Olympia Traverse Running Its Fourth Year

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By Tom Rohrer

heritage bankTwelve years ago, Todd Elsworth founded the Bellingham Traverse, an athletic event that combines running, mountain biking, road cycling, and paddling in a race style format.

The popular athletic gauntlet drew participation from across the state, including athletes from Thurston County.

Leading up to 2010, Olympia participants contacted Elsworth indicating that there was a high demand for a similar contest farther down south in the Puget Sound.

olympia traverse
Olympia Traverse welcomes teams as well as individual competitors to the multi-stage race.

“They wanted to replicate (the Bellingham Traverse) in Olympia, and for me to create the course and bring in the Traverse brand,” said Elsworth.  “We put a team together to make it happen and here we are.”  The Olympia Traverse is now part of Recreation Northwest that puts on the event, scheduled for Saturday, July 27.

A combination of fun and fitness, traverse style events are perfect for a group with a variety of strengths in the four areas mentioned above.  Individuals can also attempt to complete the entire course solo.  However, the benefits of the Olympia Traverse are not just for those racing.

“We have a great course and it really highlights the recreational opportunities in and around Olympia, which was one of our goals,” said Elsworth.  “We’ve partnered with some great local agencies and businesses in the actual downtown area, so it really highlights that area as well.”

The first leg of the Olympia Traverse is a 7.4 mountain bike course that begins and ends at the Mima Mounds Trailhead in the Capitol State Forest.  Mountain bikers then transition to a road biker who will travel a 22-mile course through the Evergreen State College to West Bay Park in downtown Olympia.  A 3.5 mile paddle section goes around Budd Inlet to the Swantown Marina and then to a staging area near the Hands On Children’s Museum.  Next up is a 4.5 mile run to Priest Point Park and back to the Museum, where contestants begin (as a team or individually) a half-mile trek to the finish line at the Port Plaza.

“We wanted to accommodate what the racers enjoy and provide a snapshot of what’s happening in town and across the county,” said Elsworth. “We think the move to Port Plaza two years ago was great because it creates better visibility for the crowd and competitors.  Both can look at Westbay and see the boaters coming in.  All in all we think it’s a great course that makes it easier to get around from one point to the next.”

olympia traverse
Cyclists take off during the Olympia Traverse.

While competitors will certainly be competing for the quickest time, a successful team is one that enjoys themselves and have fun.

“We are out looking to be safe and have fun,” Elsworth said. “There are always people that to seem to be in hurry and we will give them medals if they finish high enough.  Really, in my perspective, the winning team is the team that has the most fun. It’s a time for goofy costumes, enthusiasm and just really a rolling party.”

Elsworth noted that 300 people participated in the event last year and that he expects a number closer to 400 in 2013.  This high number of participation is, according to Elsworth, a testament to communities like Olympia and Bellingham.

“We’ve got a strong outdoor camaraderie in those communities to get the word out and have people show up,” said Elsworth, who will attempt to complete the course individually this year.  “There is not a target audience.  It’s just a fun event that brings people together in the community and people respond to that.”

While the event has been a success with high participation numbers, Elsworth is always looking for improvements.

olympia traverse
The Port Plaza, in downtown Olympia, is the finish line for Saturday’s Olympia traverse.

“One thing I’ve been working on for the Olympia course is collaborating with the (Olympia Parks and Recreation) to figure out the future of trail development and making the course more enjoyable,” said Elsworth.  “We have opportunities to connect pedestrian access to trails and I’m excited to evolve our course in years to show off this area.”

Elsworth is thankful for the support the event has received from key Olympia organizations.

“We appreciate the Port of Olympia, City of Olympia and the Hands On Children’s Museum to allow us to in meet this setting,” said Elsworth.  “And just the positive people in the community who participate and support this event.  It’s pretty amazing to be a part of.”

For more information about this weekend’s race, visit http://www.recreationnorthwest.org/.

 

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