RUN Wenatchee

A runner in the 2017 Red Devil Challenge Trail Runs heads through the Wenatchee National Forest.

WENATCHEE — RunWenatchee will hold seven official races in 2018 — including one featuring a 50K for the very first time — along with a film festival and a speaker series.

“It’s a good mix of road and trail runs,” said Joel Rhyner, RunWenatchee race director. “In recent years, we have poured a lot of resources into trail running and that emphasis will continue with our Wenatchee Valley Trail Run Series, the Trails In Motion Film Festival, and guest speakers.”

Rhyner said the annual Red Devil Challenge Trail Runs, held south of Cashmere, will include a 50K race. It will be the first time a 50K has been held in the Wenatchee Valley.

“Our trails are some of the best in the country, and with ultra distances such as the 50K growing rapidly, it only made sense for us to add this distance, especially to the iconic Red Devil with its challenging terrain, awesome scenery and fun post-race atmosphere,” he said.

RunWenatchee’s year begins with two road runs — the Feb. 24 Heart Breaker 5K on the Apple Capital Loop Trail in Wenatchee and the March 17 O’Grady’s St. Paddy’s 5K at Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort in Leavenworth.

On Friday, March 23, the Trails In Motion Film Festival will be held at the Numerica Performing Arts Center in downtown Wenatchee. The film festival is the unofficial kickoff to the spring trail running season in the region.

A speaker series, featuring world-renowned runners, will be held for the second year. RunWenatchee anticipates releasing the schedule by January.

On April 28, the Horse Lake Trail Runs (5-mile, 7-mile and half-marathon distances) will be held on the Hose Lake Reserve in the Wenatchee Foothills. The sixth-annual Horse Lake event, which is part of the Wenatchee Valley Trail Run Series, serves as a fundraiser for the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust and its trails program.

Other races in the 2018 Trail Run Series will include the June 2 Red Devil Trail Runs (10K, 25K and 50K distances) in the Wenatchee National Forest south of Cashmere; and the Oct. 20 Oktoberfest Trail Runs (5-mile and 10-mile distances) at Leavenworth Ski Hill. Red Devil has been held every year since 2011, while Oktoberfest has been held since 2015.

“The region has a growing reputation as a trail-running mecca,” said Steve Maher, RunWenatchee’s communications director. “In many ways, we have it all — quick access to trailheads, well-maintained trails, challenging climbs, and open vistas with views of the Cascades and the valleys below.”

On July 4, RunWenatchee will hold its eighth-annual River Run on the Fourth 5K and 10K along the Apple Capital Loop Trail. The event is part of the community’s Wenatchee Valley Independence Day Celebration.

The run calendar concludes with the 10th-annual Turkey on the Run 5K and 12K in Wenatchee on Nov. 22.

In addition to the races, film festival and speaker series, RunWenatchee holds a weekly Run Club from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Thursday throughout the year (with the exception of holidays), staged from Pybus Public Market. The free activity is for both runners and walkers.

And during the warmer-weather months (generally March through early October), RunWenatchee holds free track workouts from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday at the Wenatchee High School track.

RunWenatchee is currently seeking sponsors for its 2018 races, Run Club, and Trails In Motion Film Festival. Interested? Contact Steve Maher at (509) 630-2090 or Joel Rhyner at (509) 387-0051.

RunWenatchee was founded in 2007. Its mission is to improve the health and fitness of residents and visitors through the sport of running.