King County is partnering with Seattle Running Company to bring the trail running series to Cougar Mountain. The summer series is among only a few of its kind west of the Cascades and is the only organized trail race at Cougar Mountain. The Cougar Mountain Trail Running Series will have four runs throughout the summer, starting at 5 miles and working up to 13 miles.

The unique partnership generates revenue for King County and provides hundreds of hours in volunteer trail maintenance at Cougar Mountain.

Participation in the trail running event will cost $25 per race, or $80 for the four-race series and with $15 of each entry fee supporting King County Parks. Races are set May 20 (5 miles), June 10 (7.5 miles), July 8 (10 miles), and August 12 (13 miles).

To accompany the series, Seattle Running Company will also conduct clinics to build interest in trail running and educate runners about preparation, proper attire and nutrition. Trail running is growing in popularity in the Pacific Northwest. Many runners turn to trail running because of the all-over body workout, the natural beauty of the setting and because running on a trail has less impact on the body.

The partnership brought in more than $8,000 for King County Parks and more than 100 hours of trail maintenance at Cougar Mountain in 2003. Carrying knapsacks filled with gravel to fill trail mud holes in remote areas of the park, the runners saved the county more than $5,000 trail maintenance costs last year.

King County depends heavily on volunteers help to maintain trails at Cougar Mountain. The Washington Trails Association, the Issaquah Alps Trails Club and the Washington Native Plant Society are among the organizations that provide as many as 7,500 volunteer hours annually to help maintain Cougar Mountain.

The Cougar Mountain Trail Running Series is part of a new way of doing business adopted under King County's Parks Transition Plan that has reduced Parks' dependence on general taxes.

Cougar Mountain has 12 miles of horse trail, 36 miles of hiking trail and is more than four square miles in size. It is located south of I-90 and east of I-405, just minutes from downtown Bellevue, Seattle or Renton.

For questions about the Cougar Mtn Trail Running Series Web page, please contact Jessie Israel, Public Affairs.

For questions about the Web site for the Parks and Recreation Division, please contact Mel Boupharath, webmaster.

Parks and Recreation Division

Updated: March 21, 2006

Related Information:

Seattle Running Company (external link)

Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park

Parks Business Plan

Volunteer on King County Trails