Sunflower

Sunflower

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Marathon, half-marathon and team relay


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Mountains illustration

Join us April 25, 2026 for the 45th annual Sunflower Marathon, Half Marathon, and Relay! This unique course begins at 2180 feet elevation in Mazama and includes well marked deer trails, single track trails, and gravel roads. Stunning views of the Methow River, North Cascades and Chelan Sawtooths abound from flower carpeted meadows and fields. At two points, racers climb to 2600 feet. The finish is at about 1600 feet in Twisp. This course traverses private property that owners generously allow use for this one-day only.

Registration opens May 15th, 2026

Marathon

The Marathon course is a marathon-plus length at 26.8 miles. Expect breathtaking scenery and some sustained climbs and descents. Elevation +2,520/-2,350. A marathon participant runs the entire course and is expected to run the majority, not walk or hike. Out of respect for our volunteers and private landowners, marathon runners must be able to complete the entire course in seven hours, or by 3:00pm. Start time: 7:30 a.m. at the Mazama Trailhead.

Half marathon

Half marathon participants are expected to be able to finish their ~13.1 mile course in five hours or less. Start time: 9:00 a.m. at the Chickadee Trailhead.

Relay

A relay team must have two to five people and finish by 3:00pm. To eleviate congestion at the exchanges, we now have 5 wave options. Wave sign ups are on a first come basis. Start times at the Mazama Trailhead:

  • Wave 1 @ 7:30 a.m.

  • Wave 2 @ 7:45 a.m.

  • Wave 3 @ 8:00 a.m.

  • Wave 4 @ 8:15 a.m.

  • Wave 5 @ 8:45 a.m.

  1. Leg 1 - 2.2 miles
    Easy, good for younger or beginner runner

  2. Leg 2 - 5.6 miles
    Easy and flat

  3. Leg 3 - 5.9 miles
    Moderate with hills

  4. Leg 4 - 6.5 miles
    Moderate with a steep climb

  5. Leg 5 - 6.6 miles
    Difficult, strong runner required

Registration Information

Race entries are valid for the registered racer only, no informal transfers please. Entry fee includes race bib, custom Sunflower apparel, post-race lunch, and raffle prizes.

Refunds

  • We highly recommend purchasing Registration Insurance when you register.

  • If you purchased insurance and have a qualifying reason to cancel, you can file a claim through Allianz Global Assistance.

  • If you did not purchase insurance or do not have a qualifying reason to cancel, we will issue a refund, -$50 cancellation fee. To receive a refund, please contact adrienne@methowtrails.org.

  • We do not issue credits

  • No refunds after March 15, 2026.

Transfers

  • Transfers allowed until March 25, 2026.

  • Transfers can be completed through your RunReg account.

Relay Teams

  • Relay teams cannot add members to their team once the race is sold out.

  • Captains must pay the entire team registration fee at the time of registration.

  • If you do not know the members of your team when you register, you can add that information later. You must enter an email adress and the entry will be listed as “pending”.

  • This option allows team captains to invite and remove team members without having to contact the race director.

  • Kids 17 and under are free, but there is a limit of 3 entries per team.

    • Please email adrienne@methowtrails.org for a coupon code before you register. The discount will be applied when you checkout.

  • Leg 1 of the relay is a great option for younger participants and an adult is allowed to accompany them.

  • We do allow participans under 17 to run the remaining legs (2-5) but they must be able to run the leg on their own.

Methow Trails is a non-profit organization. Income from this event supports year-round trail operations in the Methow Valley. There are no entry refunds, exchanges, transfers or rollovers, and the event may be cancelled due to variables beyond our control: severe weather conditions, fire, unhealthy air quality, road closures, natural disasters, or other unforeseeable events. We HIGHLY recommend purchasing registration insurance through RunReg.

Bib Pick-Up

Relay teams must pick up their packets on Friday. Only one team member needs to be present. We encourage everyone to grab their packet on Friday, but will have the following Saturday locations:

Friday Bib Pick-Up

Half Marathon Saturday Bib Pick-Up

  • Time: 8:00-8:45 am

  • Chickadee Trailhead (start of the race).

  • You can ride the morning shuttle and still have time to pick up your bib.

Marathon Saturday Bib Pick-Up

  • Time: 7:00-7:30 am

  • Location: Mazama Community Club (red building in Mazama) near the start line.

  • You can ride the morning shuttle and still have time to pick up your bib.

Shuttles

  • Shuttles will be provided Saturday morning for marathon and half marathon participants.

  • Buses will transport racers from the finish line in Twisp to the start lines.

  • More detailed information, including pick up times and driving directions will be provided in the racer information packet.

  • There is no post-race shuttle.

Racer Bags

Runners may leave bags with extra clothing at the start line. Bags will be transported to the race finish.

Course Map

We do not provide a detailed map to respect the privacy of the landowners who allow one-day access through their property and make this event possible. Please do not pre-run the course, we only have landowner access on event day! No dogs are allowed on the course at anytime, including at the finish line venue which is on private property. Relay teams will be given specific driving directions to relay exchange points at race packet pick-up. 

Download map

2026 Sunflower sponsors

Title sponsor

Methow Trails event sponsors

Sunflower event sponsors

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