Group Runs

Group Runs Summer 2026

The Youth Trail Project is excited to host free trail runs open to trail runners ages 8-18. 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:

  • Ages 8-18, free
  • Thursday mornings
  • Open to runners ages 8-18. 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 MUST CREATE AN ACCOUNT IN SPOND & RSVP FOR EACH RUN: Spond allows us to track waivers (must be signed by parents!), RSVPs and attendance. We have 50 max youth runners. This is how we communicate run information.
  • Coaching or parent looking to get involved? We love to collaborate and can use route leaders. pnwyouthtrailproject (at) gmail (dot) com

Download the Spond App & RSVP

How do you join YTP, find out the most up-to-date information or RSVP to an event?

  1. Create a Spond account through this link and download the Spond App
  2. Run leaders, volunteers, youth and anyone else looking at attend should create an account
    • 18 or older: Create an account and select the ‘I want to become a member’ option.
    • 17 or younger: A parent must enter their information to sign the liability waiver by selecting the ‘I’m signing up a child’ option.
  3. Enable notifications to you will get updates from us. Updates will also be sent via email and to guardians.
  4. To RSVP to an event, go into the event and click ‘Accept.’ If your plans change and you cannot attend, please select ‘Decline’ and this will notify us.
  5. We use the app Strava for specific GPX routes on trails. You can download this app to see the route and use it in the field if you are worried about getting lost (app not required for participation).

(Routes and info are subject to change, so make sure you check event details in Spond before the event)

 

Group Runs Summer 2026 Schedule

Thursday, June 18 – Cougar Mountain (Sky Country TH)

RSVP required, exact location/time in Spond App (join club here)

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.

Thursday, June 25 – Tiger Mountain (Issaquah High School overflow lot)

RSVP required, exact location/time in Spond App (join club here)

The West side of Tiger Mountain features nice rolling trails on the Tradition Plateau with extended climbs up to Poo Poo Point, a popular paragliding location. The short and medium route will feature the rolling trails with the long route heading all the way up Poo Poo Point.

Thursday, July 2 – Seward Park

RSVP required, exact location/time in Spond App (join club here)
7/7 Seward Sizzler Course Preview!

Seward Park contains more than 120 acres of old-growth forests. Surrounding the ridge is a flat pedestrian road with great lakeside views. Both routes will weave in and out of the trails and pedestrian road for a fun run.

Thursday, July 9 – Grand Ridge (Central Park TH near soccer fields)

RSVP required, exact location/time in Spond App (join club here)

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 through rolling old growth forests.

Thursday, July 16 – Squak (May Valley TH)

RSVP required, exact location/time in Spond App (join club here)

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.

Thursday, July 23 – Discovery Park

RSVP required, exact location/time in Spond App (join club here)

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 through rolling old growth forests.

Thursday, July 30 – Cable Line Challenge at Tiger Mountain (Cable Line TH)

RSVP required, exact location/time in Spond App (join club here)

Cable line is one of the steepest trails around! Don’t expect to be running the uphill. The first route will take you two thirds of the way up the trail, where the long route makes it all the way to the summit with great views. Return down the much smoother West Tiger 3 Trailhead.

Thursday, August 6 – Cougar Mountain (Sky Country TH)

RSVP required, exact location/time in Spond App (join club here)

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.

Thursday, August 13 – Snoqualmie Tunnel Run (Palouse to Cascades Hyak Trailhead)

Headlamp required for tunnel!

RSVP required, exact location/time in Spond App (join club here)

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.