October 31, 2026

Welcome to the autumn Cougar Mountain Trail Run, hosted by Seattle Running Club and benefitting King County Parks! The October race has 5 km, 7.6 mile (cross country team race), 19.5 mile, and 50 km distances.  Read more about the race series.

Registration

Register online at RunSignup.

  • 5k: $40
  • 7.6 mile: $55
  • 19.5 mile: $75
  • 50 km: $100

Seattle Running Club members receive a 20% discount; check the club email newsletter for the discount code. Day-of-race registration will also be available, but online pre-registration will save you money.

Cross Country // Cougar Cup

The 7.6 mile race is a team race – individuals are still eligible to run the 7.6 mile race for podium awards but not the Cougar Cup. The Cougar Cup is open to any team, group or club. In order to participate in the event, teams must sign-up the morning of the race and declare who is on the team. All team members must sign a waiver and list an emergency contact who is not racing. All teams must pay the entry fee of $180. This is a mixed team event and 2 women must score for each team. Teams can consist of 4-6 people with 4 people scoring and 2 displacing. There will be a cup handed out to the winning team. Team captains need to fill out this survey, and communicate information to other team members.

🎃Halloween costume contest!

The October race is on Halloween this year so let’s see who can get into the spirit and run some trails in costume! There will be an award for best costume (any distance) and best group costume (any distance). Winners will receive a gift certificate and a unique trophy from Wolfmotherworkshop.

Race day

  • Location: Sky Country Trailhead, Cougar Mountain Regional Park, Bellevue, WA
  • Schedule:
    • 7:00 AM: Day of race Registration and bib pick up open
    • 7:00 AM: Optional early start 50k race (online pre-registration required; no day-of registration for early starters)
    • Pre-race briefing: 15 min before each race
    • 8:00 AM: 19.5 mi and 50k start
    • 9:00 AM: 7.6 mile start
    • 9:30 AM: 5k start
    • Podium awards are announced as soon as the top 3 results in each category are available.
  • Time limits:
    • 11:00am:  50k cut-off time at Aid Station #2 (9.6 miles // Hwy 900)
    • 2:00pm – cut-off time at Aid Station #4 (21 miles // Hwy 900)
    • 3:30pm – cut-off time at Aid Station#5 (26.4 miles // De Leo Wall)
    • 5:00pm – Course closes (9 hour cutoff)
       

Course and aid stations

The courses will be well-marked along the trails and at every intersection. Course maps are also available here.

There will be five aid stations, consisting of water, Skratch electrolytes, and some basic snacks. 

  • Aid Station 1 – Clay Pit Road, 5.4 mile (1.1 miles for the 5k)

  • Aid Station 2 – SR 900, 9.6 Miles (Drop Bags for 50k)

  • Aid Station 3 – Squak Mountain Road, 15.4 miles

  • Aid Station 4 – SR 900, 21 miles (Drop Bags for 50k)

  • Aid Station 5 – De Leo Wall, 26.4 miles

 

 

 

Sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors for their support of the race series! Skratch Labs, Black Diamond, Snoqualmie Running, Experience Momentum, Basic Jane, Nixwax, Flying Lion Brewery, Pizza Coop and Alehouse and Wolf Mother Workshop 

Photo Consent

I understand and accept that photos/videos/illustrations may be taken of me and/or my personal property while attending/participating in Seattle Running Club (SRC) events/functions. I acknowledge and agree that such photographs or other illustrations may be used by SRC and its related entities for advertising and promotional purposes in any medium, without compensation to me. If you would prefer not to have a particular photo used, let us know and we’ll do our best to remove it right away.

A Greener Event: Cup Free

We ask that runners bring a refillable water container with them on the trail to use at aid stations along the way. Aid stations will be stocked with Skratch hydration products.Seattle Running Club Discount

No Dogs

As much as we love our four-legged friends and family members, we are not allowed to have dogs at our event.

Dogs are not allowed on the course due to USATF Sanctioning and Insurance Requirements. Despite the park’s policy on dogs on leashes being acceptable, USATF has determined dogs on course cause a potentially unsafe environment for participants and spectators. But we want to continue hosting races for years to come and need to abide by the USATF rules.

Directions & Parking

Google Map
The registration and start will be at the Sky Country Trailhead off of 166th Way SE (NOT at the Red Town trailhead).

From I-90 Eastbound, take the Lakemont Boulevard SE (Exit 13) exit. Head south (turn right) for 2+ miles on Lakemont Boulevard SE. Turn left onto SE Cougar Mountain Way; go 0.6 miles and then turn right onto 166th Way SE. Follow this road through the gate and look for the parking lot on your right.

Race Director contact: Rich Bennett
Volunteer contact: Michael Havrda

Race results