Rainier to Ruston Relay

Rainier to Ruston Relay

Rainier to Ruston is a team relay event held on June 6, 2026, that travels from the foothills of Mount Rainier to the Ruston Way waterfront in Tacoma, Washington. The full route covers about 50 miles and is organized as a multileg relay rather than an individual race.

Teams may enter with 2, 3, 4, or 6 runners and compete across multiple categories for awards called Rainier to Ruston spikes. The finish area includes a craft beer garden, finish line food, and a bell stand that frames Mount Rainier for finish line photos.

Event proceeds support the Foothills Rails to Trails Coalition. Funds and volunteer effort aim to extend the existing trail network toward a continuous Mountain to Sound route of more than 50 miles. The coalition maintains about 24 miles of paved trail now, organizes year round volunteer work parties, and pursues projects such as stream restoration and native tree planting to improve trail access and stewardship.

Race organizers also rely on a large volunteer base each year. The relay emphasizes team logistics, shared transportation between legs, and running on a mix of trail and roadway sections as teams move from the mountain foothills to the waterfront. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.