Orca Running

Let’s get ready to rumbleeeeeee!!!

We are so excited to share with you a new addition to this year’s One Step Closer: Battle of the Run Clubs!

Battle of the Run Clubs is our new team competition for One Step Closer, and you do not need to belong to an official run club to participate. Your team just needs a cool name and a willingness to have some fun!

Last year, during the inaugural running of this event, we couldn’t help but notice groups setting up camp together, cheering each other on, and creating an incredible atmosphere of support and camaraderie.

We thought two things:
☝️How cool is it to see our running communities come together like this?
✌️There’s an opportunity for some friendly competition here.

Enter: Battle of the Run Clubs.

This year, participants can form teams of 3–5 people. Together, your team will collect as many loops as possible throughout the event. Run as a relay, run together, run at different times—however you want to tackle the challenge is up to you.

At the end of the day, the team with the most cumulative loops will earn more than just bragging rights. They’ll take home our brand-new Stanley Cup-style championship trophy and claim the title of Battle of the Run Clubs Champions. The trophy will be passed on each year, creating a new tradition and giving future teams something to chase.

And that’s not all. We’ll also be awarding additional team prizes, with details coming soon. In fact, we have several other surprises in store. 😉

So what’s stopping you from joining our epic summer running party?

Wherever you are in your running journey, and whoever you are, we can’t wait to celebrate with you. We hope to see you at One Step Closer, and make sure to tag a few friends you’d like to have join your run club on August 15th!

https://www.orcarunning.com/one-step-closer/

Got questions about this epic battle? Pop over to our IG stories and plop them into our question box!

RACE TEE REVEAL: ONE STEP CLOSER

Orca fam, this is the only race I don’t sign up to work because I WANT TO RUN IT SO BAD! Last year’s inaugural event was such a blast and I’ve heard a few sneak peaky tidbits that I know it’s going to be even more fun this year!

On Saturday August 15th, join the entire Pod Squad at Lincoln Park in West Seattle for our only time-based endurance event. Pick from 3, 6, 12, or 18 hours. Everyone runs the same 2ish mile loop course highlighting our gorgeous waterfront and a *ahem* memorable climb. Don’t forget to wave at Bruun Idun the troll on your way by! Winners for each time are the folks accruing the most laps, and we all cross the finish line together and celebrate at 10pm!

Seriously, I had so much fun at the 6 hour that I signed up for the 12 hour this year. I want to experience twice the fun!

We’ll have the barbecues going and will be serving up an assortment of run fuel for our participants throughout the day. Bring your families, too - there are two options for kids to participate (30 min or 1 hour) and a special celebration just for them when they finish. 🙌

Have I convinced you yet? Sign up today because prices increase in July!

https://www.orcarunning.com/one-step-closer/

We’ve been keeping a secret…

The Lake Sammamish Half keeps growing (and we love you for that!) and thanks to YOU, we’re making it a two day event starting next year. Runners can join us on Saturday OR Sunday to nail their first PR of 2027!

To celebrate, we’re opening SUNDAY REGISTRATION ONLY today, at the lowest price you’ll see. There are only 100 spots available now so hop on it if you’d like to lock in your plans for 3/7/2027 today!

Register here for Sunday: https://www.orcarunning.com/lake-sammamish-half/

Lucky you, Orca Fam, because we’ve still got a few volunteer shifts open for June 7th’s Great Ferry Race! There’s a gear check assistant, one aid station volunteer, and at least five course monitor spots open and we’d love to have you. Plus, everyone who volunteers gets 50% off their next race with us, or 100% off if their shift is 3+ hours long!

Bainbridge is a gorgeous place to spend a Sunday morning. See you there!

Register here to volunteer: https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/WA/BainbridgeIsland/TheGreatFerryRace

ICYMI: the REI x Orca Running Pride Community Run is on June 14th at the Seattle Flagship REI! Join us for a morning of tie dying, running with friends, and glitter. The best part? THERE WILL BE PUPPIES! is bringing what they call a “puppy pit” and if you see me adopt four more dogs, no you didn’t.

I cannot fathom a better way to spend the day. Will we see you there?

RSVP on Strava: https://strava.app.link/E9n5r5LGv3b

If you don’t already have one, purchase a Run With Love tee to tie dye here: https://orcarunning.store/products/run-with-love-tie-dye-shirt

CRAFT CLASSIC RACE TEE REVEAL

Get a glimpse of the race tee folks will receive when they participate in my favorite summer finish line party at the Craft Classic Half & 5k!

This August 2nd race starts and finishes in Downtown Redmond, and last year it felt like a summer block party from start to finish! You’ll be super speedy on this flat and fast course, and we’ve got pacers from Super Pacers helping you hit those summer PRs. Don’t forget to pop into the charity beer garden for a Manny’s! We are so grateful to for donating the kegs, and the money raised will support the Eastside Firefighters Benevolent Fund. 🫶

Wanna be extra cool? Take the Link light rail and hop off at the Downtown Redmond station - it’s a 5 minute walk and will save you time and money searching for parking on race day. Bring your own hydration pack or reusable cup and you’ve earned the title of ECO WARRIOR for the remainder of the season. 🙌

Prices go up on June 1st, so make sure to get registered now and get your friends in on what will definitely be a summer highlight. See you there, Orca fam!

https://www.orcarunning.com/craft-classic/

☀️ONE STEP CLOSER🌙 WOODLE REVEAL

It’s sustainably made.
It spins so you can show how long YOU ran (3, 6, 12, or 18 hours).
It features Bruun Idun playing her flute.
In short: it’s perfect.

If you haven’t already heard about our only time-based event, let me fill you in: One Step Closer was the HIGHLIGHT of my summer last year!

Runners commit to running for 3, 6, 12, or 18 hours, and try to make as many loops on the 2ish mile course in Lincoln Park as they can within that time frame. The best part? We all finish together at 10pm!

Last year I was coming off of a knee injury and alternated running and walking loops for six hours. It was SO MUCH FUN. If you’re looking for a day-long party with barbecue vibes, a DJ, and all of your best running friends, I really hope you get signed up and join us on August 15th. You won’t regret it. 🙌

New this year: teams can sign up 2-5 people and the top 3 teams will receive a special finisher’s trophy! We’ve also got a kids loopy race, where little runners will see how far they can go in either 30 minutes or 1 hour. Bring your whole family, bring your friends, and let’s celebrate summer together on the beach!

🫶REI x Orca Pride Community Run🫶

Mark your calendars, Orca & Trails fam, because we’re partnering with our outdoorsy friends in the REI Run Club to host a Pride community 5k on June 14th!

Whenever we join forces with REI Run Club we have a total blast, and we can’t wait to celebrate Pride month with them by gathering our running community together and moving through the great outdoors. Join us at 10am at the REI Flagship store in Seattle, and don’t forget to bring your Run With Love tee shirt to tie dye at our tie dye station! Did I mention there would be puppies at the finish line?

This is a free event that you do NOT want to miss.

RSVP on Strava. 🌈

https://strava.app.link/ONXyzqSL62b

CRAFT CLASSIC MEDAL REVEAL

Okay I’m loving the old school vibes on this year’s Craft Classic Half & 5k medal, and I hope you love it too! This race was SUCH a blast last year that I had to attach a few of my favorite photos just to make sure you all get appropriately hyped up before you register. 🙌

The Deets:
Sunday, August 2nd
Redmond, WA
Half & 5k out and back courses
Pacers from
Charity beer garden featuring and supporting the Eastside Firefighters Benevolent Fund

Last year’s finish line was one big dance party, and we even had a proposal! 😍 So if you’re looking for a place to make a grand gesture, well, look no further.

Go get registered. 🫶

SAN JUAN ISLAND HALF ✅

Our photographers and got so many gorgeous shots of everyone’s smiling faces today at the San Juan Island Half! What a beautiful day for running in the sun along the shore.

Huge thank you to for keeping the pizzas coming out hot and ready for hungry runners all morning, and to every single one of our volunteers for keeping our runners safe, on the right course, and helping race day go smoothly for everyone.

We love spending our weekends with you, Orca fam, and can’t wait to see you at the Great Ferry Race in a few weeks! 🫶