Date: Sunday, October 4, 2024
Start: 8:00 am
Distance: 30K
Elevation Gain: ~6,300 ft
Start/Finish: Torguson Park, North Bend, WA
UTMB Index: 20K Event
Prize Purse: $4,500

A TRUE PNW MOUNTAIN RACE

Two mountains. More than 6,000 feet of climbing. One very hard 30K.

The North Bend Skyline 30K is our premier mountain race and the championship event of the Vert Running Series. The course connects some of the most recognizable terrain in the Snoqualmie Valley, taking runners across Mt. Si, and Mount Teneriffe before returning to North Bend.

This isn’t a 30K where you settle into a pace and cruise. Expect steep climbs, technical trails, rocks and roots, fast descents, and plenty of power hiking. The course was designed to showcase the kind of mountain running that makes the Cascades special: hard-earned summits, big vertical, rugged trails, and a finish line surrounded by the trail community.

If you like races where the mountains dictate the pace, this one’s for you.

THE COURSE

The Skyline 30K starts and finishes at Torguson Park beneath the imposing face of Mt. Si.

From North Bend, runners make their way into the Little Si trail system to join the Old Si trail. At 22% grade, this will be a quad burner, and is one of the steepest trail grades in a race in North America. Ascend to Mt. Si and following the ridgeline to Mount Teneriffe before heading back to the start. Over the course of approximately 30 kilometers, runners accumulate roughly 6,300 feet of elevation gain.

The terrain changes constantly. You’ll encounter runnable sections where you can open up your stride, steep climbs where hiking is often the fastest option, technical PNW singletrack, and long descents that will test your legs just as much as the climbing.

Required Gear: All 30k participants must carry a emergency blanket and a 250 ml bottle. Other gear may be required as determined by weather for that day.

VERT RUNNING SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP

The finale!

The Skyline 30K is the championship race of the 2026 Vert Running Series. Throughout the season, runners accumulate points at Vert Running Series events before coming together in North Bend for the finale.

Overall series awards are presented following the race. 

The Skyline 30k is also a UTMB Index Race for the 20k distance. A UTMB Index race contributes towards every finishers UTMB Index in the corresponding category (20K, 50K, 100K or 100M) and gives privileged access to the UTMB World Series Events or Majors.

DIVISIONS

• Elite – Sponsored runners or runners wanting to build a resume to become sponsored. Not sure if you fit? Contact us.
• Sport – Trail runners who don’t have the time to train like the Elites but want to get out and give it their all.
• Masters 45+ – 45 plus years of age, who still love to compete but are getting tired of those youngsters just nudging them out at the line.

AWARDS & FOOD

Skyline 30k participants receive a meal at the start/finish line, snacks, and Fall City Kombucha with their entry.

All runners may choose one of the following during registration: A custom wooden North Bend Trail Fest finisher award block hand designed by race director, Joe McConaughy; or three trees planted in the Pacific Northwest through our partnership with One Tree Planted.

Podium awards are presented to the top 3 men and women, and top nonbinary participant at Torguson Park after the race.

• Overall Elite Top 3 – male, female, first place non-binary* – Cash Awards $1000, $300, $200.
• Overall Sport Top 3 – male, female, first place non-binary – Gear awards
• Overall Masters 45+ Top 3 – male, female, first place non-binary – Gear awards

King, Queen & Monarch of Vert (fastest to summit) $100 cash each.

Male and female winners receive free entry to Broken Arrow in 2027.

Vert Running Series Overall Awards –  The top five overall in the Elite, Sport, Masters 45+ divisions receive custom awards and Brooks running gear.

AID STATIONS

We will have aid stations on the course with hydration drinks, gels, pbj, chips, fruit, and other various nutritional snacks. Näak is our race nutrition sponsor, and they’ve provided us with Boost drink mix (60 gram carbs), waffles, and Boost Gels. Please remember this is a cupless race so there will be no cups at the aid stations. Huge shoutout to Cowgill. Expect a cowprint and a party!

• Mile 1.8 – hydration only
• Mile 5 – full aid station hosted by Cowgill Trail Collective (cutoff 11 am)
• Mile 9.7 – full aid station hosted by Cowgill Trail Collective
• Mile 14 – full aid station (cutoff 1:30 pm)
• Mile 16.9 – hydration only