Race to the Top of Beacon Hill!
5K
1,000 Feet Up
As fast as you can…
The first annual Up Chuck Challenge trail run starts at Camp Sekani Park on the Up Chuck Trail for a fun, winding, nearly all singletrack hill climb to the top of Beacon Hill. The 5k course gains nearly 1,000 feet of total elevation, with a few dips, grunts, twists and turns to keep the mostly mellow and meandering racecourse interesting. The race is timed on the up only, with another 2.3 mile run or walk back to the start at Sekani Meadows where the 1st annual Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival will be underway (beer garden opens at 10:30 a.m.). Pick up your Up Chuck Challenge finishers bandana and stick around to enjoy a day of trying different outdoor sports like rock climbing, kayaking and stand up paddleboarding; bike demos; a mountain bike jump jam; entertainment and outdoor exhibitors. Please note that there will be no vehicle parking at the race start at Camp Sekani Park (see below). Race parking and shuttles will be available 1-mile to the east at Pasadena Elementary and there will be a bike corral at Sekani.
What: A fast, fun race to the top of Beacon Hill above the Spokane River. $20 registration before July 8 ($25 late registration) includes an Up Chuck Challenge finishers bandana and aid stations at the top of Beacon and at the bottom at Sekani Meadows. You’re on your own for the rest of the race, so plan accordingly for the summer heat.
When: 7:30-9 a.m. race check-in/late registration. 9:30 a.m. start.
Where: The race starts at Camp Sekani Park (aka Beacon Hill), on the Spokane River between Spokane Valley and downtown Spokane on Upriver Drive. Directions here. However, parking for the race will be at Pasadena Elementary 1-mile east on Upriver Drive. Park and walk/run/bike along the Centennial Trail to the race start at Camp Sekani or catch a shuttle van running every 15 minutes between the Pasadena parking lot and Camp Sekani. No vehicle parking will be available at Sekani, although there will be a big bike corral and cool outdoor prizes given away randomly to Up Chuck racers and festival goers who ride their bikes. Please plan ahead and ride your bike if you can!
More info: www.spokatopia.com
Register for the Up Chuck Challenge here.
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The Up Chuck Challenge Course
From camp Sekani, start on trail #30 (Up Chuck Trail) and slowly climb to the first summit. From here take trail #36 (Bastard Son). Now you get a little break from the climb and even a slight downhill on trail #24 (Disorderly Conduct), but remember you’re supposed to be running as fast as you can! From this point, the route heads straight uphill to the top. Once you reach the top, pat yourself on the back. You just ran 5k with around 1000′ of elevation gain! Click here to check out a map of the course.
