EDITOR’S NOTE: Updated to correct the distance of the run from 5 kilometers to 10 kilometers.
PORT ANGELES — It’s become a familiar question for Lorrie Mittman, Scott Tucker and Tim Tucker: Why don’t you bring back the Big Hurt?
“Every time I turned around, people were talking about this iconic event that happened in Port Angeles and was wildly successful and a big deal,” Tim Tucker said.
“It almost seemed kind of like the old salmon derbies. It had this mystique to it.”
Scott Tucker agreed.
“I put on the Northwest Cup downhill mountain bike races, and Lorrie and I work on putting on the Great Olympic Adventure Trail Run, but the most common thing we heard was, “You guys should put on the Big Hurt again,’” he said.
The trio listened and will relaunch the four-part test of endurance today in Port Angeles.
Established in 1997 and conducted annually through 2004, the Big Hurt, consisting of mountain bike, kayak, road bike and running legs, quickly grew from 65 competitors to more than 600 at its peak.
More than 100 competitors in four-person team and Iron (individual) divisions are expected at the race, which will resemble previous versions of the Big Hurt.
Team members switch at the beginning of each new leg of the race.
Competitors will begin at 10 a.m. above Port Angeles with a 16.5-mile mountain bike leg looping through a combination of dirt logging roads and single-track bike trail along the Foothills Trail and down through the city to Hollywood Beach.
Racers will then climb into kayaks for a 3-mile circuit of Port Angeles Harbor.
Competitors will then climb back onto a road bike for a 30-mile trip across the Elwha River Bridge, out to Freshwater Bay County Park and back to Port Angeles with a side trip through Eden Valley.
The race will end with a 10-kilometer out-and-back run starting and finishing at Hollywood Beach on the Olympic Discovery Trail.
“It seemed like The Big Hurt really represents and ties together what this area has to offer, in terms of mountains, trails, the sea and the road bike portion,” Tim Tucker said.
“The cool thing is how the downtown is tied into it and all the other events this weekend.
“From a community point of view, it’s all so close together.”
The area around Hollywood Beach is the best spectator vantage point, with all competitors transiting through the area for each separate leg.
The organizers expect the first individual competitor to finish around 2 p.m.
The Red Lion Hotel will host a beer garden with food and DJ music in its parking lot.
The Arts & Draughts Festival will be held nearby at Laurel and Front streets today, so organizers expect some migrating between the two spots.
“It should be a pretty festive environment,” Scott Tucker said.
The ability to remember past Big Hurt races may also draw spectators.
“There is some of that nostalgia,” Tim Tucker said.
“There will be lots of people who remember when this was an 600-person event, and they may know someone who competed the first time.
“And it’s a very local event, from the registrations. You’re going to know a lot of the people coming off the water, racing down the hill and running on the trail.
“And to be there for something that represents our area so well. People can say they were at that first one and maybe it will inspire them to compete in the future.”
Both Tuckers said they plan on working on a Big Hurt event for 2016.
“Ultimately, the goal would be to grow the Big Hurt to around 500 people, and make it a really desirable event that brings people from out of town and shows them all the awesome outdoor experiences we have here,” Scott Tucker said.
“I think we can make it a destination event where people work hard all year to be ready for it and really enjoy the experience.”
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-452-2345, ext. 5250 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
