Elkhorn Relay – Another Bucket List Event!

The Elkhorn Relay is on for 2023! With the passing of the reigns to Run With Purpose Racing, this 1 day relay in Eastern Oregon promises to be quite the adventure.

For this relay you’ll need a team of 6, with each person running 3 legs for a total of about 13 miles each. The course meanders through the Elkhorn Mountains for 82.25 miles. The fun will begin at Hilgard State Park and end at Anthony Lakes Ski Resort. So expect some ups and downs.

Your 82 mile adventure will start by heading south out of Hilgard Junction State Park on old Highway 244 along the Grande Ronde River. Once the highway leaves the river you will come to the first of many challenging climbs, and work your way into the backcountry beginning a 20+ mile section of gravel mountain roads. From here you will begin to catch glimpses of the awe inspiring Elkhorn mountains looming to the south and slowly climb up the backside of Anthony Lakes reaching 7,400 feet altitude! After you have climbed 6,000 feet of elevation, you’ll finish with a trail leg near the Anthony Lakes Ski Resort.  

A major bonus for this relay – besides it being run all in one day – is that teams don’t have to worry about gathering volunteers. Aid stations are staffed! How awesome is that?

The terrain will be varied along the route with pavement, gravel, and trail. All runners will run their final leg on trail, so plan your shoe selection accordingly.

There are tent camping sites available nearby the finish if your team wishes to extend the adventure overnight.

Two charities will benefit from this event. One in India and the other in Sudan. Both charities benefit children in those countries.

This relay definitely has me intrigued! The scenery, the challenging elevation changes, and the freedom from the stress of trying to wrangle volunteers. I’m putting this one on my bucket list for sure. Will you be running it this year?