The Race to Robie Creek returns to an in-person race for the first time in two years as runners will have the opportunity to face this grueling challenge on Saturday, April 16.
Robie Creek takes runners on a challenging half marathon course that climbs over 2,000 feet over the Aldape summit and back down to the finish line, this race was created by the Rocky Canyon Sail Toads and dates back to 1975.
“We’ve touted the slogan the toughest race in the northwest from day one, I’m not sure it still fits that moniker," said Brian Rencher part of the committee who organizes the race. "But it is still a pretty tough race, 8.5 miles to the summit, 4.5 miles back down and that’s what beats you up."
Runners also need to be aware of the COVID-19 Protocols that have been put into place for this year's race.
"We’ve asked all our participants and all of our volunteers to be fully vaccinated," said Rencher. "I know that has created some controversy, but we feel that is the safest for all our participants all our volunteers."
Masks will also be required before the race, after the race and on the bus ride back to the start. There will be no spectators at the finish line, no after-party, but runners will still get their swag and fans can show up for the start of the race.
"That is the fun spot to see everybody head out," said Rencher. "We are also working on a stagger or a wave start, we still haven’t got all those details figured out but we won't send all 2,000 people all at once."
Anyone who donated their 2020 entry fee was sent an early entry email giving them the first shot at registering with a deadline of January 31.
"Those invites went out yesterday and we’ve had a pretty good response so far about 115 or 120 people have taken their spots," said Rencher.
Registration for everyone else happens on February 21, but in years past the field has filled up fast normally taking anywhere from 15-30 minutes.
It will be the first in-person Race to Robie Creek since before the pandemic afterboth the 2020 and 2021 events went virtual.
