Trail running at Cougar Mountain challenges

2005 Archived News

The third annual Cougar Mountain Running Series kicks off this Saturday, May 21, 2005 Sponsored by King County and the Seattle Running Company, it began three years ago. This year's series will have four runs throughout the summer with distances ranging from 5 miles and working up to 13 miles.

A relatively new "sport', trail running provides an all-over-body workout and offers the visual pleasures of forested, scenic parkland. The Cougar Mountain Series is one of only a few trail running events west of the Cascades.

Often called the largest urban wildland park in the nation, Cougar Mountain provides invaluable habitat for wildlife. With more than 3,000 acres of forestland and more than 35 miles of trails, it is becoming well-known for its summer trail running series.

Another unique component to the event-- not only do participants run the trials, they also help maintain them.

"We ask that those who participate in the challenge of this kind of running race help our staff maintain the trails for those who hike on them," says Bobbi Wallace, Park Resource Section Manager

King County depends heavily on volunteers to help maintain trails. To date local support from Washington Trails Association, the Issaquah Alps Trail Club and the Washington Native Plant Society have already put in 7,500 volunteer hours to help maintain trails on Cougar Mountain.

"As more and more people take part in trail running, we decided to encourage participation in the unique activity of back packing rock to the wet trail areas through this volunteer work parties," said Wallace. "Volunteers see first hand the benefits to keeping the trails safe and accessible by helping out with the trail runner work projects."
The Seattle Running company will be on site to educate runners about the benefits of trail running, as well as, preparation, proper attire and nutritional requirements.

The annual Cougar Mountain running series kicks off its third year starting May 21, 2005. Participation costs $25 per race, or $80 for the four-race series. Parts of the fees go to support King County Parks.

Cougar Mountain Trail Racing Series.

All races begin at 9 a.m. except August 13, which begins at 8:30 a.m.

• May 21, 2005 (5 miles)
• June 11, 2005 (7.5 miles)
• July 10, 2005 (10 miles)
• August 13, 2005 (13 miles)
  

Race day registration runs from 7 to 8:30 a.m., with the race kicking off at 9 a.m. The start will be at the Clay Pit Road trailhead off of 166th Way SE (NOT at the Red Town trailhead).

Directions:

From I-90 Eastbound, take the Lakemont Boulevard SE (Exit 13) exit. Head south (turn right) for 2+ miles on Lakemont Boulevard SE. Turn left onto SE Cougar Mountain Way; go 0.6 miles and then turn right onto 166th Way SE. Follow this road through the gate and look for the parking lot on your right.

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