The name says it all — challenge! If you’re looking for a race to make your legs come alive, this is the one for you. Our Tiger Peak Challenge will have you climbing two of Tiger Mountain’s peaks, and if that doesn’t satisfy your need for elevation, you can always …
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The name says it all — challenge! If you’re looking for a race to make your legs come alive, this is the one for you. Our Tiger Peak Challenge will have you climbing two of Tiger Mountain’s peaks, and if that doesn’t satisfy your need for elevation, you can always run them again!
Located near Issaquah, WA, Tiger Mountain State Forest is a 13,745-acre working forest that includes the West Tiger Mountain Natural Resources Conservation Area. Tiger Mountain offers many recreational opportunities, including hiking; mountain biking; equestrian trails; hang gliding; paragliding; and, of course, some of the best trail running in the area.
The course has changed due to logging operations. All distances start with the same stretch of trail, but the 5M runners have a smaller loop than the half-marathoners, now doing a bonus 2 miles for a 15 mile loop. The brave 50K runners will do the 15 mile (half-marathon) loop twice.
The trails will be open to other users during the event. There will be aid stations throughout the course with volunteers to help, food to eat and hydration to refuel. And of course, there will be an assortment of yummy food and treats waiting for you at the finish line.
This is a cupless race. All runners should carry with them a refillable container that they can run with. There will be a limited number of cups for emergency situations.
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Hard and beautiful
Felt much harder than last year’s temporary course. Logging at the top has opened up some beautiful views while the rest of the race is in beautiful temperate forest with … MORE
Felt much harder than last year’s temporary course. Logging at the top has opened up some beautiful views while the rest of the race is in beautiful temperate forest with an interesting section on the north side without any understory growth. It must be a little rain shadow from the peaks. Trails are mostly single track in good condition. Be ready to go up without any frivolous switchbacks. Race production great, so kind to slow pokes like me.
Legendary trail running experience!
This is a challenging trail run with a total elevation gain of about 3,500 ft, most of which occurs in the first 4 miles. I travelled from San Diego to … MORE
This is a challenging trail run with a total elevation gain of about 3,500 ft, most of which occurs in the first 4 miles. I travelled from San Diego to Issaquah because I had heard of this challenging race and the steep, technical aspects of the trail. It did not disappoint! It was steep. And it was hot. The scenery was beautiful, having trained in an arid environment it was lovely to experience something different and run through a lush green forest. Really glad I did this and I would definitely recommend to anyone who has some experience with trail running, who wants to push themselves and who wants an amazing trail running experience without worrying too much about your time.
Holy elevation
Day 3 after tiger peak and I am starting to feel my quads again! Tiger peak has some insane climbs the first 3 miles is all uphill for a nice … MORE
Day 3 after tiger peak and I am starting to feel my quads again! Tiger peak has some insane climbs the first 3 miles is all uphill for a nice bit of elevation gain! The trails were gorgeous and well kept. Aid stations had ice for the heat wave and any kind of snack and drink you could ever want. This course was brutal but evergreen puts on such a spectacular event. I would recommend!
Challenge! Evergreen Trails Yay!
Heat wave; but shady with ice for hydration vest at the aid stations. Being new this year to trail running the trekking poles came in handy in the steep ups … MORE
Heat wave; but shady with ice for hydration vest at the aid stations. Being new this year to trail running the trekking poles came in handy in the steep ups and downs. I wish more people would realize that you don’t need to be fast to have a great run and get out there while you can. They will support you no matter your pace.
Another 5-star production!
Katie and her crew consistently put together the best organized trail races. From the scenery, the challenges (Squak Mtn, Tiger Peak...) to the volunteers and post-race pizza by the bucket, … MORE
Katie and her crew consistently put together the best organized trail races. From the scenery, the challenges (Squak Mtn, Tiger Peak…) to the volunteers and post-race pizza by the bucket, they deserve my 5-star review at every event.
Great PNW trail within 30 mins of Seattl
The first 3/4 mile contains probably 80% of the total elevation gain for this race. Luckily that section is 2-3 people wide so passing and getting passed aren't an issue. … MORE
The first 3/4 mile contains probably 80% of the total elevation gain for this race. Luckily that section is 2-3 people wide so passing and getting passed aren’t an issue. In the 5 mile race the participants got well spaced out after the opening hill.
Miles 2 and 3 meander through rolling hills in the forest, but mostly flat. Aid station was at about 2 miles in and had gels, water for portable containers, etc. Great placement given you just summited the hill.
Mile 4 and 5 get a little technical with single track rocks, roots, and a steep descent towards the end.
My only minor complaint is that my Garmin only said 4.24 and others who finished around me had other numbers all between 4.24 and 4.75. I don’t feel like I ran ~8 minute miles especially with the hill at the beginning, but I’m sure they measured the distance manually and it’s just a case of bad GPS coverage.
Overall fantastic race. I’ve lived in Galveston, TX for the last 4 years so it felt great to run a trail in the PNW again even if there was a huge hill involved.
Hard AF
Very challenging - big elevation. The course was very clearly marked and easy to follow. Beautiful forest, kinda wish there was a view for all that elevation! MORE
Very challenging – big elevation. The course was very clearly marked and easy to follow. Beautiful forest, kinda wish there was a view for all that elevation!
Challenge...it's in the name.
This course is brilliantly challenging and has a terrific sense of being "out on your own" while never being far from the next aid station. After reaching the high point … MORE
This course is brilliantly challenging and has a terrific sense of being “out on your own” while never being far from the next aid station. After reaching the high point during the first loop I was significantly humbled especially after realizing I had only travelled about 6 miles with tons of climbing and I knew I’d have to do it all again. Needless to say this one isn’t for the faint of heart! This course also embodies the PNW to the highest degree. You’ll find yourself fully embedded amongst the evergreens and the occasional mountain stream (they were dried up this year due to the lack of rain).
My only ding on the race is that on the second loop the aid station at the high point was fully out of water. Kudos to the volunteers for bringing up more as quickly as they could but it was still a bit of a damper to arrive at the aid station then having to wait ~45 minutes while getting attacked by mosquitos before I could get hydration and continue on to the next leg of the course. Still this didn’t even come close to getting me down though as the race and course was spectacular and I kept telling myself to hold on for the yummy pizza at the end.
Kudos as well to Evergreen Trails for being able to successfully alter the course due to a last minute logging operation taking place. The course was really well marked and the crew’s bushwhacking efforts on the new course did not go unnoticed. Thanks for such a great race!
BEST way to explore Tiger Mtn!
This course is gloriously marked, easy to navigate, an amazing challenge and a super accomplishment for all finishers. Throw time expectations out the window if you are used to road … MORE
This course is gloriously marked, easy to navigate, an amazing challenge and a super accomplishment for all finishers. Throw time expectations out the window if you are used to road 1/2s, and just enjoy the amazing scenery and the fun course.