 (7 miles): Saturday, June 14 – 9 a.m.
• Race 3 (10 miles): Saturday, July 12 – 9 a.m.
• Race 4 (13 miles): Saturday, Aug. 9 – 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 2008 Vasque Cougar Mountain Trail Running series entry form, at http://www.seattlerunningcompany.com/Events/Cougar/cougarmtn1.html (external link) and mail to: Scott McCoubrey, VCMTRS Race Director, Seattle Running Company, 919 E. Pine St., Seattle WA, 98122. Entry forms are also available at the store, or online at http://www.active.com/ (external link).

The cost is $25 per race ($30 for day-of-race registration) or $80 for all four. Seattle Running Club members receive a $5 discount. $15 of each entry fee will benefit King County Parks and Recreation.

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.metrokc.gov/parks/.

Related Information:

Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park

King County Regional Trails

King County Parks and Recreation Division