The Sunflower Marathon and Relay is scenic as well as challenging.
The 35th annual Sunflower Marathon and Relay, traversing the upper Methow Valley from Mazama to Twisp, will be staged on May 9.
The marathon is run on both private and public lands, through forests, hillsides, ranchlands, and backroads. The route is lined with colorful arrowleaf balsamroot in bloom.
Participants have the option of running the entire marathon individually or competing as a relay team. Team registration is sold out for 2015, but spots still remain for marathoner participants through May 3. The late registration fee is $85. Registration includes transportation, a race souvenir T-shirt, post-race lunch with live music, random prizes, and awards.
The race starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Mazama Corral Trailhead.
Over 600 runners compete in this race each year, making it the Methow Valley’s largest recreational event, according to Methow Trails, which hosts the run. Additional race information and registration can be found on the Methow Trails website, www.methowtrails.org.
Title sponsorship is provided by Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies located at the race start in Mazama. Additional sponsors include Blue Sky Real Estate, Central Reservations, Chewuch Inn, Lariat Coffee Roasters, Methow Cycle and Sport, Methownet, Nordic Ultratune, River’s Edge Resort, Rocking Horse Bakery and Winthrop Mountain Sports.
