Group Runs
Group Runs Summer 2025
The Youth Trail Project is excited to host free trail runs open to trail runners ages 12-18. These summer training runs are all about trail exploration, camaraderie, and fun. Hosted by YTP leadership and greater Seattle running coaches, each run will have multiple distance groups to accommodate various paces and ability level. No experience required:
- Free, weekly trail runs
- Every Thursday at 9:30AM at a different trailhead
- Open to high school and middle school athletes. Different pace groups and distances for all abilities
- Group runs led by Youth Trail Project leadership with help from local coaches and adult volunteers.
- YOU NEED A WAIVER SIGNED BY A PARENT: Submit your information via Fitvil. This is how we track waivers and also signs you up for our email list.
- YOU MUST RSVP FOR EACH RUN: We max out capacity at 50 youth runners. Each event has a Google Doc RSVP to hold your spot! It’s free. Please message us if you had signed up and cannot attend.
- Coaching or parent looking to get involved? We love to collaborate and can use route leaders. pnwyouthtrailproject (at) gmail (dot) com
Click here for our most up to date information. The below information is subject to change.
(All runs are open to middle and high school athletes. Multiple distance options available. Check links for route maps! Routes are subject to change, so make sure you check event details in Fitvil before the event)
Thursday, June 19 – Issaquah HS (Tiger 5k Race Course Preview + Brooks shoe demo)
Route #1 will cover the Tiger 5k course (don’t forget to sign up for the race on 6/21!), and the #2 and #3 routes will explore farther into the trail network while still covering the 5k course.
- Short: 3.2 mi, 600 ft (race course route)
- Medium: 5 mi, 700 ft
- Long: 7 mi, 1,300 ft
Thursday, June 26 – Cougar Mountain (Sky Country TH)
Route #1 will cover the Cougar 5k course, which will be the final YTP race in August. The course has a mix of forest road and windy single track with runnable climbs. The second route explores further into the Cougar Mountain trail network.
- Short: 3.3 mi, 400 ft
- Long: 6.2 mi, 1,000 ft
Thursday, July 3 – Seward Park (Seward Sizzler Course Preview)
Route #1 will do one loop of the Seward Sizzler course. Route #2 will do 2 loops, and hit up Route #3 if you are looking for a little extra exploration!
- Short: 2.2 mi, 300 ft
- Medium: 4.4 mi, 500 ft (race course preview)
- Long: 6.4 mi, 700 ft
Thursday, July 10 – Squak (May Valley TH)
How high will you go? The trails are well-maintained but steep. Go up until you want to come back down. Route #1 may seem short, but it packs a punch with elevation gain. Route #2, #3 and #4 reach further up on the mountain.
- Short: 2.3 mi, 600 ft
- Medium: 3.7 mi, 1,000 ft
- Long: 4.9 mi, 1,200 ft
Route #4: 5.7 mi, 1,800ft
Thursday, July 17 – Snoqualmie Tunnel Run (Palouse to Cascades Hyak Trailhead
Headlamp required for tunnel!
The Snoqualmie Tunnel is a 2.25mi long old railroad tunnel that is open to bikers and runners. The tunnel is completely straight and a wild experience! Runners will have the option to extend the out and back further past the tunnel to add on mileage.
Thursday, July 24 – Grand Ridge (S Playfields Parking)
At the base of Grand Ridge you’ll find the Issaquah-Preston Trail, a wide, flat railroad grade gravel path. With a few hundred feet of climbing, you reach the Grand Ridge which has flowy, runnable trails. Route #1 will take you down to the Issaquah-Preston Trail and back up for a nice loop. Route #2 will have you exploring higher up into Grand Ridge, and Route #3 will combine both these options.
- Short: 3.3 mi, 700 ft
- Medium: 6.2 mi, 900 ft
- Long: 7.7 mi, 1,200 ft
Thursday, July 31 – TBD (Discovery Park?)
Location and route TBD as we finalize volunteers
Thursday, August 7 – Cougar Mountain (Sky Country TH + Cougar Mountain 5k Course Preview)
Route #1 will cover the Cougar 5k course, which will be the final YTP race in August. The course has a mix of forest road and windy single track with runnable climbs. The second route explores further into the Cougar Mountain trail network.
- Short: 3.3 mi, 400 ft
- Medium: 6.2 mi, 1,000 ft
Thursday, August 14 – High Point Trailhead (Cable Line TH)
The last YTP run of the season will be a big vert run. Make it halfway up Tiger Mountain with Route #1 and hard earned views can be earned for those who make it all the way to the top of Route #2!
- Short: 3.9 mi, 1,200 ft
- Medium: 6.7 mi, 2,500 ft