2027 News!
Welcome back runners for the 17th year of trail running on Vashon Island! We had great weather and running in 2026, with over 120 runners testing their mettle or spending time with friends. We had friends join us from Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Kentucky, New York, Oregon and the little town of Wendelstein, Bavaria. We had runners as young as 16 up to 88 years.
For 2027, we should be able to run without being impacted by King County Parks 45.4 acres of commercial tree thinning in Island Center Forest across eight units, and 4.7 acres of drop-and-leave cutting in four alder “gap” cuts. Along Fir Hill Trail, dead and dying trees that pose a risk to trail users will be cut and left on-site. View the project here.
The 50k is three loops, the 20 mile is two loops, and the ten mile is one loop of the course. There are no refunds (contact the RD about roll-overs, which are only granted for reasons outside the control of the runner). Registrants can transfer their entries until the cut-off date.
Day of Race
There will be day-of-race registration, 50k registrants first, then 10 and 20 mile registrants at 8:30 after 50k'ers leave.
Camping on Friday night is an option. Please email us to confirm you are planning to camp prior to arriving. Camping will be in the big grass field at the start/finish, near SW 178th and 103rd SW, with porta-potties and water in jugs. Thank you!
Timeline:
7 am – 8:15 am: 50k Bib/t-shirt Pickup
8:15: 50K Race Course Briefing / Announcements
8:30 am: 50K Race Start
8:30-9:15 am 10 and 20 mile Bib/t-shirt Pickup
9:15: 10 & 20 Mile Race Course Briefing / Announcements
9:30 am 10 and 20 Mile Race Start
12 noon
Post Race Food with Refreshments
2:30 pm
Cut-off for last 20 mile and 50K runners heading out on third loop
5:30 Course closes
At the two checkpoints (out about 6 miles every lap, and back at the start/finish/turnaround) there will be:
Water
Coke
Mt. Dew
Carb fluid (brand TBD)
Salt
Potato Chips
Watermelon
PBJs
Oranges sliced
Bananas halved
Gels (Gu )
Stroop Waffles (Gu)
Various junk food - paydays, + whatever the Captains think up
Energetic and enthusiastic helpers.
We come back through base camp every ten (+) miles, where there will be a spot for drop bags, also, Land Trust Aid Station at 6/16/26 miles also will have a car bringing drop bags out, if you want one there as well.
ADA Accommodation procedure: www.usatf.org/governance/policies/usatf-policy-procedures-for-evaluation-of-requests Please review the USATF Safe Sport Handbook here for compliance with our harassment policy. We are an entirely volunteer event, a non-profit charity, and therefore cannot offer refunds once registered. Email us about how to exchange your entry to another person! Our policy is in line with other ultra/trail events, and are more generous than some.
Course Details
Where does the course go?
All races will embark from the same start line/finish line at the Gateway Trail system near SW 178th and 103rd SW. Porta Potties are at 0, .5, 1.4 and 6 miles. If "going" in the woods, please step off the trail and be discrete. A map/course GPX will be emailed to entrants a week prior to the event as the course passes through private property, and we want to keep traffic down on those portions to keep friendly relations. Otherwise, go on to Strava and look up the course from past winners/runners. The first 1/4 mile will be dirt road, then taking runners into Island Center Forest’s Gateway Trail system.
Runners will enter the Gateway Trail and will travel around in a general clockwise direction, first heading to the 188th lot, onto the 188th Trail, Valley of the Firs, Grinder, Mikes and Craigs, middle and north trails, borrow pit, to AS1 at Fisher Pond, around the pond to 115th, then back into the ICF and around Mukai Pond and the perimeter of Dragons Head Cider Farm. There, you only have a mile to go to the finish/AS2/turnaround. As usual the course will be clearly marked – but runners should remain alert just the same. The course will basically travel the interior and perimeter of the park, ending up back at the Start/Finish, where the 10/20 milers will finish and the 50k runners will head back out on Gateway Trail for two more loops.
Aid stations will be located at miles 6 and 10. 50k runners will pass each aid station 3 times.
What is the terrain like?
This rolling race course will include primarily single track and double track park trails, with some dirt roads, gravel driveways, grass shoulders and short sections of paved road. The elevation change is about 770 feet per loop. Though don’t let that fool you – while generally short in distance, there are some nice steep hills in the mix on this course. Very little of this course qualifies as flat. Technically the trails are mostly well groomed and free of obstacles and hazards. That said there are sections of the trail where footing will be challenged by roots, downed logs, or quick turns and sharp changes in elevation. Staying alert is important.
Will the course be closed to the public?
No. Runners will be running on both public and private land. While the Vashon Island Ultramarathon & Trail run has permits and permission for all properties that runners will be accessing and crossing – those permits and permissions do not include exclusive use of those trails. Runners should be aware of their surroundings and should anticipate encountering equestrians, pedestrians and bicyclists. Please be courteous and review the Vashon Island Ultramarathon Trail Rules for trail etiquette. Also when crossing and running on paved roads runners should yield to all motorized vehicle traffic.
The Vashon Island Ultramarathon & Trail Run course map and detailed description will be emailed to runners in the week prior to race. Thanks for your patience!
Getting here
Getting to the Race: Ferry Schedule. Check back frequently as WA DOT switches between a two-boat and three-boat frequently, and also cancels sailings for crew shortages and mechanical issues. Heading South from North End Ferry Dock (Arriving from Southworth or Fauntleroy):
When exiting the Ferry Dock you will stay to the left and head up the hill on the Vashon Hwy
Continue South on Vashon Hwy, turn right on SW 178th (movie theater)
Follow signs to parking area.
If arriving Friday to camp out, camp in the lot where posted.
Heading North from Tahlequah Ferry Dock (Arriving from Pt. Defiance/Tacoma):
When exiting the Ferry Dock turn left onto Vashon Hwy
Continue North on Vashon Hwy until in town, turn left on SW 178th (Chevron)
Follow signs to park.
Vashon Island is only accessible by ferry boat. You can walk or drive onto the Washington State Ferries that service Vashon. We recommend you drive or plan to carpool if you walk on. It is important that you plan ahead so that you are not stuck in the ferry line or on the boat as race time approaches! If you get stuck, jump out, run onto the boat, and look for a ride to town.
Beware of over-loads and to be safe take an early ferry, carpooling is also recommended. If you cannot drive onto the “last ferry” due to over-loads, walk on and ask for a ride/hitch-hike with other racers on the boat.
10/20 Milers, while you have an extra hour to get to the start finish – beware that Saturday morning ferries coming to Vashon in Summer months tend to overload the later in the day you get.
We have always had the necessary permits and insurance, and by the USATF sanctioning, include waivers for trail running possibilities.
All important information is on our UltraSignUp website. We no longer hand out packets full of leaflets and brochures which can easily be found online.
We limit participants to 200 in order to ensure minimum environmental impact and safety.
We abide by USATF rules.
Some common rules: This is a foot race.
Dogs (and other animals)/Portable Music Players/Spectators – Non-human animal companions are not allowed to accompany runners as we pass through a wildlife sanctuary. Once out, dogs under control can run with you as long as they are on leash and do not bother others. Wear headphones with care and the knowledge you may endanger yourself and others by doing so.
The results are tabulated using the UltraSignUp app and live posted, and corrected in the days that follow. Let us know if they are inaccurate.
Prize bags may be handed out to the mens and womens winners.
We are a Washington State non-profit corporation and IRS 501 (c ) 3 not for profit corporation. Proceeds go to support island youth athletics.
USATF Safe Sport Sanction
For the safety of our athletes, USATF adopted the USATF Safe Sport Program. Safe Sport at USATF aims to prevent sexual misconduct and abuse, bullying, hazing, harassment, physical abuse, and emotional abuse in the sports of track & field, long distance running, and race walking. Our goal is to create a clear culture of awareness to protect the participants in our sports at all levels.
This USATF Sanctioned Event Organizer is required to be in compliance with USATF’s Safe Sport Program. The Organizer is subject to the jurisdiction of USATF and/or the U.S. Center for SafeSport (“USCSS”), including with regard to the investigation and resolution of any allegations that such Organizer may have violated any USATF Safe Sport policies, Minor Athlete Abuse Protection Policies (“MAAPP”), or the SafeSport Code.
Further, the Organizer is subject to any action taken by the USCSS or USATF as a result of such allegations, including without limitation, suspension, permanent suspension, and/or referral to law enforcement authorities, all as set forth in the USCSS Policies and Procedures.
The Event Organizer is required to: ENSURE NO PERSONS INVOLVED IN A USATF SANCTIONED EVENT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO EVENT ADMINISTRATORS, PARTICIPANTS, OFFICIALS, AND VOLUNTEERS, WHO ARE LISTED ON EITHER THE USATF DISCIPLINARY LIST OR THE USCSS DISCIPLINARY LIST
USATF DISCIPLINARY LIST,
USCSS DISCIPLINARY LIST;
AND
ENSURE USATF’S MAAPP DOCUMENT IS DISTRIBUTED TO ALL EVENT ADMINISTRATORS, PARTICIPANTS, OFFICIALS, AND VOLUNTEERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RESPECTIVE USATF SANCTIONED EVENT.
Please read this document - Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP).
Event's current local time: 7:30 AM PT
