Are you ready to rumble?
The Orcas Island Triple Ripple Trail Festival is now in the final stages of preparation for its Oct. 2-3 debut at the Environmental Learning Center at Moran State Park. Race organizers Jen Vollmer and Susannah Beck are expecting approximately 50 runners from as far away as Vermont to attend. The race festival offers three running races: a four miler around Mountain Lake, a 10-kilometer hill climb up Mt. Constitution, and a 30K trail run that traverses all of the parks most beautiful trails, with a special award for ‘Trail Monsters’ who complete all three events.
“We wanted to create an event that encouraged running and fitness on the island– there aren’t that many races here, for such a great trail system. So we are expecting a lot of locals for the four miler. The 30K is a draw for people from a lot farther away, while the 10K climb is just kind of a crazy event that needs to exist,” said Beck, who designed the courses. “And yes, there isn’t a lot of sense to running three races in two days, but it’s been a popular format in other parts of the country, and does give you an excuse to hang out with other runners for a weekend. There’s something for everyone.”
The festival will also feature a two-part Chi Running workshop with Seattle’s Laura Houston, music from Orcas’s Dust Bunnies and others, and food from local farms. Bunkhouse lodging is available at the ELC. The Triple Ripple is a fundraiser for The Funhouse and Friends of Moran State Park, and is generously supported by Gu. Runners from The Funhouse running programs get free entry.
The 4-Miler starts Saturday, Oct. 2, at 9 a.m. at Mountain Lake. The 10K starts at the ELC at 3 p.m., and the 30K starts at the ELC at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 3. More information, registration forms and maps are available at triplerippletrailfestival.blogspot.com. Registration will be available in person at the ELC Friday afternoon from 3-8 p.m., and Saturday morning at Mountain Lake from 8:00-8:30 am. Questions? Call 376-5118.
