Thanks to everyone for another great race this year! Check out this year's course records and the race results.

On National Trails Day, Saturday June 6, 2009, runners, walkers, and ultras will take on the seventh annual Rainier to Ruston Rail-Trail Relay and Ultra. The course follows the Foothills Trail from the shoulders of Mt. Rainier to the shores of Puget Sound. The trail passes through pristine wilderness and historic communities, following the old Northern Pacific railroad grade that once brought settlers and supplies into the west. The top runners, walkers, and ultras in each division will receive the coveted Golden Spike Awards.

Check out our new Rainer to Ruston video clip!

This year promises to be bigger and better than ever as the course passes over two beautiful new trestles and over a mile of new trail between Buckley and South Prairie. Registrations are well ahead of 2008, the biggest event yet with 76 volunteers and 304 participants - 11 solo walkers and 10 teams walking 27 miles in six legs to Orting, 3 ultras running 50 K from So. Prairie to Ruston Way, and 12 ultras and 38 teams of runners going the whole 50 miles from the Carbon River entrance at Mt. Rainier National Park to Marine Park in Tacoma. Check out the race results and the 12 new course records set, including a new record by the Emerald Ridge High School team which came back to win the $500 prize for their school by beating their previous time. Get ready to celebrate National Trails Day, 2009 with "an adventure in your own backyard!"

The Rainer to Ruston helps to promote the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition, a 501(c)(3) which is dedicated to completing a contiguous, non-motorized, public trail from Mt. Rainier to Tacoma. The trail has once again been improved upon in the last year, bringing the Foothills Trail that much closer to completion.

You can participate in any number of ways:

• Runners tackle the course as a relay, dividing the 12 legs (each approximately four miles) among teams of two, three, four, or six runners.

• Walkers complete a 27-mile course of 6 legs, either solo or as part of a relay with teams of two, three, or six walkers. Walking in pairs is also allowed.

• Ultras run the entire 50-mile course or the last 50 K. Rainier to Ruston is a qualifying event for the famous Western States 100-mile Endurance Run.

• Racers compete in divisions for Open, Military (reserve or active), High School, Collegiate (all in a college or university), Masters (all 40+), Super Masters (average 60+), and Challenged Athlete. The fastest high school running team will win $500 in R2R High School Challenge.

• Those who would like to attend as spectators are welcome, as is anyone else who wants to enjoy the trail on National Trails Day. See Race Day Schedule to see when racers will be passing through the towns along the course.

• Want to join a team, but don't know enough people to form one? Get your name on our waiting pool. It won't be long until a team captain contacts you, or, alternatively, you can contact others on the list to form a team of your own.

Registration is $20 per challenged athlete, $25 per walker, $35 per runner, and $50 per ultra. Military personnel may take a $5 discount.

The purpose of this event is to raise public awareness of the Foothills Trail and donations are encouraged. The Green Spike is awarded to the most generous team. We appreciate your support for our goal of completing this non-motorized trail from the Mountain to the Sound. You can find out more about improvements to the trail in our Founders Corner.

Download Your INDIVIDUAL Application Here!
         (Ultras and solo walkers must fill out both individual and team applications so we know your division.
Download Your TEAM Application Here!

Relay Map : Leg 1 Relay Map : Leg 2 Relay Map : Leg 3 Relay Map : Leg 4 Relay Map : Leg 5 Relay Map : Leg 6

Relay Map : Leg 7 Relay Map : Leg 8 Relay Map : Leg 9 Relay Map : Leg 10 Relay Map : Leg 11 Relay Map : Leg 12