Northwest Dirt Churners

10/19/2025

Scary servings of electrolytes and pickle juice from the Hamaker Meadows aid station for inaugural Rogue Gorge 50 mile trail race. Followed it up with a run on the beautiful and spongy Upper Rogue River Trail before cheering on runners at the finish line.

09/26/2025

Dad jokes and sliders all day and all night for Warm Springs aid station.

05/27/2025

The McDonald Forest 50k is Oregon’s second-oldest ultramarathon, established in 1996 as a fundraiser for local schools and organizations. Hosted by the Corvallis Area Trail Runners, it remains a nonprofit event with strong community involvement. The 2025 course, designed by ultrarunner and coach Andrew Miller, featured a tough 31.4-mile route with 6,400 feet of elevation gain, making it one of the most challenging in the race’s history. Shane Darden writes about his experience navigating the race, discussing pacing strategies, and interactions with fellow runners. What makes this event special is both the camaraderie and the tough terrain. The event continues to thrive, drawing repeat participants and fostering a vibrant trail-running culture in Oregon. Read the race https://nwdirtchurners.com/mac-forest-50k/

05/08/2025

The Spring 2025 Featured Trail Runner is Chris Gregory, a contractor from Enumclaw, WA, who balances work, family, and his deep love for trail running. From directing the Best of Squak Half Marathon to exploring rugged Pacific Northwest trails, Chris never backs down from an adventure. His running journey started with a pavement half marathon in 2017, but after tackling Rattlesnake Ridge, he never looked back—trail running became his passion.

Whether he’s testing out new nutrition strategies or rotating between , Hoka, and Topo shoes, Chris is always ready to tackle his next big challenge. If you’re looking for a trail run, hit him up! Read more about Chris’s favorite races, trails, and more on the website. https://nwdirtchurners.com/chris-gregory/

05/05/2025

A quick overview of the Little Backyard Adventure race by Rock Candy Running from Justin Sims:

Looking for a gritty early-season race to test your winter training? The Little Backyard Adventure in Olympia offers a backyard ultra-style 4-mile loop—no hourly cutoffs! Run for 3, 6, or 12 hours to see what you’ve got.

L.B.A. Park is the setting for this race with rolling terrain, short steep climbs, and plenty of muddy single track.

Is there a better way to celebrate those hard-earned miles?

Read the full report https://nwdirtchurners.com/little-backyard-adventure/

05/02/2025

The fifth annual Oxbow Trail Runs took place last Sunday under great weather conditions through an ancient forest, elk meadow, and along the Sandy River. Photos by .fotos are available from the race web page. Thanks to our sponsors for the fantastic raffle prizes and to for delicious post race food. See you next year!

05/01/2025

Trail running pushes your body to the limit, and smart recovery is the key to staying strong, injury-free, and ready for the next adventure. 🏔️🔥

From cold therapy and compression boots to red light and oxygen chambers, modern recovery tools go beyond foam rollers. Whether you’re tackling big vert or ramping up miles, these strategies help sustain peak performance—not just bounce back.

Recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all, but hydration, mobility, and listening to your body are non-negotiable. Experiment, adapt, and stay out there longer. Trevor Wichmann writes about some wellness solutions to help recover from the stress of trail running https://nwdirtchurners.com/wellness-therapy/

Which recovery method do you swear by? 💪👇

04/28/2025

Lost in the wild beauty of Chugach State Park, where towering peaks meet endless sky. ❄️🏔️ Anchorage’s rugged landscapes never fail to inspire adventure and awe. Whether you’re running the trails or just taking in the crisp mountain air, this place is pure magic. Who else dreams of days spent in the heart of the Alaskan wilderness? Anchorage trail runner Jake Mendenhall writes about his favorite trails and other Anchorage spots for you to explore now up on the website https://nwdirtchurners.com/anchorage/

04/22/2025

DOGE budget cuts have had a huge impact on already thin public land agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.
How does this affect the trails we love to explore? Read about how to help on your own or with advocates like article “How DOGE affects trail running” now on the website https://nwdirtchurners.com/doge/

04/07/2025