The motto for October 15 The Traveler 10K Trail Run at Lake Cushman, an untimed trail and mud run featuring obstacles, is “No Traveler Left Behind.”
“It means that you are the traveler, we say ‘be the traveler,’ it’s your journey, and that it’s all about teamwork. Teammates help each other over the obstacles, the goal is making sure your entire team completes each obstacle,” explains co-organizer Kerry Myers.
The concept behind this unique event is not about completing in a certain time, but making sure that your whole team finishes together. The race isn’t timed and there are prizes awarded for best individuals/teams and best costume theme. It is the embodiment of teamwork and community, explains Kerry, and that is what it’s all about for her and business partner and boyfriend Jeff Nunnemaker.
Combining the spirit of community and teamwork along with creating an event that embraces and is centered around the natural beauty of Lake Cushman and the Hood Canal area is Kerry’s goal. “It’s about achievement and cooperation, that’s what’s important. The scenery is all throughout the forest and with views of Lake Cushman, it’s about location and collaboration,” Kerry explains. Each obstacle is sponsored by a local business, further enhancing Kerry’s foremost goal of collaboration.
The race will start and end at Skokomish Park, where camping is available, and the route travels through Olympic National Forest. “You’re running through a really cool trail, it’s rugged, you are in the middle of the Olympic National Forest, we consider that pretty cool. You traverse along Lake Cushman, there will be moments when it’s pretty quiet and serene, each individual will be relying on other to complete the obstacles. This race is focused on the scenery and teamwork.”
There are 10 obstacles, built by hand by Jeff and Kerry, spread throughout the course. Kerry says that while some of the obstacles will be a challenge, the course is designed to be accessible to people of all fitness levels, and that walking the entire course is absolutely allowed. “It’s all walks of life coming together for the achievement,” she says.
The obstacles include “Monkey Madness” negotiating monkey bars over a mud pit, “The Pit” trudging through a mud pit, and the “Pack Mule” carrying a 50 pound sandbag 25 feet. Teams of three to eight can sign up for the race through October 14. The Saturday, October 15 race is not timed, and start times are staggered to ensure the course is not too crowded and no one is rushed.
The race ends with a complimentary barbecue and beer at Skokomish Park, where camping is available for participants. Kerry hopes that the event will bring people to the area and promote tourism and travelling in the Hood Canal Region. “Hood Canal is my home,” she says. “It’s in your backyard, it’s really not that far away. The location is so epic.”
Kerry and Jeff co-own Hood Canal Events, which Kerry describes as a destination concierge business. Hood Canal Events plans weddings, corporate retreats, vacations, and more. They also offer outdoor adventures like hiking and kayaking. “We help people piece it all together and find that perfect place to stay. We help accommodate tourism in Mason County, we want to contribute to tourism. Our goal is to be the glue and hold everyone together,” Kerry explains.
