RUN Wenatchee

A scene from the 2013 Horse Lake Trail Run in the Wenatchee Foothills.

WENATCHEE — RunWenatchee has some really cool news: We will be holding this spring the first official trail run series along the east slopes of the Cascades in Washington state.

The Wenatchee Valley Trail Run Series, presented by Volyn Law of Wenatchee, will combine two existing events — the May 10 Horse Lake Trail Runs in the Wenatchee Foothills and the June 8 Red Devil Challenge Trail Runs in the Devil’s Gulch area of the Wenatchee National Forest near Cashmere — with a new race, the June 22 Bavarian Battle Trail Runs at the Leavenworth Ski Hill.

The trail series will include prize money as well.

Each of these runs will take place on single-track, well-maintained trails, set amid a crush of wildflowers and views of the North Cascades.

The Red Devil Challenge Trail Runs are set in the Wenatchee National Forest near Cashmere.

“With the Leavenworth event, we have a true trail run series now, and one that stretches from one end of the valley to the other,” said Steve Maher, a partner in RunWenatchee. “The communities of Wenatchee, Cashmere and Leavenworth will each be featured as will their local trail systems.”

According to Matt Kearny, sports tourism coordinator with the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce, the estimated economic impact from the trail run series will be in the $95,000 to $100,000 range. That figure include funds being raised for the trail series’ three beneficiaries — the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, Chelan County Mountain Rescue and the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club.

“Trail running is one of the fastest growing segments of running, with long distance trail running (half-marathons or greater) up 200 percent in the last five years,” said Joel Rhyner, race director of the series. “The Wenatchee Valley is perfectly positioned to offer world-class trail running right out our back door.”

As part of the series, RunWenatchee will be offering prize money to the winners (male and female) of the overall series in both short-course and long-course divisions. For details and rules: https://www.runwenatchee.com/wenatchee-valley-trail-run-series/

“Having the ability to offer prize money has been a goal of ours, and we are fortunate to have the support of our presenting sponsor, Volyn Law, to allow this to happen,” Rhyner said.

The Horse Lake Trail Runs, which benefit the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, include half-marathon and 5-mile distances. The Red Devil Trail Runs, held in the Wenatchee National Forest south of Cashmere and benefitting Chelan County Mountain Rescue, include 10K and 25K distances and a kids race. And the Bavarian Battle event, with proceeds going to the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club, will feature 10-mile and 8K runs, plus a kids race.

The Bavarian Battle Trail Runs also are being held in conjunction with the June 21 Bavarian Battle Adventure Race at the same site. For more on the adventure race — which includes a festive beer garden, music and food — please visit: http://www.skileavenworth.com/events/BavarianBattle.

“The Leavenworth Winter Sports Club is excited to be teaming up with RunWenatchee to bring the community a couple of challenging and fun races on June 21 and 22,” said Corey McKenna, LWSC marketing director. “These two races are going to challenge athletes’ skills and endurance, and all in the same weekend.”

In addition to Volyn Law, sponsors include Project Groundwork, Arlberg Sports, Cashmere Valley Bank, Liberty Orchards (Orchard Bars), Crunch-Pak, Milepost 111 Brewery, and Great Harvest Bread Co. of Wenatchee.

— RunWenatchee.com