The Mountain Magic Trail Run June 29, 2025

By Brad Thiessen

The Mt Spokane Nordic ski trails make Mountain Magic uniquely runnable and challenging for all levels of runner.

I created the Mountain Magic trail run, held on June 29^th  this year, on the Mt. Spokane Nordic (cross-country) ski trails eight years ago, but the roots go back 25+ years.

I started running reluctantly when I moved back to my childhood home city of Edmonton, Alberta, after college. It was a way to work off the gut I had grown from a year of eating a free pizza a day as a Pizza Hut server. I was surprised to find I actually enjoyed it.

When my wife and I moved to a new house a couple of years later, I discovered that the trails that wound through a nearby ravine were a much more satisfying option than pavement. The up-and-down motivated me to push harder and threading my way among the trees made me relaxed and brighter even when I was exhausted.

Then we moved to the flat desert of Central California. The next seven years were filled with tedious runs on a grid of pavement. The traffic lights every half mile gave me a chance to heave in the most polluted air in the U.S.

So moving to Spokane in 2005 was a rebirth, a chance to really dig into running again. The Centennial Trail was one thing, but discovering the Dishman Hills Natural Area at Camp Caro transformed my running life. The trails weren’t as rolling as the ones back in Edmonton but they were higher, longer and more challenging.

Nordic (cross-country) skiing on Mt. Spokane came a few years later. I fell in love with the area, and Nordic skiing, almost instantly. Then I ran those trails in summers for the first time and was blown away. For me it was like the fun of my first runs in Edmonton combined with the rewarding challenge of the Dishman Hills trails rolled up into the ideal running experience. I found myself getting into the zone where it was just my legs, the ground, the trees and the sunshine. With some lung- and quad-busting sections thrown in along the way. After I got cancer in 2015, running there became a refuge and a source of healing.

You see, when I run trails, I want to be able to actually run most of them, not spend half the time power-walking. I’ve entered a few races and gone on many runs that had steep uphills for large sections where you have no choice but to power-walk, and you find yourself heaving and light-headed and cursing your poor judgement, wondering how you could think this would be a fun way to spend your morning. These kinds of runs are satisfying to look back on, but for me they just don’t have the same thrill in the moment. They don’t get me in the zone.

That’s why I created the Mountain Magic Trail Run—so I can share my love of running those trails with OTHERS who get that same kind of joy and satisfaction as I do.

It’s also why I added a 5k option the second year—if your main  running experience is the weekly 5k at running club, this is your chance to give dirt a try and get that same feeling of the friendly running community at the same time.

Since the first Mountain Magic run 8 years ago, a lot of things have changed—tweaking the routes, trying a marathon (won’t happen again!), adding a 35k to the 10k and 25k options, and giving out medals this year.

To top it off, Athletic Brewing is supplying a selection of their award-winning non-alcoholic beer for free this year. Trail runners love craft beer, but it’s illegal to serve alcohol on State Parks land so this is something I’ve dreamt of for years!

Some things haven’t changed, like the awesome positive vibe of the trail running community, the full meal afterward and of course the amazing setting.

Now I want you to have the chance to experience this magical event. Head over to MountainMagicRun.com and register today. It’s the trail running party to kick off your summer—runnable, challenging and magical!

The post The Birth of a Magical Trail Run on Mount Spokane appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Brad Thiessen

Why do cancer survivors run marathons and triathlons? Why do divorcees journey to the hills of Italy? Why do grieving spouses hike the Appalachian Trail?

At least a part of the answer is that nature–being outdoors–has the power to reach deep into our souls and heal us. Another is that having a goal helps us rebuild a sense of meaning and purpose for our lives. And a third part of the answer is that the physical strength that’s developed through these efforts can lead to emotional and mental resilience. Stories have that same power to heal and inspire us. When they’re compelling, they can take us out of our own experience and give us a window into someone else’s reality. That connection can bring new paths to growth.

Put those together and you get the OutLive Film Festival. It’s an evening of short films that tell true stories of courage and healing, lived outdoors. Now in its second year, the festival will be held at 7 pm on Thursday March 20 at the Washington Cracker Company building at 304 W. Pacific Ave. downtown Spokane. Learn more and get tickets at outlivefilmfest.com.

The post OutLive Film Festival 2025 March 20 Downtown Spokane appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Brad Thiessen

The Mountain Magic Trail Run, a race with 5, 10, and 25k options on the Mt. Spokane Nordic ski trails, is now in its 7^th year and set for June 30, 2024. Here’s the challenging, sometimes harrowing story of how it was born, and how it got its quirky name.

I’ve had cancer three times, including nine brain surgeries and assorted other operations. My body is tattooed by a scarred map of every single stitch along the way. Coming out of that last recurrence in December 2015, I knew the only way to rebuild was to set a major goal. So I decided to run my first 50k trail race the following September. It was kind of a foolhardy goal, since at the time I could barely run 100 feet at a light jog before collapsing to catch my breath.

With help from Dave Dutro of Trail Maniacs, I set out on a nine-month training journey. It started with a disastrous Bloomsday where I staggered across the finish line. That was followed by 25k Trail Maniacs runs at Farragut State Park in Idaho in May, another at Heyburn State Park in June, and then the last one, at Mt. Spokane in July. To train, I started running on the Nordic ski trails on Mt. Spokane almost every week. It was like magic. Every time I got back, I felt a little stronger. Plus, it took me above the smoke that plagued the Northwest that summer, with air so thick and yellow we weren’t supposed to even go outside to the grocery store. That last race on Mt. Spokane was a fitting end to my training—a body- and soul-crushing grind that started easy with a fun downhill to Bear Creek Lodge, then kicked straight up to the peak and back down the near-vertical hardpan of the mountain’s east face to the Selkirk lodge.

Runners leave the start of the first-ever Magic Mountain Trail Run

By the time I crossed the line, I had moved up in the rankings far higher than any of the previous races. Not that it mattered, but it meant my training was paying off. Cancer hadn’t beaten me. When the morning of the Riverside 50k came, the email came in just as I was making my pre-race breakfast—the race was cancelled due to smoke.

But truthfully, it didn’t faze me too much. We had been warned it might happen. And after all, what had the goal really been, at its heart? To rebuild, to conquer the fear and discouragement and brokenness left by cancer and its treatment. My training—and the trails—had accomplished that.

That afternoon, my brother and I went up above the smoke to those Mt. Spokane Nordic ski trails and had a great few hours enjoying the trails. I eventually ran my 50k in October, on my own with a crew of friends and family. The Mt. Spokane Nordic trails had been my go-to training ground, my place of healing. So the following summer, a trail race seemed like a great way to share some of that magic with my fellow runners. And because of that, the name was born—Mountain Magic.

That’s why the event is so special to me. I hope you’ll join me on June 30, 2024.

You can learn more about Mountain Magic at mountainmagicrun.com, and more about my journey at curioussurvivor.com.

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1. Don’t Time Yourself

Okay, who am I kidding—you’re probably going to time yourself. Just don’t beat yourself up about it. Unless you’re running a familiar route, no two miles on trails are the same. The whole goal of trail running is to enjoy your body, enjoy the trail, and soak in nature.

• Don’t Get Lost (unless you like doing that)

A satisfying run can go sour pretty quickly if you find yourself off-course and unprepared or out of time. Trail running is more than just running—it’s also orienteering. There may not be landmarks to guide you, or they may look different when approached from a different angle. So plan your route and pay deliberate attention as you go down the trail.

• Dress for This Afternoon

Bring a pack with clothes that layer. My strongest cautionary memory is my brother looking up at the blue sky from the parking lot and saying “It’s not going to rain,” then putting his jacket back in the trunk. Watching him shiver uncontrollably with hypothermia four hours later was a rather sobering experience.

• Go with a Friend (unless you really like running alone)

Trail running with a friend has a couple of huge benefits. First, running frees the mind and the heart, and you’re together for a long time, maybe hours. Some of my best conversations have been on the trail. Second, there are risks on the trail you don’t have when running on the road. Technical aspects like rocks and roots can easily bring spills, and you won’t necessarily be near help if anything goes wrong including an encounter with a rattlesnake, moose, or other wildlife. Trail running is time spent in the woods, so backcountry knowledge is a handy skill.

• Bring Enough Nutrition and Hydration

With trail running, proper nutrition and hydration are a must. Other than an injury, nothing wrecks a run quite like dehydrating or feeling the energy drain out of your legs. Invest in a hand-held water bottle and, as your runs grow longer, get a hydration vest. Experiment with different food to see what gives you energy and sits well in your stomach. The right nutrition and hydration level is very much an individual thing, and something you will have to learn about yourself.

• Follow Your Bliss

If you had a distance planned, but you’re in the zone: keep going. If you’re curious, explore. If you’re blown away by the scenery, stop and let it wash over you. If you’re tired, slow down or stop for a while to rest. This is not a track meet. This is you and nature, one on one. //

Brad Thiessen is Race Director for the Mountain Magic 5/10/25k Trail Run and Marathon, June 17 & 18 at Mt. Spokane State Park. Learn more at Mountainmagicrun.com.

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Runners, mountain bikers, triathletes, road bikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts will have renewed opportunities to train with the motivation and anticipation of a live, in-person event. Unfortunately, some long-standing events didn’t survive the pandemic, especially smaller events organized by non-profit organizations. We tried our best to find out which events were still alive for 2022, but, for some, specific dates have not been announced by organizers. Fingers crossed that some of them will continue on.

Registering and financially committing to an event is a great motivator to stick to a personal exercise and fitness routine. Cajole friends or family to join you, and train as a group in the weeks and months to come. Race and ride events also inspire travel to other regions around the Pacific Northwest. Meet locals and make new friends with adventure-minded folks in a new place.

Registration is available now for spring events, and many summer races have a May 1^st deadline or price discounts the earlier you register. Now . . . Ready, set, get out there and participate in an event or two! (Amy McCaffree)

Run, bike, & swim in the Inland NW: Coeur d’Alene Marathon (left), Photo: Negative Split // 24-hour mountain bike race at Riverside State Park (middle), Photo: Round and Round Productions. // Long Bridge Swim in Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho (right), Photo: Daryl Baird.

ROAD RUNNING

Spring Dash & Tot Trot (April 23): 5-mile Bloomsday second-seed qualifier race starts at Coeur d’Alene’s McEuen Park; includes Tot Trot (ages 10 and younger). Fundraiser for United Way of North Idaho.

Strides for Strong Bones Fun Run/Walk (TBA): 1-, 2-, or 3-mile “Awareness Walk” hosted by Emde Sports in Spokane. Proceeds benefit Washington Osteoporosis Coalition.

Lilac Bloomsday Run (May 1): 12k for runners, walkers, and wheelchair participants. In-person event returns, plus a virtual option that includes a new “Bloomsdog”—do a virtual run with your dog and get fun swag.

Windermere Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k, & 5k (May 15): Flat, point-to-point course along Spokane County’s Centennial Trail. Boston marathon qualifier, hosted by Negative Split. New this year is a 10k option, outdoor expo, and finish line in Riverfront Park.

T9 Mermaid Run 10k, 5k, & virtual (May 21): Hosted by Title 9 and Mermaid Series for women runners and walkers; includes a 1.5-mile Mermaid Dash for girls ages 6-12. Start/finish at Riverfront Park.

CANCELED – Moses Lake Spring Festival 10k & 5k (May 28)

Coeur d’Alene Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k, & 5k (May 29): Start/finish at McEuen Park in downtown Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Hosted by Negative Split.

Stache Dash 10k & 5k (June 4): For runners, walkers, and wheelchair participants, based at Plantes Ferry Park Park in Spokane Valley, Wash. Fundraiser for Elevations, a children therapy service-provider for special needs children.

Dad’s Day Dash (June 19): Family-friendly 5-mile run/walk on Father’s Day. Fundraiser for SNAP, a Spokane-based community action agency.

Metaline Falls Bigfoot 5K (June 25): Takes place in the historic town of Metaline Falls in Pend Oreille County, a city along the International Selkirk Loop scenic highway, during the Metaline Falls Bigfoot Festival.

Missoula Marathon, Half Marathon, & 5k (June 26): USATF-certified Boston Qualifier marathon course, with wheelchair and handcycle divisions. Includes a kids’ 1-mile untimed fun run. Sign up for the Big 3 Race Challenge, which includes completing a beer run on race weekend.

Spokane to Sandpoint Relay (July 22-23): A 200-mile overnight, 12-person relay team race starting from Mt. Spokane’s summit and running down to the Spokane river, along the Centennial Trail to Coeur d’Alene, and then north to the finish line at Sandpoint’s City Beach.

Wallace Huckleberry Festival 5k Walk/Run (August 20): Family-friendly run in Wallace, Idaho, with optional huckleberry pancake breakfast before or after.

Tase T. Lentil 5k Fun Run (August 20): A USATF-certified race to celebrate the National Lentil Festival in Pullman, Wash.

Newport Autumn Bloom 5k/10k Fun Run (Sept. 17): Takes place at TJ Kelly Park in Newport, Wash.; proceeds benefit Newport Hospital and Health Services Foundation programs. 

Run the Dam Half Marathon, 10k, & 5k (Sept. 17): Run across Grand Coulee Dam and along Banks Lake as part of the Harvest Festival in the City of Grand Coulee, Wash.

Deutschesfest 10k/5k Fun Run (Sept. 17-18): German community festival in Odessa, Wash., includes parade, fun run, brats, brews, and more.

Inland Relay (Sept. 24): A brand new 46-mile relay for 2022 created by NxNW Relays. Grab some friends and take turns running 10 legs through the Channeled Scablands near Cheney to a brewery finish in Spokane.

Valleyfest 5k/10k (Sept. 26): Bloomsday Second Seed qualifier races that start/finish at the Plantes Ferry Sports Complex in Spokane Valley, Wash.

Leavenworth Marathon & Half Marathon (Oct. 1): Course starts near the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area and goes along dirt roads and trails, including Icicle Canyon Loop and riverfront trails in Leavenworth, Wash.

Jackass Half Marathon & 5K (Oct. 1): Point-to-point course from Wallace to Kellogg, Idaho, along the paved Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. Hosted by Silver Valley Chamber.

Spokane Marathon, Half Marathon, & 10k (Oct. 9): Proceeds from this Boston Marathon Qualifier race benefit local high school cross-country programs. The 10k is a Bloomsday second-seed qualifier.

Monster Dash 5k & Kids’ Fun Run (Oct. 30): Organized by Active4Youth in collaboration with the Spokane Swifts Running Team, this event at Manito Park includes a 5k adult race and kids’ race (ages 12 and younger); jogging strollers and dogs allowed.

Halloween Hustle Half Marathon, 10k, & 5k (Oct. 30): New event in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, organized by Negative Split includes out-and-back creepy courses.

Coeur d’Alene Marathon starting line (right) and along the course (left); The Split Half Marathon & 5k race course starts in Kendall Yards in downtown Spokane (middle top) and goes across the Spokane River and through Riverfront Park (middle bottom). // All photos courtesy Negative Split.

TRAIL RUNNING

Caveman Roar & Pour 5k Trail Fun Run (April 23): Run through the Cave B Winery, in Quincy, Wash., overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. Wine tasting event afterwards.

Yakima Skyline Rim 50K (April 23) & 25K (April 24): Challenging out-and-back course in the high desert of the Yakima River Canyon outside Ellensburg, Wash.

Spokane River Run (April 24): 5k, 10k, 25k, 50k, and 50k team relay race at Riverside State Park; fundraiser for Garfield Elementary A.P.P.L.E. program.

Wenatchee Valley Trail Run Series (April 28, June 2, Oct. 20): Organized by RunWenatchee, this three-race series includes Horse Lake Trail runs in the Wenatchee Foothills, April 28 (half-marathon, 7-mile, 5-mile); Red Devil Trail runs near Cashmere, June 2 (50k, 25k, 10k); and Oktoberfest trail runs at Leavenworth Ski Hill, Oct. 20 (10-mile, 5-mile, & kids’ race).

Sunflower Trail Marathon, Half Marathon, & Relay (April 30): Run on single-track trails and gravel roads in Washington’s Methow Valley on a point-to-point course from Mazama to Twisp.

Run Like the Wind Running Festival (May 7): 5k, 10k, or 10-miler along the trails, paths, and roads at the Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility in Ellensburg, Wash.; benefits Kittitas County Search and Rescue.

Priest Lake Spring Festival Half Marathon, 10k, & 5k (May 29): Run along the lakeshore at beautiful Priest Lake. Event is based in Coolin, Idaho (west side of lake); includes a free 1k Kids’ Dash (with 50 and 600 yard distance options) for ages 8 and younger.

Palouse Road Runners Summer Series (June-August): Run club in Moscow, Idaho, hosts a series of races; runners score points based on finishing place. Prizes for top male and female, highest series point totals.

Hiawatha Trail Run (June 12): First event in the “Back to Nature” series organized by Negative Split; includes 10k, 15k, 25k, and 50k timed runs along North Idaho’s Scenic Hiawatha Trail.

Mountain Magic 5/10/25k Trail Run (June 18): After a 2-year hiatus, this event returns to Mount Spokane State Park. Race is hosted by OutLive, a Spokane non-profit organization that helps cancer survivors build healthy and meaning-filled lives by getting active outdoors and connected to others.

Race the Wolf Ultramarathon & Trail Race (June 25-26): Takes place at Schweitzer in Sandpoint, Idaho. Saturday race options include an 8k and—new this year—the Sky Climb, an off-piste, 1 vertical mile “climb” with 1,660+ elevation gain. Sunday includes the 52k ultramarathon and 26k races. Part of The GRIT North Idaho trail run series organized by Priest Lake Multisports. (GRIT: acronym for Go Run Idaho Trails.)

Spokatopia Trail Run & Trail Running Clinic (July 9): A 5k group run on the singletrack trails at Camp Sekani Park at the annual Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival. $25 race fee includes a festival demo pass for bikes and paddlesports, plus a headband. Adult beverage garden and live music all day long.

Kaniksu Trail Runs (July 10-12): Six events over the course of three days in the Colville National Forest at Frater Lake near Ione, Wash., organized by Kaniksu Ultras include a 50-Miler (new course), the Emory Corwine Memorial Ruck Race (ruck team relay and solo option), Sweet 50k, Tall Trees 29k, Herman’s Half-ish, and The Frater Round.

Dig Your Grave (July 30): A rugged, raw and remote 42k single-track run in the Cabinet Mountains. The course is an out and back with significant climbing, minimal aid, and amazing views. Part of The GRIT North Idaho trail run series organized by Priest Lake Multisports.

Tartarus Backyard Ultra (July 30): Hosted by Kaniksu Ultras at Riverside State Park Camp 7; described as a “Last Person Standing” race for runners and “ruckers.”

The “Original” Bare Buns Fun Run (July 31): Clothing-optional 5k trail run/walk at the Kaniksu Ranch Family Nudist Park near Loon Lake, Wash.

Silver Mountain Trail Run (August 21): Second race in Negative Split’s “Back to Nature” series. Ride the gondola at Silver Mountain Resort to the start line for 18k, 9k, and 6k courses.

Smokechaser Race (Sept. 10): 30k and 5-mile courses start from Priest Lake State Park, Lionhead; part of The GRIT North Idaho trail run series organized by Priest Lake Multisports.

Moscow Mountain Madness Half Marathon & 5-Mile (Sept. TBA): Challenging course along technical single-track and logging roads. Hosted by Palouse Road Runners in Moscow, Idaho.

Mt. Spokane Trail Run (Sept. 10): This final event in Negative Split’s “Back to Nature” series has three scenic course options, including a 25k, that start and finish at Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park’s main lodge.

Happy Girls Run Spokane (Sept. 17): Choose from half marathon, 10k or 5k courses through the beautiful trails of Riverside State Park and along the Spokane River. Legendary swag, great food and cocktails at race end, and a welcoming vibe for women of all fitness levels.

Priest Lake Marathon, Half Marathon, & 50k Ultra Marathon (Oct. 1): Wilderness trail run in the Panhandle National Forest. Walkers welcome, excluding ultra. Part of The GRIT North Idaho trail run series organized by Priest Lake Multisports.

Wild Moose Chase Trail Run (Oct. 16): 25k, 10k, and 5k trail runs at Riverside State Park hosted by Eastern Washington University’s Class of 2021 Doctor of Physical Therapy program students.

Sekani Trail Run 10k & 5k (Oct. 23): Adventure run/hike/walk on trails at Camp Sekani in Spokane; fundraiser for Franklin Elementary School’s A.P.P.L.E. program.

Fall Flask 10k Race & 5k Fun Run (Nov. TBA): Course is a combination of paved and gravel roads and rolling hills of the Palouse countryside. Hosted by Palouse Road Runners, based in Moscow, Idaho.

Sekani Trail Run (left top and bottom), Photos: Chris Thompson, courtesy Sekani Trail Run // Running in the Wenatchee Foothills (top right), Photo: Steve Maher // Spokane River Run (right middle) // Photo: Ammi Midstokke // Mountain Magic Trail Run at Mount Spokane State Park (bottom middle), Photo courtesy of Brad Thiessen.

ROAD CYCLING

Bike Everywhere Challenge (May 1-31): Organized by the Spokane Bicycle Club, schedule of events includes group trail rides, a Ride of Silence memorial, pancake breakfast at Riverfront Park, and end-of-month celebration at Manito Park.

Lilac Century & Family Fun Ride (May 22): Ride distance options include Century (100 miles), Metric Century (66 miles), 50 miles, 25 miles, 15 miles, and a 12-mile Family Fun Ride on the Children of the Sun Bike Trail. Organized by Spokane Aurora Northwest Rotary Club.

CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo Ride (June 18): A scenic ride—not a race—starting from City Beach in Sandpoint, Idaho, and riding along Lake Pend Oreille into Montana. Route options include 150, 100, 80, 40, or 30 miles, and a family fun ride. Organized by Sandpoint Rotary; all entry fee proceeds support Pend Oreille School District’s autism and after-school reading and literacy program.

Spokane Summer Parkways (June 21): This summer solstice community event is back live! Bikers, pedestrians, and skaters (and any other human-powered transportation, no e-scooters) can leisurely enjoy a 4-mile route in the South Hill Manito and Comstock neighborhoods. Family-friendly and great for all ages. Streets closed to vehicular traffic, 6-9 p.m..

Cycle Chelan (June 25): Route for every rider with four options, including Century Challenge (100 miles), new Lake Loop (50 miles), Cycle di Vino (30 miles), or the new Butte Blast—a gravel ride on Chelan Butte, with a 15 or 30 mile option (E-bikes welcome). Presented by Lake Chelan Rotary Club.

Okanagan Granfondo (July 10): Ride through the heart of British Columbia’s Okanagan wine country. 4 distance options; start/finish in city of Penticton, B.C. Open to recreational, elite, and pro cyclists

8 Lakes Leg Aches (July 16): Back to in-person after going virtual last year. Choose between 30-, 45-, and 75-mile routes, with the longest one touring around all eight lakes. Proceeds benefit Spokane-based Lutheran Community Services Northwest.

Tour de Whatcom (July 23): Ride distance options include Century (100 miles), Metric Century (62 miles), 44 miles, or 22 miles. Start/finish in downtown Bellingham, Wash., at Boundary Bay Brewery.

Spokane Valley Cycle Celebration (July 31): Organized by ValleyFest, route options include a 10-mile “Family-Friendly” ride, 25-mile “Adventure Ride,” and 50-mile “Hills Around the Valley.”

SpokeFest (September TBA): Virtual last year; 2022 details TBA. Based in Kendall Yards, event includes Spokane Falls 9-mile Loop, 21-mile River Loop, and a Half Century (50 miles).

Apple Century Bike Ride (Sept. 10): Tour the Wenatchee Valley area with a 100-, 50-, or 25-mile fully-supported ride. Hosted by Wenatchee Sunrise Rotary Club.

Mt. Baker Hill Climb (Sept. 11): 22 miles, with 4,462’ elevation climb, along Mt. Baker Highway. Timed race but two divisions—Social and Recreational—are for non-competitive racers.

WaCanId Selkirk Loop Ride (Sept. 12-17): A six-day ride over 370 miles on one of the most scenic routes in the Northern Rockies. Because route includes two international border crossings (between U.S. and Canada), check WaCanId.org for event updates.

CDA Fondo (Sept. 17): Fun ride—not a race—along Lake Coeur d’Alene, organized by Negative Split with new courses. Distance options include Gran Fondo (119 miles), Medio Fondo (91 miles), Centro Fondo (54 miles), Piccolo Fondo (49 miles), and Family Fondo (14 miles).

RIM Ride (Sept. 17-18): “Rotary in Motion” 5-mile family bike ride on Saturday, followed by 15, 25, 50, and 100-mile rides on Sunday; hosted by the Rotary Club of Liberty Lake, Wash.

Bike MS—Cycle the Silver Valley (Sept. 24-25): Fundraiser for National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Ride along the paved Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, starting from Kellogg, Idaho.

Lilac Century in Spokane (top left), Photo courtesy Spokane Aurora Northwest Rotary Club. // Riding across Long Bridge in Sandpoint for Chafe 150 Ride (top right), Photo courtesy Sandpoint Rotary Club. // Lilac Century & Family Fun Ride event in Spokane (left middle), Photo courtesy Spokane Aurora Northwest Rotary Club. // Okanagan Granfondo in B.C., Canada (left bottom), Photo courtesy VFGFAMO. // Ride during Valleyfest 2017 (bottom right), Photo: Myk Crawford, courtesy Valleyfest.

MOUNTAIN BIKING/GRAVEL RIDES

Gran Fondo Races—Central Washington (March-Sept): Ephrata (March 20), Goldendale (April 10), Leavenworth (May 29), Ellensburg (June 12), and Winthrop (Sept. 17); organized by Rideviciouscycle.com.

Washington Student Cycling League—Spring League (March-June): Co-ed mountain biking development program and spring race series for riders in grades 6-12, beginners through advanced, organized by the non-profit Washington Student Cycling League. School-based and composite teams, with high school and middle divisions. Individuals can also participate and compete as Independent Rider. Volunteer coaches are encouraged to start new teams.

Evergreen East—Classes & Clinics (April-Sept.): Eastern Washington Chapter of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance hosts Mountain Bike Foundations classes starting in April, with sessions during either weekends or weeknights, and some women-only beginner sessions. Freeride Classes also offered at the new Beacon Hill Bike Park in addition to kids’ programs. Classes are located at Camp Sekani unless otherwise noted.

Wednesday MTB Race Series at Riverside State Park (May 4-June 29): For eight consecutive Wednesday evenings this popular annual event features a different weekly race course, 7-11 miles per lap. Free entry for age 18 and younger. More details and register online.

3/4 Minus Cykeltur (May 7): Timed gravel grinder in Sandpoint, Idaho, hosted by Syringa Cyclery offers two course options, 52 and 76 miles.

Idaho Interscholastic Cycling League (May-October): Race series for youth in grades 6-12.

24 Hours of Riverside (May 28-29): Reintroduction of the popular Memorial Day weekend 24-hour MTB team relay at Riverside State Park—now organized by Co-Race Directors Eric Ewing and Patrick Bulger. Can also compete as a solo rider. Race is noon-Saturday to noon-Sunday. Registration fee includes 2 nights of camping and all meals. Register online.

Mt. Spokane Mountain Bike Skills Day Camps (June-August): Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park will again host Mountain Bike Skills Day Camps (4-day sessions) to teach technical riding skills, flat-tire fixing, and trail maintenance. Sessions tailored for beginners and all levels (ages 7-15) as well as advanced riders (ages 10-17); includes daily bike games and trail-riding.

Evergreen East—Youth Camps (June-July): Evergreen East — the Eastern Washington Chapter of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance — hosts co-ed five-day Dirt Camps for Youth (ages 8-13), including a Girls-Only session, at Beacon Hill Bike Park in Spokane, Wash.

North American Enduro Cup (June 10-12): Silver Mountain Bike Park in Kellogg, Idaho, hosts one of the North American races that qualifies for the Enduro World Series. Registration already sold out for 2022—be a spectator!

Okanagan Graveller Stage Race (June 18-19): New cycling event in British Columbia, Canada, hosted by the organizers of the Okanagan Granfondo. Event based at Big White Ski Resort.

Northwest Cup (July 15-17): Silver Mountain Bike Park hosts one of the stops for this race series, for ages 5+.

Blue Goose Chase (July TBA): A free 11-mile family bicycle ride in the Little Pend Oreille (LPO) National Wildlife Refuge, along the gravel auto tour route, to support the non-profit Friends of the LPO.

Smoke ‘n’ Fire 400 (September 7): Self-supported approx. 400-mile loop bikepacking ride, with almost 41,000 feet of climbing. Ride begins and ends in Boise, Idaho, at Hyde Park.

Silverroxx Mountain Bike Festival (September 23-25): Hosted by Silver Mountain Resort, this festival includes group downhill and super-d races, plus kids’ events.

The Gravel Flamdangle (Oct. 2): Formerly known as the Dirty Spokanza, Spokane’s premier weird-fest gravel race is going legit this year, complete with permits, insurance and entry fees. Three routes out of the Big Barn Brewery include the 93-mile Major Devastation Route, the 62-mile Minor Devastation Route, and the not-to-be-scoffed-at 32-mile Group W Route. The winner has to buy the tacos!

Inland Northwest Cyclocross Series (Oct.-Nov.): USA Cycling series organized by Emde Sports includes divisions for women, men, pros, masters, and junior boys and girls at various race venues in eastern Washington.  

The 24-hour mountain bike team relay event at Riverside State Park returns in 2022 — now called 24 Hours of Riverside (photos: left, right), Photos courtesy of race organizers. // Evergreen East Youth MTB Dirt Camp in Spokane (top middle), Photo courtesy Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance – Eastern Washington Chapter. // Racing at Silver Mountain Bike park in Kellogg, Idaho (bottom middle), Photo courtesy Silver Mountain Resort.

TRIATHLON/SWIMMING/PADDLING/WATERSPORTS

Leadman Triathlon (April 23): Organized by Kellogg Rotary Club and based at Silver Mountain Resort, this adventure course event for solo or team competitors begins on Kellogg Peak and includes skiing/snowboarding, mountain biking, and running.

Ski to Sea (May 29): A multi-sport relay adventure race in Bellingham, Wash., with teams of 3-8 people. Starts at Mt. Baker Ski Area and finishes in Bellingham Bay. Includes cross-country and downhill skiing/snowboarding, road and cyclocross biking, canoeing, downhill running, and sea kayaking.

FlowTour Surfing Competition at Silver Rapids Water Park (June 4-5): Silver Mountain Resort hosts a stop on the FLOW Tour, organized by FlowRider.

Medical Lake Trailblazer Tri/Du/5k (June 18): Sprint distance triathlon with 350-meter swim, 12.2-mile bike, and 2.9-mile run; Duathlon with 1mile run, 12.2mile bike, and 2.9-mile run; and 5k Fun Run. Teams welcome. Starts from Coney Island Park in Medical Lake, Wash.

Ironman 70.3 Coeur d’Alene (June 26): “Half” Ironman race based at City Park in downtown Coeur d’Alene includes 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and 13.1-mile run.

Spokatopia Watersports Demos (July 9): Try out various paddling watercraft, including kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, or take a kayaking or canoe clinic or group paddle on the Spokane River as part of the Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival at Boulder Beach, off Upriver Drive (northeast Spokane).

Tiger-Tri & Tiger-Du (July 16): Hosted by City of Colville Parks & Recreation and Negative Split—Tri (1k swim, 40k bike, 10k run) and Du (40k bike & 10k run). Starts at Beaver Lodge at Lake Gillette; finish line at Dean Vaagen Memorial Park.

Long Bridge Swim (August 6): A 1.76-mile swim race across Lake Pend Oreille, aside Sandpoint, Idaho’s iconic Long Bridge.

Tri-Town Float Down Poker Paddle (August 6-7): Paddle the Pend Oreille River from the town of Ione to Metaline Falls, Wash. Win prizes along the way. Organized by North Pend Oreille County Chamber of Commerce to help local veterans and cancer patients.

Swim the Snake (August 13): An open water swim, kayak, or stand-up paddle across the Snake River channel between Lyons Ferry State Park and Lyons Ferry Marina near the town of Starbuck, Wash. Fundraiser for Blue Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Council and local youth summer swim teams.

Coeur d’Alene Triathlon & Duathlon (August 13): Choose between Sprint Tri (500m swim, 13-mile bike, 5k run), Olympic Tri (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run), or duathlon (5k run, 40k bike, 10k run). Event based at CDA City Park and Beach.

Priest Lake Triathlon (August 27): Choose between a Sprint Off-Road Triathlon or the new Sprint Road Bike Course, which replaces the previous Olympic distance race option. Compete individually or as a team relay; start/finish near Hill’s Resort.

Diamond Tri Your Best Triathlon (Sept. 10): Event aims to inspire young people to be more physically active. Takes place at the Cowles Scout Reservation in Diamond Lake, Wash. SuperSprint is for ages 12-15 and includes a 200-yard swim, 6-mile bike, and 1.5-mile trail run. Sprint Tri, ages 16+, is a 400-yard swim, 12-mile bike, and 3-mile trail run. Proceeds benefit Inland Northwest Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Valleyfest 5K/10K Duathlon & Triathlon (Sept. 26): All races start and finish at Plantes Ferry Sports Complex in Spokane Valley, Wash. Duathlon includes 5k run, 11-mile bike, 5k run; Triathlon is boat/bike/run—paddle 1.5 miles (canoe or kayak) on Spokane River, bike 11 miles, run 3 miles. Individual and 2-3 person teams allowed for du and tri events.

Canoe leg during the Ski to Sea team relay race in Bellingham, Wash. (top left), Photo: Ski to Sea. // Open water swimming in Lake Pend Oreille (top right), Photo: Long Bridge Swim. // Leadman Triathlon at Silver Mountain (middle right), Photo: Silver Mountain Resort. // Ride like this during the FlowTour Surfing Competition (bottom left), Photo: Lakeside Surf. // Swimming at Priest Lake (bottom right), Photo: Priest Lake Triathlon.

OUTDOORSY EVENTS

National Geographic Live!—“Untamed” with Filipe DeAndrade (March 9): Presentation by wildlife filmmaker/photographer and star of Nat Geo’s digital series “Untamed.”

Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show (March 17-20): Gear and resources for fishing and boating, hunting, backpacking, and shooting sports. Hosted by Inland Northwest Wildlife Council at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center.

Tundra Swan Festival (March 20): Seetundra swans and other birds return to the Calispell Lake in Pend Oreille County. Presentations and other festival events take place at Kalispel Casino in Cusick, Wash. 

Spokane Bike Swap (April 9): The biggest bike sale event of the year. Buy or sell used bikes and check out biking and outdoor recreation booths at the Spokane Fairgrounds. All proceeds benefit local cycling-related non-profit projects.

Free Flowing Snake River Presentation By Trout Unlimited (April 26): An evening with Trout Unlimited President Chris Wood talking about a path forward to save endangered Snake River salmon and steelhead, sponsored by Spokane Falls Trout Unlimited.

National Geographic Live!—“Improbable Ascent” with Maureen Beck (May 18): Presentation by one-handed rock climber and world paraclimbing champion.

Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival (July 9): Learn about Inland NW outdoor recreation groups, parks, businesses, and bike and gear shops and participate in fun outdoor activities at Spokane’s Camp Sekani Park. Event includes live music, bike jump show, bike shuttles, kayak and paddleboard demos, adult beverage garden, and children’s activities.

Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area—Mountain Archery Festival (July 9-11): Ride a chairlift to the summit and walk downhill to access multiple archery courses. Prize drawings and special evening activities. Limited number of RV/tent camping spots available.

Top Pin Archery (July 24-26): Family-friendly archery competition on the backside of Silver Mountain in Kellogg, Idaho, that includes navigating through a course of prop target-animals.

Watch riders fly through the air like this at the Spokatopia MTB Jump Jam on July 9 at Camp Sekani Park (top left), Photo: Skye Schillhammer. // Spokatopia watersports demo at Spokane River’s Boulder Beach (top right), Photo: Rachel Becker // Bike demos with gear from Spokane-area bike shops during Spokatopia (middle right), Photo: Rachel Becker. // Kayak paddling instruction at Boulder Beach during Spokatopia. // Photo: Rachel and Josh Photography

Originally published in the March-April 2022 print edition (starting on page 28). This online version includes revisions and updates, and a few additional events, and doesn’t include some events listed in the the print version that occurred during March-April and prior to this online post.

Editor’s Note: Did we miss your favorite race, ride, or outdoors event? Email amy@outthereventure.com and we will do our best to include it next year.

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After a two-year hibernation, Spokane Nordic Ski Association’s cross-country skiing celebration, Winterfest, is finally returning to the Mount Spokane State Park Nordic Ski Area on Sunday, January 16, 2022.

This annual event is the only day all year that Spokane Nordic offers its cross-country ski lessons to non-members, so it’s a great opportunity for new skiers to get a taste of what SNSA has to offer while learning a few of the basics. 45-minute lessons for kids and adults are only $10 and a 2-hour skijoring clinic is available for $25.

The event’s title sponsor, Rambleraven Gear Trader, will be on-site offering free waxing to all participants. There will also be a treasure hunt that encourages kids and families to get out on the trails on their own.

To learn more about the event or reserve your spot in a class, visit Spokanenordic.org/Winterfest.

Find stories about Nordic skiing in the OTO archives.

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Brad Thiessen

Brad is an avid runner with a special heart for trails and a deep respect for the people who manage them. He also skis Nordic at about an average pace. Ten years into Spokane life, he thinks it's an amazing place with a community of writers, musicians, and adventurers far out of proportion to its size, and that its passion for coffee and craft beer elevates it above most any place on earth.

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In early 2018, my cousin Laura, whom I had been getting to know recently through Facebook, mentioned she had signed up for the inaugural Lone Wolf trail race in Fernie, British Columbia in June.

The premise was intriguing: Every hour on the hour, all the racers leave together on a 4-mile loop. The next hour, everyone starts together again. If you didn’t finish the last loop in the appointed hour, you’re out of the race. The winner is the last person still at the starting line the last time the gun goes off. It was clear right away I had to sign up, and my running buddy Jack joined me.

Since winning was not a reasonable goal, the question became, How many loops can I pull off? The website called it a “runnable” course. Some quick math guaranteed at least a 20-minute break each hour, and my goal grew from eight loops to 10, to 12, then to, This could be my first 50-miler!

The email from the organizers a week beforehand announced the location as the trailhead to the Nordic ski area. Great! I thought. Cross-country ski trails are fairly flat, so my goals should be on track.

Saturday morning, 78 of us lined up facing those flattish Nordic trails, took off, and took a sharp right. We continued through a parking lot, across a footbridge, and up—not up a wide Nordic ski trail, mind you, but up singletrack. Almost 80 people jammed single file onto the trail, moving uphill at a slow jog that often slowed to a hands-on-knees trudge in the morning fog that was threatening to thicken to rain.

As we snaked up the mountain that first lap, there was lively chatter, mostly echoing my goals. “How far do you think you’ll go?” asks one person. “I was thinking 60 miles,” says another. “I’m aiming for 100,” brags a third. You practically had to swat the optimism aside just to see the trail in front of you.

Our collective enthusiasm waned as we realized Fernie has its own alternate dictionary, where “runnable” means a sometimes slick, root-riddled course that heads up a relentless 720 feet for 2 miles, then shoves you another 720 feet downhill. The fact that you reverse direction each time doesn’t much help.

By the end of the second loop, the goal of running my first 50-miler was tossed onto the heap of future dreams. I soon found a 10-minute break between loops was the minimum needed to gather enough energy for the next loop, so speed was crucial. This meant getting a fast start off the line—on the third lap, I got caught in a slow group and almost missed the cutoff.

The biggest struggle was staying upright. On loop five, I flew off the end of a switchback and into the jagged arms of a felled tree, gifting me with a nasty gash on my lower arm that should have had stitches. The resulting scar is now a permanent reminder of my day on the Fernie trails.

I still made the cutoff time for the sixth loop. Even if that round went past an hour, I was guaranteed 24 miles. Instead, I called it quits. I settled for 20 miles, with only a slight pause. Laura did the same and she, too, had no regrets about stopping.

Around midnight, Jack and I watched the final competitors go through the same process. One by one, those who made the cutoff decided not to start the next loop until it was down to two, and the winner was the one who chose to run that last loop. The last guy who stopped was happy to drink his complimentary beer and drape the second-place wood medallion over his neck.

There seemed to be a shared sense among many of us on the trail that we knew when our time was up—we’d logged enough miles and entered enough races to knows there would be plenty of other great trails ahead. //

Brad Thiessen’s trail running goals include directing the June 22 Mountain Magic 5/10/25K run on Mt. Spokane. He last wrote about Nordic skier Trevin Hansen in the February issue.

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The Nordic skiing began at age 7, and it wasn’t smooth sailing from the first outing. In fact, his mother Amanda recalls it took a half-dozen tries for Trevin to tolerate it, and even longer before he could head out on skis with his father Jon without standing “like a wet noodle” before falling over—sometimes by accident, but often on purpose—and rolling around in the snow.

Thinking back, she recalls, “The first time he went downhill standing up at age 13 was a GREAT day!  Previously he’d squat down on his skis, which works well and it’s wonderful to see him develop caution, but we knew he was physically capable of standing up to go down the hills.”

Everyone has personal goals when they’re on the trails. At the Mt. Spokane Cross-Country Ski Park, the first challenge for the beginner is to reach Trail Junction One, followed by Junction Two. A ways further is the Nova Hut, a common rest stop appreciated for the warmth of its log stove.

Not surprisingly, Trevin’s goals don’t necessarily align with the ones others might set. Who needs a snack break or warm up at the Nova Hut? With what Trevin’s mother affectionately calls his “abundant energy,” his usual goal is to race as quickly as possible to Junction 2 and back, with no stopping for photos, please. As Amanda says with understatement, “Waiting is not his strong suit.”

One of the biggest barriers for any Nordic skier in Spokane is getting their gear together and making the one-hour trek up the mountain to the ski park. That was no less the case in the early years for Trevin, Amanda, and Jon. Because of Trevin’s love of skiing as well as the tremendous physical and emotional benefits it offered, the family bought a condo on Mt. Spokane in 2011 when he was 9 and had been skiing for two years.

Despite his love of skiing, Trevin still has a hard time getting out on the trail some days. Like others with autism, transitions between activities can be difficult. But since he’s rarely sitting still, he usually makes it onto the trail eventually for what he calls his “exercise.”

Overall, Amanda sees Nordic skiing as an excellent way for Trevin to participate in the world outside his sheltered space at home, particularly because he is functionally non-verbal. Being out on the trail is good both for him and for the general public. “His presence is what we like to call ‘autism ambassadorship,’” Amanda says.  “People, given the opportunity to learn through exposure, are generally very understanding of those who experience the world differently, but without that exposure it’s human nature to be leery of the ‘other.’”

Now you can catch Trevin on the trail most weekends, whooping it up and probably speeding past you. Just don’t expect him to stop for a chat. He’s got places to go. And fast. //

Brad Thiessen is an avid runner and Nordic skier. He last wrote about Nordic skiing as cross-training in the December edition.

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If your family is completely new to cross-country skiing, “start with the goal to have fun and learn the fundamentals,” Thiessen advises. All Nordic skiing is cross-country skiing. The two styles include classic (traditional kick-glide technique) and skate-skiing (what you see in Olympic racing). Nordic skis are very skinny compared to downhill skis, and boot heels do not attach to bindings.

“You can use cross-country skiing as a way to enjoy the scenery. But you can take a lesson and learn good form and use the experience as an athletic pursuit, and get more out of the cross-country ski time,” he says. “SNSA’s Nordic Kids program is geared towards having fun. Some kids will do it for the thrill of it, some do it for the social aspect—that’s how the program’s designed—and instructors realize that.” Kids as young as 4 and 5 years old join Nordic Kids, and Thiessen has even seen kids as young as three start learning. For adults, he says, “One lesson is a great start.”

The Foleys are a relatively new Nordic ski family. Originally from the Seattle area, this is their 12 winter in Spokane. “When we moved here, we said, we’ve got to find a way to make winter work—we can’t be in the house for four months,” says Brooke Foley. She and her husband, Sam, would rent gear and ski occasionally. “We didn’t buy our own equipment until we had kids and decided it was going to be our family sport.”

Last season their older daughter, at age 5, learned how to ski with the Nordic Kids program. Having those Saturday afternoon lessons “gave us focus and purpose during the winter to get us outdoors. And we were spending time together,” Brooke says. “It felt good and healthy, and it’s a nice and easy family sport.” Their younger daughter, now 4, will now join Nordic Kids this season (one parent will accompany during lessons). “It’s a low-stress sport—low-cost and low-risk—so it’s really accessible,” she says. “Compared to downhill skiing, it’s so much cheaper. Sam used to snowboard until he was sidelined by injury. Cross-country skiing is a lifetime sport.”

Heather Ritchie agrees. After she had to hang-up her snowboard due to a severe shoulder injury, her family started to Nordic ski together, which is something her family did together growing up. While Heather’s husband, Gordon, and their daughter continue as downhill skiers, their time at Mt. Spokane also includes its cross-country ski trails. “Skate skiing hooked me as an adult, and Gordon, as a downhill skier, is excited by the challenge and adrenaline of skating.” Their daughter has been in Nordic Kids for two winters so far.

Foley says her advice for families new to Nordic is, “Even if you go up to the mountain, and it doesn’t work out, it’s still beautiful and a nice place to be.” She also looks forward to the chance to get out of town and play in the snow. “It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors in the snow while getting good exercise,” says mom Kari Dykhouse, who cross-country skis with her children, ages 5 and 3. “It’s also so peaceful—you can talk while you ski or just enjoy the scenery. My kids even put on their skis and go out in the backyard. Sometimes they get frustrated if conditions aren’t just right, but it teaches them some grit and gives them a good way to stretch their bodies.” //

Amy McCaffree is special section editor and contributed to last issue’s Holiday Guide. She literally loves everything about Inland Northwest winters. Follow her family’s outdoor adventures at facebook.com/AmyOutdoorsSpokane or instagram.com/adventure_amy_spokane.

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