The 2nd Annual Hood 2 River Relay returns this weekend. This multi-sport relay race, put on by Breakaway Promotions, starts up at Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort and descends to the Hood River Marina.
Last year over 300 competitors started the event high on the slopes of Mt. Hood and alpine skied, Nordic skied, mountain biked, road biked, ran, and paddled their way down 50 miles to the finish on the Hood River Marina Lawn. Due to the lack of snow this year the alpine and Nordic ski legs have been replaced with two running legs.
“We are bummed with the incredibly low snow year this year,” says event director Chad Sperry. “However, we are excited to have come up with two fun legs to replace the skiing portions of the race. Huge kudos go to the U.S. Forest Service and Meadows for working through these changes and allowing us to keep the race going.”
This year’s event will start at the main lodge at Mt. Hood Meadows and entail a short uphill sprint for leg #1. This will be followed by a 1.5-mile trail run along Umbrella Falls Trail for leg #2, and then onto the mountain bike to take a fast 6-mile lap around Teacup Nordic Park for leg #3. Next up will be the road cyclists who have a 27-mile downhill run into the Hood River Valley for leg #4, were they will exchange their bike shoes for running shoes at the old Pine Grove Elementary School. Runners will then head down Eastside and Highline roads before winding through town and out to Marina Beach for leg #5 to begin the paddling leg and the final leg of the race. Competitors can choose between kayaks or stand up paddle boards (SUP) to complete this leg that takes them upriver to the Best Western Hood River Inn and back. The final stretch requires the paddlers to jump off their vessels and sprint the last 400 meters to the finish at the Hood River Marina Lawn.
It’s still not too late to sign up. Register online at www.hood2riverrelay.com or sign up at packet pickup and registration at Shortt Supply on Friday May 29th. This event has categories for individuals, two person teams and six-person teams. The general public is welcome to come out and cheer these competitors on and enjoy the Full Sail Brewing post-race party at the Hood River Marina. Many outdoor equipment vendors will be on-site, along with music, great food, and Full Sail on tap.
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