By Peter Averill

SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2025 

May 4th was the annual Mt. Si Relay & Trail Runs in Snoqualmie, put on by our friends at Eastside Runners. This race, which has been around since 1983, also includes the marathon, 50k, and 50-mile ultras. LSRC members entered a team into the relay event, and our VP Daniel Bannon won the Half Marathon.

The relay is a 58-mile run, mostly on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail, with teams of five running two legs each. I took part along with Pam, Doug, Alan, and our leader Skye on team The Devil Wears Strava. My first leg was 6.4mi; I had the shortest total mileage, but the tradeoff was that the first 6mi were all uphill! (709ft gain). The setting was beautiful; a hard packed trail through forest, with two bridge crossings over ravines affording exceptional (if vertigo inducing) views. A runner ahead of me reported a bear sighting, but I missed that - I'm not sure if I should be relieved or disappointed. The route also took me past an active shooting range; it was good they forewarned about that!

My second leg was just 3.8mi, to the finish line, though it was hard to get legs that had stiffened up warmed up again for that.

We didn't really enter to be competitive, just to enjoy the event, but came 2nd in the mixed master's division. It was my first time running this kind of race. I went into it apprehensive about how the travelling and waiting around would be, but it was an enjoyable experience, with lots of socializing and changes of scenery at the various transfer points. It was nice to see a lot of familiar faces we hadn't seen in a while. I'd certainly do this again, and I recommend the event overall.