Multi-sport race comes to Olympia

Trey Wilson of Olympia is sacrificing competing in a race he loves to organize the first of its kind in Olympia.

After participating in previous Bellingham Traverse multi-discipline races, Wilson sent an e-mail to the directors of the annual race in Whatcom County to get things started for a sister event in South Sound that combines running, mountain biking, road biking and rowing.

“I thought Olympia would be a perfect place for an event like this,” said Wilson, the race director. “We were ready to do something and we love the whole atmosphere and culture of the Bellingham Traverse.”

Eighty-two participants have registered so far for Saturday’s 42-mile race, which begins at 9 a.m. with a 3.8-mile run through Capitol Forest and ends with a one-mile trek to The Fish Tale Brew Pub, 515 Jefferson St., S.E., Olympia.

In-between are 8.75 miles of mountain biking, 22 miles of road biking and 3.5 miles of kayaking/rowing with race transition areas at Middle Waddell trailhead, Mima Falls trailhead and West Bay Park.

Competitors may test the course designed by Wilson solo, in tandems or in teams.

Late registration takes place from 6-7 p.m. today and from 7-8 a.m. Saturday at the Fish Tale.

Bellingham and Olympia are the only two known traverses in Washington.

The Bellingham Traverse will mark its 10th running in September. In its nine years, the Whatcom County event has helped raise more than $50,000 for non-profit environmental organizations.

The theme for the first Olympia Traverse is celebrating the life journey of salmon.

It also serves as a fundraiser for seven area and regional non-profit environmental organizations, such as People for Puget Sound, SUP Cleanup and Friends of Capitol Forest.

Wilson said all the features the Olympia Traverse will have are similar to the Bellingham Taverse – all the way to ending the race at a pub.

“We thought it would be a perfect fit,” Wilson said.

Meg Wochnick: 360-754-5473

mwochnick@theolympian.com