Sunflower

Sunflower

  1. Events /

Marathon, half-marathon and team relay

sfm-flower-banner-mitchell.jpg
Camera icon
Mountains illustration

Join us April 27, 2024 for the 43rd 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.

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 are 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 six hours, or by 3:00pm. Start time: 8:00 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 Chickadee Trailhead.

Relay

A relay team must have two to five people and finish by 3:00pm. Start times at the Mazama Trailhead: Wave 1: 8:00 a.m.; Wave 2: 9:00 a.m. A leg summary is below:

  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

Don't wait to register – this race sells out each year! No refunds or credits after March 15, 2024. Transfers allowed until April 1, 2024. There's a $15 refund/transfer fee. 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.

Kids 17 and under race for free, but MUST register (includes signing online waiver) on time to participate. If you have someone who is under 17 on a RELAY TEAM, please use Coupon Code: 17U-Relay when checking out.  We will validate the Date of Birth when this coupon code is used. If you have more than one member who is under 17 on your team, please contact adrienne@methowtrails.org

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 race insurance through RunReg.

Bib pick-up 

5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, April 26: Mazama Store Courtyard

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:

Marathon: 7:00-8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 27: Mazama Community Club (red building in Mazama)

Half marathon: 7:00-8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 27: Chickadee Trailhead

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

2024 Sunflower sponsors

Title sponsor

Methow Trails event sponsors

Sunflower event sponsors

Subscribe to our newsletter to learn about the latest news, updates and events.