Tiger Claw
Issaquah, United States • 8-9 May 2026
Tiger Claw : May 8-9, 2026 (Issaquah, WA)
Tiger Claw is a trail event on Tiger Mountain with multiple race formats based at the Issaquah Community Center. The event emphasizes steep climbs and technical Pacific Northwest trails. The full 50k is described as about 31 miles with roughly 8,500 ft of elevation gain on rugged terrain. The Ascent is a vertical race up West Tiger 2 via the Cable Line route: 2.5 miles with about 2,500 ft of climb, followed by an untimed 3 mile descent back to the trailhead.
Races and formats
- Ascent - straight vertical ascent to West Tiger 2, timed at the summit.
- 50k / 31 miles - single-loop event with significant elevation.
- Big Cat - combined registration that includes both the Ascent and the 50k.
- Ambush - new 3-person relay following the 50k to the first aid station, then splitting to run the three ascents separately; team time equals the last teammate to finish.
- Double (50 miles) - completes the Tiger Claw loops twice, once in each direction, totaling nearly 17,000 ft of vertical gain.
Logistics, aid stations and policies
There are two aid stations, Base Camp and High Camp, offering drinks and basic race foods. Runners must carry at least one water bottle; there will be no disposable cups, and water pitchers or collapsible race cups will be provided. Special food needs are recommended to be carried by participants. The event features equal podium prizing for Men, Women and Non-Binary categories. A waitlist is used if the race fills; invited waitlist entries have seven days to accept. Registration opens Dec 5, 2025. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.