Willapa Trail Festival
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About the race
The Willapa Trail Festival is a trail running event in Chehalis, WA, organized by Oly Trail Runners. Races use the Willapa Hills Trail, an old rail grade that runs along the Chehalis River and through rolling hills to Raymond and South Bend. The start and finish area is at Owl and Olive Cafe, adjacent to the trail and the upper Chehalis River.
Distances offered
- 100 Mile
- 50 Mile
- 50K
- 25K
- 5K (held on Sunday)
The trail is flat, wide double track with a mostly hard packed gravel surface. For the 100 mile course, 96 miles are on improved packed gravel and 4 miles are on pavement. The course is point to turnaround and out and back sections; 50 and 100 mile runners include additional out and back legs.
Aid stations and support vary by distance. The 5K, 25K, and 50K will have 2 to 3 aid stations. The 50 mile course includes one aid station on its additional out and back. The 100 mile course will include seven aid stations and provisions such as water, electrolytes, and common ultra foods. Drop bags are available at most stations. Pacers are allowed from 50K onward with check in at an aid station and no formal registration. The 100 mile finisher award is a unique ceramic belt buckle.
Entry fees are kept intentionally low and a portion of proceeds supports Willapa Hills Trail maintenance. The 2026 permit is pending and trail construction on the west end may alter the 100 mile route to a double 50 mile course. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.