Registration

Online Registration is available.  Use the link here.

Many ways to participate
The Rainier to Ruston attracts relay runners, walkers, and ultras, who run the course solo.

• Runners tackle the course as a relay, dividing the 12 legs (each approximately three to six miles) among teams of two, three, four, or six runners.
  
  
• Ultra runners can run 50k or challenge the entire 50-mile course.  Rainier to Ruston is a part of the TrailRunner Trophy Series.
  
  
• Runners can choose shorter distances as well with a half marathon or marathon+ (27.7 miles).
  
  
• Walkers can choose either the half marathon, marathon+, 50k ultra or walking relay. 
  
  
• Runners 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.
  
  
• Those who would like to attend as spectators or volunteers 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.

Shuttle Info
A free shuttle service will be provided for all solo runners and walkers (not relay runners) who want to leave their vehicle at the finish areas at Orting or Ruston Way. Buses will take participants to their starts at Buckley or Rainier. This is highly encouraged to minimize traffic congestion at the starting areas. Please register for the shuttle at the time of registration. If you have questions about the shuttle, please e-mail or call Monica Bloom for details: Monica Bloom (253) 312-4840 bagel.song@gmail.com.

Waiting List
If you would like to join a team but do not know enough people to form one, e-mail Rob Hester at rcwhester@yahoo.com to be put on a waiting list.

How Does A Relay Work?
If you've never done a relay before, here's how it works:
All team members ride to the start together in their support vehicle and cheer their 1st team member as they begin leg 1.  Somewhere along the way, they often find a place to wait for their teammate and offer water and moral support as they pass by. Then they drive to the exchange at the beginning of leg 2, where they review the course map with their next team member. After the handoff, they repeat the process to the finish. If there are more legs than there are positions on the team, then everyone gets to do it again, e.g. the members of a 4-position team each run three times through all twelve legs.  It's amazing how energizing a relay is, even among members of a purely recreational or non-competitive team.  You cannot help but challenge yourself to do your best.  And the camaraderie that develops is great fun.

Entry Fee

Registration closes Wednesday, May 30, 2012. There is no day of race registration.

Of the nearly 51 miles from Mount Rainier to Marine Park on Ruston Way, 40% has been completed as paved, non-motorized public trail.  Another 34% is still unpaved trail.  The remaining course follows roads (15%) and sidewalks (11%), deviating from the original railroad grade where it has been lost to development.  (See Course Conditions for details.)  The goal of the Foothills Trail Coalition is to reclaim 100% of the trail from Mt. Rainier to Commencement Bay. This relay is one of the ways we're making that happen.

The purpose of the Rainier to Ruston Rail-Trail Relay and Ultra is to raise public awareness and funds for the Foothills Trail. Your donation will help the Coalition achieve its mission: the creation and maintenance of a connected system of non-motorized trails from Mt. Rainier to Puget Sound. Ask your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to donate $0.25, $0.50, or $1.00 per mile for each mile that your team walks, bikes, or runs. Thank you for your contribution! There will be an award given to the captain of the team making the most generous donation as well as the solo runner or walker making the most generous donation.