If you’ve been missing runs or rides with other humans this past year, things are looking up for 2021. While many races, fun runs, and rides are still only offering virtual events (that can still be completed with your own friends or family), there are quite a few live events in Spokane and North Idaho with some level of COVID safety mitigation planned this year. Sign up for one or more and get outside, be safe, and run, walk, and ride together!
ROAD RUNNING
St. Paddy’s Five Miler (March 20): Spokane run with multiple start wave options over a single morning. Includes live and virtual race options.
Spring Dash & Tot Trot (April 17-30): The 5-mile race is virtual for 2021 and will raise funds via United Way of Idaho for those in our communities who are: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE). Tot Trot (ages 10 and younger).
Negative Split Half Marathon, 10k, and 5k (April 18): New flatter course through Kendall Yards, Riverfront Park, and along the Spokane River. Multiple wave live start and virtual options.
Lilac Bloomsday Run (April 30-May 9): 12k for runners, walkers, and wheelchair participants. Worldwide virtual race.
Windermere Marathon, Half Marathon, & 5k (May 16): Organized by Negative Split, the flat, net negative course along the Centennial Trail is a Boston marathon qualifier. Multiple wave live start and virtual race options.
Coeur d’Alene Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k & 5k (May 30): Organized by Negative Split, event is based at McEuen Park and course goes along the North Idaho Centennial Trail. Multiple wave live start and virtual race options.
Priest Lake Spring Festival Run (May 30): Celebrate spring at Priest Lake with half marathon, 10k, 5k, and Kids Dash distances on a mix of pavement and compact gravel. Race starts in Coolin, ID.
Wenatchee Valley Trail Run Series (May 8, June 5): Organized by RunWenatchee, this race series includes Horse Lake Trail Runs (25K, 10m, 5m); and Red Devil Challenge Trail Runs (50K, 25K, 10K).
Dad’s Day Dash (June 18-20): Event benefits SNAP, a Spokane-based community action agency, and includes a 5k or 1-mile events in celebration of Father’s Day. Multiple wave live start 6/20 and virtual race options.
Spokane to Sandpoint Relay (August 20-21): A 200-mile overnight, 12-person relay team race starting at Green Bluff, 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.
Newport Autumn Bloom 5k/10k Fun Run (Sept. TBA): TJ Kelly Park Newport, Wash.; proceeds benefit Newport Hospital and Health Services Foundation programs.
Deutschesfest 5k/10k Fun Run (Sept. 18): Celebrate Odessa, Washington’s tribute to everything German by burning off some brats and beer.
Numerica Happy Girls Run Spokane – Half Marathon, 10k, & 5k (Sept. 18): For women of all ages and abilities, based at Spokane’s Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute.
Sandpoint Scenic Half Marathon & 10k (Sept. 19): This race gets its name for a reason, with a start/finish at City Beach in beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho. 5k kids run.
Hayden Lake Marathon (Oct. 16): Start/finish at Hayden Lake’s Honeysuckle Beach; full marathon goes completely around the lake on hilly, challenging forest roads.
TRAIL RUNNING
Spokane River Run (April 16-25): Recognized in the Trail Runner’s Trophy Series, this race features a 5K, 10K, 25K, 25K Challenge, 50K and 50K team relay race. Fundraiser for Garfield Elementary A.P.P.L.E. program. All races are virtual in 2021.
Kaniksu 50-Mile / Emory Corwine Memorial Ruck Race / Tall Trees 29k (June 12): Three events in one day in the Colville National Forest at Frater Lake near Ione, Wash.
Mountain Magic 5k, 10k, & 25k Trail Run and Mountain Magic Trail Marathon (June 26): Mt. Spokane State Park’s Nordic ski trails; funds benefit OutLive, a Spokane-based organization that helps cancer survivors become more active outdoors.
Race the Wolf 52k, 26k, & 8k (June 27): Includes single-track and off-piste climbs at Schweitzer Mountain Resort.
Smokechaser Race (Sept. 11): 30k and 5-mile course starts from Priest Lake State Park, Lionhead; organized by Priest Lake Multisports.
Sekani Trail Run 5k & 10k (Sept. 26): Adventure run/hike/walk on trails at Camp Sekani in Spokane; fundraiser for Franklin Elementary School’s A.P.P.L.E. program. Planning for live, may change to virtual.
ROAD CYCLING
Lilac Century Family Fun Bike Ride and Ride/5K Run event (May 16): Five tour lengths for all levels of riders. Proceeds benefit local charities supported by the Spokane Aurora Northwest Rotary Club. Start/finish at Creekside Elementary School, in Mead, Wash.
8 Lakes Leg Aches (May 30-June 5): Virtual event in 2021. Route option is rider’s choice, from around the block, rural roads, favorite trail, your living room on a trainer, or one of the 8 Lakes routes. Proceeds benefit Spokane-based Lutheran Community Services Northwest.
Silver Valley Ride to Defeat ALS (June 19): Virtual event. Ride solo or with a team to raise funds to fight Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Spokane Valley Cycle Celebration (July 25): 10-mile Family-Friendly Ride, 25-mile Adventure, and 50-mile Hills Around the Valley Ride; free registration for ages 12 and younger. North Centennial Trailhead, Spokane Valley. Benefits Valleyfest Children’s; Foundation.
CHAFE 150 (Sept. 11): Popular Gran Fondo scenic ride that starts from Sandpoint’s City Beach and goes along Lake Pend Oreille into Montana’s Cabinet Mountain river valleys. Route mileage options: 150, 100, 80, 40, or 25-mile routes. Organized by Sandpoint Rotary supporting Pend Oreille School District’s literacy program.
RIM Ride (Sept. TBD): “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.
MOUNTAIN BIKING/GRAVEL GRINDERS
Hilly Nilly Gravel Series (TBA): Free, no-support, 20-40+ mile ride series on hilly courses, with a mix of paved and gravel roads. Organized by Trek Bicycle Store and Vertical Earth in Coeur d’Alene.
Hub-a-Palooza (April 16-18): Three-day mountain bike festival at Beacon Hill/Camp Sekani in Spokane, hosted by Velo Northwest; includes downhill races, four-stage Enduro race, and e-bike race categories.
North American Enduro Cup (June 11-13 or Sept. 24-26): Silver Mountain Bike Park in Kellogg, Idaho, qualifies for the Enduro World Series. 6 race stages and 6,000+ feet of climbing. 2021: New trails, race categories to include e-bikes on pro/expert course, more amateur age categories, cut-off times, and finish line festivities.
Mountain Bike Race Series at Farragut State Park (July 7, 14, 21, 28): Wednesday evening single-track race series at Farragut State Park, in Athol, Idaho, features different weekly courses, benefits Youth Mountain Bike Teams.
Ride the Passes (July TBA): Self-supported amazingly scenic, 60-mile ride goes over Lookout Pass, then along the Hiawatha Trail to Pearson and over Moon Pass before returning to Wallace. Organized by Trek Bicycle Store in Coeur d’Alene.
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.
MULTISPORT/WATERSPORTS
Leadman Triathlon (April 17): 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.
Troika Triathlon (May 29): Medical Lake’s Waterfront Park.
Long Bridge Swim (August 7): A 1.76-mile swim race across Lake Pend Oreille, along Sandpoint, Idaho’s iconic Long Bridge.
Priest River Sprints (August TBA): Paddling and rowing sprints (1k, 500m), relay race, and demonstrations. All experience levels. Priest River Recreation Area (Mudhole). Organized by the Pend Oreille Rowing and Paddling Association.
Priest Lake Triathlon (August 28): Swim, bike, run at Priest Lake; start/finish near Hill’s Resort.
Valleyfest Multi-Sport Sunday (Sept. 26): Enjoy some of the most scenic stretches of the Centennial Trail and Spokane River on a 5k or 10k run, duathlon, or triathlon in Spokane Valley. (OTO)
Editor’s Note: Did we miss your favorite race, ride, or outdoors event? Email derrick [at] outtheremonthly[dot]com and we will do our best to include it next year in an expanded 2022 Inland NW Race, Ride & Event Guide.
