top of page
< Back

Grand Ridge Trail Run closes the Evergreen season Nov. 7

Evergreen Trail Runs ends its season at Grand Ridge above Issaquah on November 7. Five distances, a 50K, a 14-mile "half." Register by noon November 6.

<h6>Seattle Fitness Magazine · 25 Oct 2026</h6><ul><li><strong>14</strong>miles (half)</li><li><strong>5,600</strong>ft gain (50K)</li><li><strong>244</strong>spots left</li></ul><h2>Five distances, one mislabeled half</h2> <p><b>Evergreen Trail Runs closes its season at Grand Ridge Park above Issaquah on November 7.</b></p><p>The headliner comes with a caveat: the &#x27;half&#x27; marathon runs closer to 14 miles than 13, by the organiser&#x27;s own count, through rocky switchbacks and rolling forest before dropping back to the trailhead.</p><p>Five distances are on the card: a 5-mile, the 14-mile &#x27;half,&#x27; a full marathon, a 50K, and a free kids&#x27; race under the Woodland Speeders program. The 50K goes first at 7:30 am, the half at 8:30 am. Packet pickup opens at the trailhead at 6:00 am.</p> <h2>What the course does to you above Issaquah</h2> <p><b>Every distance leaves the Issaquah-Preston Trail High Point Way Trailhead, follows the Issaquah-Preston Trail for half a mile, then hits the switchbacks.</b></p><p>The 5-mile peels off at the top; the half, marathon, and 50K continue north along Grand Ridge, diverting onto the Flowing Fir Trail before an out-and-back to the Duthie Aid Station.</p><p>Marathon runners run two half loops, and the 50K adds the 5-mile course on top for roughly 5,600 feet of gain. The trails stay open to cyclists and other users throughout. Parking is along SE 79th St on the south side of I-90, or in the I-90 Church lot; the event page asks runners to carpool.</p> <h2>The team behind it</h2> <p><b>Race Director Katie Warren and course manager Irene Henninger both spend their winters forecasting avalanches for the Northwest Avalanche Center.</b></p><p>Warren has been with ETR since 2019, Henninger since 2021. Co-owner Porter Bratten handles branding and the website, and has been building carbon-neutral events since 2022, he says. Every finisher takes home a handmade wooden award that Evergreen says is made at Blackfish Crafts in Anacortes using solar power.</p> <h2>Series finale and what comes with it</h2> <p><b>Grand Ridge closes both the Evergreen Trail Runner Series and the Ultra Series.</b></p><p>Series awards, sponsored by REI Co-op and Mad Ritual, are mailed the following week. The event is Trail Sisters Approved and added a non-binary registration and awards category in 2023. The 50K had 48 finishers in 2025 and 31 in 2024. Runners who need help covering the entry fee can apply through the Trail Mix Fund, linked from the race page.</p> <h2>Registration and race day logistics</h2> <p><b>Registration is open on UltraSignup with 244 spots remaining.</b></p><p>Online registration closes at noon on Friday, November 6, per the official event page; UltraSignup shows 11:59 PM the same day, so check the official page to be safe. Day-of registration is available if the race has not sold out.</p><p>The race is cupless: every runner must carry a refillable container. Marathon and 50K runners can leave drop bags at the Lap Aid Station. The trailhead is at Exit 20 from I-90. Event details can change; confirm with the organizer before you go.</p>
Seattle Fitness Magazine · 25 Oct 2026
  • 14miles (half)
  • 5,600ft gain (50K)
  • 244spots left

Five distances, one mislabeled half

Evergreen Trail Runs closes its season at Grand Ridge Park above Issaquah on November 7.

The headliner comes with a caveat: the 'half' marathon runs closer to 14 miles than 13, by the organiser's own count, through rocky switchbacks and rolling forest before dropping back to the trailhead.

Five distances are on the card: a 5-mile, the 14-mile 'half,' a full marathon, a 50K, and a free kids' race under the Woodland Speeders program. The 50K goes first at 7:30 am, the half at 8:30 am. Packet pickup opens at the trailhead at 6:00 am.

What the course does to you above Issaquah

Every distance leaves the Issaquah-Preston Trail High Point Way Trailhead, follows the Issaquah-Preston Trail for half a mile, then hits the switchbacks.

The 5-mile peels off at the top; the half, marathon, and 50K continue north along Grand Ridge, diverting onto the Flowing Fir Trail before an out-and-back to the Duthie Aid Station.

Marathon runners run two half loops, and the 50K adds the 5-mile course on top for roughly 5,600 feet of gain. The trails stay open to cyclists and other users throughout. Parking is along SE 79th St on the south side of I-90, or in the I-90 Church lot; the event page asks runners to carpool.

The team behind it

Race Director Katie Warren and course manager Irene Henninger both spend their winters forecasting avalanches for the Northwest Avalanche Center.

Warren has been with ETR since 2019, Henninger since 2021. Co-owner Porter Bratten handles branding and the website, and has been building carbon-neutral events since 2022, he says. Every finisher takes home a handmade wooden award that Evergreen says is made at Blackfish Crafts in Anacortes using solar power.

Series finale and what comes with it

Grand Ridge closes both the Evergreen Trail Runner Series and the Ultra Series.

Series awards, sponsored by REI Co-op and Mad Ritual, are mailed the following week. The event is Trail Sisters Approved and added a non-binary registration and awards category in 2023. The 50K had 48 finishers in 2025 and 31 in 2024. Runners who need help covering the entry fee can apply through the Trail Mix Fund, linked from the race page.

Registration and race day logistics

Registration is open on UltraSignup with 244 spots remaining.

Online registration closes at noon on Friday, November 6, per the official event page; UltraSignup shows 11:59 PM the same day, so check the official page to be safe. Day-of registration is available if the race has not sold out.

The race is cupless: every runner must carry a refillable container. Marathon and 50K runners can leave drop bags at the Lap Aid Station. The trailhead is at Exit 20 from I-90. Event details can change; confirm with the organizer before you go.

bottom of page