Sunflower Relay, Half Marathon and Marathon
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About the race
The Sunflower event features a trail-based marathon, half marathon, and team relay through the Methow Valley, beginning in Mazama and finishing near Twisp. The course starts at about 2,180 feet, rises to roughly 2,600 feet at two points, and finishes at about 1,600 feet. Terrain includes well-marked deer trails, single-track trails, and gravel roads that pass flower-carpeted meadows and fields with views of the Methow River, the North Cascades, and the Chelan Sawtooths. The route crosses private property that is open to runners for the event day only.
Event details include:
- Marathon: 26.8 miles
- Half marathon: ~13.1 miles
- Relay legs: 2.2, 5.6, 5.9, 6.5, 6.6 miles
The marathon is a marathon-plus distance with elevation change of +2,520 / -2,350 feet; marathon participants are expected to run the entire course and be able to complete it within seven hours. Half marathon participants are expected to finish their course within five hours. Relay teams consist of two to five people; the event offers five wave options to reduce exchange congestion and wave sign-ups are first-come, first-served.
The 2027 event is sold out; the marathon waitlist is open. The race is cupless: runners should carry a bottle, collapsible cup, or hydration pack; aid stations provide water and Skratch mix for refills. Shuttles transport runners from the finish area to the starts. Relay teams must pick up packets on Friday; other bib pickup options are available on race day. Registration includes bib, custom Sunflower apparel, post-race lunch, and raffle entry. Registration insurance is recommended; refunds carry a $50 cancellation fee when applicable and no refunds are issued after March 15, 2027. Transfers are allowed through March 25, 2027. No dogs are allowed on the course. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
