Yakima Skyline 25K

The Yakima Skyline 25K cuts through the high-desert canyons of the Yakima River on an out-and-back route along the Yakima Skyline Rim Trail, on land that was part of the ancestral home of the Yakama people. Starting at around 1,300 feet above sea level in the river valley, the course immediately launches into two enormous climbs — gaining over 2,100 feet in just two miles before crossing a rocky ridge-top jeep road and plunging back down to the river valley. Runners call the final steep descent 'the elevator shaft.' With nearly 4,700 feet of vertical gain packed into 25K, zero shade, and high desert heat that can be intense even in April, this is one of the most demanding short ultras in the Pacific Northwest. Clear days reward runners with panoramic views of the Yakima River Canyon, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Adams. The race finishes along the river in a canyon of lush spring foliage, followed by a post-race celebration with free on-site primitive camping.