Millersylvania Trail Races
Overview
About this race
A friendly, fast-and-flat trail race in the old-growth forest of Millersylvania State Park, just south of Olympia. The whole event is a fundraiser — every entry is now directed by our friends at Interfaith Works, and a portion of each fee goes directly to their Homeless Services program. The course is a pleasant 5K loop through old-growth forest and along various waterways; run it 1, 2, 5, or 10 times, or see how far you can go in 12 hours. From a first 5K to a 50K to the 12-hour solo, there's a distance for everyone.
Distances
Choose your distance
50K
Entry
What's included in your entry
- A well-marked, scenic course through old-growth forest
- Chip-timed results, available same day at chronokeep.com
- Post-race food & drinks — pizza, beer, and soft drinks
- Aid-station support on every loop (except the 5K)
- A portion of your entry donated to Interfaith Works Homeless Services
Course
The course
The course is a single pleasant 5K loop through old-growth forest and along various waterways. You complete the loop 1× (5K), 2× (10K), 5× (25K), or 10× (50K) — or, in the 12-Hour Solo, as many loops as you can before the clock runs out.
Underfoot it's a mix of wide trails, single-track, a short wooden boardwalk, and a little gravel park road — mostly smooth, with the occasional root. It's marked with arrow signs at each junction and a pink-and-black checkered confidence ribbon; you shouldn't go more than half a mile without seeing a ribbon or sign.
These are shared, popular park trails — please be respectful of other users and slow down or yield to hikers and families.
Schedule
Race weekend timeline
Cut-offs
Aid-station cut-off times
| 50K / 25K — start final lap | 7:30 pm |
| Hard finish cutoff (all races) | 8:00 pm |
If you're not leaving an aid station by its cut-off you'll get a ride back to the finish. Sweeps leave at cut-off, taking course markings with them.
Support
Aid stations
Because the course is a 5K loop, you pass the single start/finish aid station every lap. It's stocked with water, Gnarly electrolyte, sodas, PB&J, fruit, chips, pickles, cookies, candy, and gels — plus first-aid supplies, sunscreen, bug spray, and menstrual products.
This is a cupless race: bring your own cup or bottle (reusable cups are available for purchase at registration). Drop bags are welcome at the aid station — bring your own bag.
Logistics
Getting there & lodging
Directions
- Millersylvania State Park is about 20 minutes south of downtown Olympia. From the main entrance on Tilley Rd SW, continue ¼ mile to the entrance booth, another 1/10 mile, then turn left past the campground and left again into the race parking lot. Parking is limited — please carpool and park close to other cars.
Camping & lodging
- A limited number of campsites are available at Millersylvania State Park. Reserve through the Washington State Parks reservations site before they sell out.
Good to know
Good to know
- This whole event is a fundraiser — all proceeds support Interfaith Works' homeless-services program. Runners are also encouraged to donate clothing, shoes, jackets, sleeping bags, blankets, socks, gloves, and hats.
- Registration does not include a t-shirt or hoodie, but you can add one during sign-up (deadline: August 10 at noon).
- Crew is welcome, but there's only one crew spot — the start/finish/aid station — which runners pass every 5K; no material support out on course.
- Registration does not include free photos; professional photos are available for purchase, with a link sent after the event.
Policy
Cancellations & transfers
Plans change. Refund windows, deferrals, and bib-transfer rules are the same across every Rainshadow race — cancel before race day and we'll email you a credit toward a future event.
Organiser
Who puts this on
Directed by Interfaith Works. Questions? Email office@interfaith-works.org.