PORT ANGELES — The 2022 Run the Peninsula Series returns Saturday with the first event of the year, the fourth annual Elwha Bridge Run.
The Peninsula Daily News and Sequim Gazette are title sponsors of the 5K/10K race, while the presenting sponsors Olympic Medical Center and Elwha Klallam Tribe are presenting sponsors. The race is put on by the Port Angeles Marathon Association, which also organizes the Railroad Bridge Run in Sequim on April 23, the North Olympic Discovery Marathon on June 4-5, the Larry Scott Trail Run in Port Townsend on Oct. 15 and the Jamestown S’Klallam night run in Blyn on Dec. 3.
About 350 runners are expected to participate in the 5K and 10K races along the Olympic Discovery Trail in Port Angeles beginning at 9:30 a.m. Competitors will run or walk east on the trail beginning at the Elwha Bridge before the separate 5K and 10K turnaround points, then head back toward the finish line at the bridge.
The 5K turnaround is near where Stratton Road turns into Kacee Way, while the 10K turnaround is near the William R. Fairchild International Airport.
Proceeds from the event go to several local organizations, including the Peninsula Trails Coalition, which builds and maintains the ODT.
There will be no parking on the site. All parking will be at the Extreme Sports Park at 2917 W. Edgewood Dr., Port Angeles. Black Ball buses will begin running at 7:30 a.m. to shuttle people to the starting line. Participants can also be dropped off the west side of the Elwha Bridge in a designated “drop off area.”
The Elwha Bridge Run has a permit issued by Clallam County to control traffic at trail intersections with county roads, effectively giving pedestrians right-of-way for the race. The intersection of Lower Elwha Road, and Kacee Way will be controlled by the Port Angeles Marathon Association and motorists are advised to be prepared to stop at the intersection from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
There is still space available if people want to participate. Those interested can register at www.runthepeninsula.com. Registration will close at 6 p.m. Friday. People may be able to register onsite if space is still available.
People can email rtp@runthepeninsula.com with any questions.
