I’ve had the pleasure of running every Hood to Coast Relay in the US, and I would have to say running through the Central Oregon High Desert was probably one of my favorite backdrops for a race.
This year, the 2026 HTC High Desert Relay is on October 3rd, 2026.
This event has both a running option and a walking option. The 67.5 mile running event starts at the beautiful Brasada Ranch in Powell Butte and the 43.7 mile event begins at Crooked River Park in Prineville. Both courses will end up back at Brasada Ranch for a fun after party.
One of the best things about this relay is it’s a one day adventure, so there’s no weekend of sleep deprivation in a stinky van and the whole team gets to stay on this adventure together. Each team is comprised of 4 to 6 runners and there are 12 legs, so every runner will run at least twice.
You can check out all the legs and course on the website or here.
As you would expect, this is a really scenic race, from the Cascade Mountains to Smith Rock and the Prineville Reservoir and Crooked River.
If you’re like some of us who love the relay experience but not all the work that it takes to sacrifice a whole weekend to do it, this is the perfect adventure for you and some friends!
2026 HTC High Desert Relay $650-$900/team
Details
- When: Saturday, October 3rd, 2026
- Where: Brasada Ranch, Powell Butte, OR
- Packet Pick-Up:
- September 30th at Dick’s Sporting Goods (17799 Lower Boones Ferry Rd, Lake Oswego) from 2:00PM to 6:00PM
- October 2nd at Brasada Ranch from 4:00PM to 6:00PM