The Tower Challenge

It’s simple. You start and finish in the same location. You have 10 hours to bag as many water towers in the greater Olympia area as you can in the time limit. There is no set course. All runners will have to plan and navigate their own route from tower to tower in whatever order they want. The only rules are 1) you cannot cross private property, 2) you cannot run on highways, and 3) you must have a great time.

There is one modest entry fee. The more towers you bag, the more bang you get for your buck!

This year’s event will be a collaboration between Olytrailrunners and Oly Road Dawgs and will be hosted by Briggs Taphouse. Food, beverages, raffle prizes, and good times will abound after runners finish their urban adventure.

There are no aid stations. Runners must carry, procure, or forage their own supplies along their way. I recommend doing some research on where water and food sources are along your planned route. Salmon berries should be about ripe. Public parks are fair game, as are any open business such as convenience stores, restaurants, or food trucks. Bringing your cash or cards and ID if you get hungry would be a good idea if you plan on doing the three tower challenge or longer. Phones and other navigation tools are encouraged.

There are twelve specific water towers. You can do as few as 1 or as many as 12 if you can fit them all in the allotted 10 hour time limit. There will be a book located at each tower. Each runner will tear a page from the book that corresponds to their race number and carry it with them. When you get back to the start/finish area, you’ll show these pages to the timers for verification.

Overall winners of each tower category will receive a gift of some sort. Awards will be determined by fastest time. This means that the winner is not necessarily the person with the fastest pace, but rather the most efficient route! We ask that runners who share GPS watch data with timers at the end to help us keep track of times and pace, and verify that you’re not just taking an Uber to and from each tower.

Strava Art Award – plan an artistic route that includes at least 1 tower and you might get a special prize!

We give a Finishers Award for those who are able to get specific towers. There will be four awards:

3 Towers Classic!

3 Towers Classic
Approximately a half marathon-ish
All runners who complete at least the three towers from the original Three Towers Challenge will receive a special award:
1. Tumwater Hill Tower
2. Eastside 7th and Fir St Tower
3. Westside Sunrise Park Tower.

More Towers!

7 Towers
Approximately a full marathon-ish
All runners who complete these specific towers will receive an award:
1. Tumwater Hill Tower
2. Eastside 7th and Fir St Tower
3. Westside Sunrise Park Tower
4. LBA park Tower 1
5. LBA park Tower 2
6. Marshall Middle School/Cooper Crest Tower
7. Stevens Field/South Capitol Tower

10 Towers
Probably an ultra
All runners who complete these specific towers will receive an award:
1. Tumwater Hill Tower
2. Eastside 7th and Fir St Tower
3. Westside Sunrise Park Tower
4. LBA park Tower 1
5. LBA park Tower 2
6. Marshall Middle School/Cooper Crest Tower
7. Stevens Field/South Capitol Tower
8. Lacey corporate Center Tower
9. Marvin Road Northeast Tower
10. Boston Harbor Elementary Tower

12 Towers
Definitely an ultra
All runners who complete these specific towers will receive an award:
1. Tumwater Hill Tower
2. Eastside 7th and Fir St Tower
3. Westside Sunrise Park Tower
4. LBA park Tower 1
5. LBA park Tower 2
6. Marshall Middle School/Cooper Crest Tower
7. Stevens Field/South Capitol Tower
8. Lacey corporate Center Tower
9. Marvin Road Northeast Tower
10. Boston Harbor Elementary Tower
11. Reginal Athletic Complex Tower
12. McAllister/Saint Clair Tower

Maps and/or addresses for all the towers will be sent out via email prior to the race so you can plan your route.

This is a fun running challenge, not a race to the death. We ask that all participants be respectful to other runners, drivers, pedestrians, business owners, and private residents of the Olympia/Lacey/Tumwater area. Also, be respectful to yourself. Don’t run out into traffic or push yourself so hard that you end up bonking. Keep it safe, and within your means.

If you choose to quit along the way, we’re not coming to get you. You’ll have to find your own way back to your car.

Early start is available upon request for runners who want to try the 7, 10, or 12 tower options but need more time. Email requests to the race director.

Event's current local time: 4:40 AM PT