MUD MOUNTAIN DAM HALF MARATHON

September 21 2024
CHECK BACK FOR 2024 ReGISTRATION

2024 Mud Mountain Dam Half Marathon & 5K!

The Fall Event offers a half marathon & 5K, there’s no excuse not to do the dam thing!

The Half Marathon course starts in the scenic town of South Prairie (elevation 467′), gradually taking you downhill on the Foothill Rail Trail. You’ll pass through farmlands and forest, snaking along the Carbon River, and finishing in front of the Historic McMillin Bridge (elevation 128′). The surface of the course is fully paved. The Half Marathon has a net elevation loss of 339 feet.

The 5K course will be an out-and-back on the Foothills Trail. The 5K will start and finish in front of the McMillin Foothill’s Trail Bridge.

2022 Mud Mountain Dam Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K!

The Fall Event offers a marathon, half marathon & 5k, there’s no excuse not to do the dam thing!

The Marathon course starts at Mud Mountain Dam Park (elevation 1,319′), located deep in the forest next to the iconic White River. Kicking off with a 7 mile rolling downhill run through the Mud Mountain neighborhoods, you’ll head towards the SR 410 White River crossing. After a short tour of the neighborhoods in the City of Buckley, the course connects to the fast gradual downhill of the Foothill Rail Trail for the next 16 miles, going through farmlands and forest, snaking along the Carbon River, and finishing in front of the Historic McMillin Bridge (elevation 128′). The surface of the course is paved with a breif section of packed gravel. A 1,191 feet of elevation loss is gradual enough to get you to that BQ or PR!

The Half Marathon course starts in the scenic town of South Prairie (elevation 467′), gradually taking you downhill on the Foothill Rail Trail. You’ll pass through farmlands and forest, snaking along the Carbon River, and finishing with the Marathon, in front of the Historic McMillin Bridge (elevation 128′). The surface of the course is fully paved. The Half Marathon has a net elevation loss of 339 feet.

The 5K course will be an out-and-back with the loop through the neighborhood at High Cedars Golf Club. The 5k will start and finish in front of the McMillin Foothill’s Trail Bridge.

Half Marathon

Start Time: 8:15 am
Start Location: Veteran’s Park, Buckley
Finish Location: 
McMillin Foothills Bridge

Elevation Loss: 339′
Terrain: Paved

USATF Certification: WA23029RMB

5K

Start Time: 9:00 am
Start/Finish Location: McMillin Foothills Bridge

Terrain: Paved

Marathon

Start Time: 7:30 am
Start Location: Mud Mountain Dam Park
Finish Location:
 McMillin Foothills Bridge

Elevation Loss: 1,191′
Terrain: Paved

USATF Certification: WA21013RMB

Half Marathon

Start Time: 8:15 am
Start Location: Veteran’s Park, Buckley
Finish Location:
McMillin Foothills Bridge

Elevation Loss: 339′
Terrain: Paved

USATF Certification: WA21012RMB

5K

Start Time: 9:00 am
Start/Finish Location: McMillin Foothills Bridge

Terrain: Paved

Registration Information

Registration includes:
  • Heavy Mud Mountain Dam Half Marathon or 5K Medal 
  • Tech Shirt – Order by 8/7 to guarantee a shirt and size
  • Collective Bib
  • Optional merchandise available for purchase during registration while supplies last

Late registration will be available online during packet pickup & on day of race. Online registration closes 15 min prior to race start.

  • Half Marathon

  • April 5 - 6: $74 (2-Day Opening Special! On sale at 10:00 am.)
  • April 7: $89
  • May 20: $99
  • July 15: $109
  • August 15: $119
  • September 10: $129
  • September 22 - 23: $134
  • REGISTER NOW
  • 5K

  • April 5 - 6: $35 (2-Day Opening Special! On sale at 10:00 am.)
  • April 7: $40
  • May 20: $45
  • July 15: $50
  • August 15: $55
  • September 10: $60
  • September 22 - 23: $65
  • REGISTER NOW

A portion of proceeds goes toward the Humane Society of Tacoma & Pierce County. Additional donations can be made during registration.

 
CONFIRM REGISTRATION >> HERE <<

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A small transaction fee is assessed when registering online. Price increases occur at midnight. 

*Please Read! TCMA Policies* All entry fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. Sorry, no transfers to another individual, and no roll-overs to the following year. All participants under the age of 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian in order to participate. Sorry, no exceptions.

TCMA reserves the right to alter or change race course(s) of events, without warning, based on the needs of the event, municipality requirements and/or other factors that may be out of the control of TCMA. While we do our very best to keep our courses consistent, year after year for their respective events, circumstances may arise that require TCMA to alter or change a course. As an organization that utilizes city streets, parks, and other such pathways for our events, we work very closely with the local municipalities, police departments and fire departments to ensure the safety of our participants, volunteers and staff. While we don’t like to have to change a familiar course, there are instances where we are required to do so in order to be granted permission to host the event. We appreciate your understanding as we work hard to keep the events safe and enjoyable for everyone involved.

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Sponsored by:

Medical Services. & Hydration Therapy On-the-Go Provided by:

A portion of proceeds goes toward the Humane Society of Tacoma & Pierce County. Additional donations can be made during registration.

Registration Information

Registration includes:
  • Heavy Mud Mountain Dam Marathon, Half Marathon, or 5K Medal 
  • Tech Shirt – Order by 8/23 to guarantee a shirt and size
  • Collective Bib – Register by 8/23 to add a custom message to your bib
  • Optional merchandise available for purchase during registration while supplies last

Late registration will be available online during packet pickup & on day of race. Online registration closes 15 min prior to race start.

  • Marathon

  • April 5 - 6: $109 (2-Day Opening Special! On sale at 10:00 am.)
  • May 4: $114
  • June 15: $119
  • July 15: $129
  • August 15: $139
  • September 15: $149
  • October 1 - 2: $154
  • REGISTER NOW
  • Half Marathon

  • May 2 - 3: $79 (2-Day Opening Special! On sale at 10:00 am.)
  • May 4: $89
  • June 15: $99
  • July 15: $109
  • August 15: $119
  • September 15: $129
  • October 1 - 2: $134
  • REGISTER NOW
  • 5K

  • May 2 - 3: $30 (2-Day Opening Special! On sale at 10:00 am.)
  • May 4: $35
  • June 15: $40
  • July 15: $45
  • August 15: $50
  • September 15: $55
  • October 1 - 2: $60
  • REGISTER NOW

A portion of proceeds goes toward the Humane Society of Tacoma & Pierce County. Additional donations can be made during registration.

 
CONFIRM REGISTRATION >> HERE <<

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A small transaction fee is assessed when registering online. Price increases occur at midnight. 

*Please Read! TCMA Policies* All entry fees are NON-REFUNDABLE. Sorry, no transfers to another individual, and no roll-overs to the following year. All participants under the age of 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian in order to participate. Sorry, no exceptions.

 

TCMA reserves the right to alter or change race course(s) of events, without warning, based on the needs of the event, municipality requirements and/or other factors that may be out of the control of TCMA. While we do our very best to keep our courses consistent, year after year for their respective events, circumstances may arise that require TCMA to alter or change a course. As an organization that utilizes city streets, parks, and other such pathways for our events, we work very closely with the local municipalities, police departments and fire departments to ensure the safety of our participants, volunteers and staff. While we don’t like to have to change a familiar course, there are instances where we are required to do so in order to be granted permission to host the event. We appreciate your understanding as we work hard to keep the events safe and enjoyable for everyone involved.

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Sponsored by:

Medical Services. & Hydration Therapy On-the-Go Provided by:

A portion of proceeds goes toward the Humane Society of Tacoma & Pierce County. Additional donations can be made during registration.

Mud Mountain Dam Medals 

Celebrate your accomplishment and add some more bling to your collection! All runners will receive their hard earned commemorative finisher medal as you come across the finish line. 

Race Swag

*Check back for 2024 Swag*

Race swag will be available for pick up during packet pickup or at the finish line on race day. Unclaimed swag cannot be mailed out after the race, so don’t forget to grab yours before you leave!

  • Half Marathon Runners will receive a longsleeve tech shirt (guaranteed shirt & size cutoff is 8/7*).
  • 5K Runners receive a tri-blend shirt (guaranteed shirt & size cutoff is 8/7*).
  • Optional Apparel/Merchandise available for purchase while supplies last.

*We do our best to estimate numbers to account for registrations after the cutoff date but to help ensure that as many runners are able to get a shirt as possible, we cannot do size exchanges until the end of the day on race day.

Packet Pickup Information

Your packet will contain:
  • Race bib with timing chip attached to back and safety pins
  • Gear check tear tag attached to bottom of bib – please fix this to your gear bag if you are checking one on race day

We highly recommend you pick up your packet prior to race day to avoid long lines on race morning. You may also pick up a packet for a friend/family member, if you do so, please make sure they know you will be picking up their packet.

Pre-Race Pickup

Date: September 20, 2024
Time: 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Packet Pickup Location:
Central Co-Op
4502 North Pearl Street
Tacoma, WA 98407

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Day-of-race packet pickup will be available from 6:30 am – 7:15 am at the marathon start line, 6:45 am – 8:00 am at the half marathon start line and 7:45 am – 8:45 am at the 5K start line.

*Please Note* Packets will not be available for pickup before stated times. Please do not call the pick-up location with packet pickup questions. If you have a question, please email us at info@tcmaevents.com. 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Day-of-race packet pickup will be available from 6:45 am – 8:00 am at the half marathon start line and 7:45 am – 8:45 am at the 5K start line.

*Please Note* Packets will not be available for pickup before stated times. Please do not call the pick-up location with packet pickup questions. If you have a question, please email us at info@tcmaevents.com. 

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Day of Race Schedule

Marathon

Date: 2023 Date TBD

Start Location: Mud Mountain Dam Park
Finish Location: 
McMillin Foothills Bridge

5:45 am: Shuttle Loads & Departs 
6:30 am: Packet Pickup & Gear Check Start
7:15 am: Packet Pickup & Gear Check End
7:30 am: Marathon Start
1:30 pm: Course Closes 
2:00 pm: Last Post-Race Shuttle 

Half Marathon

Date: 2023 Date TBD

Start Location: Veteran’s Park, Buckley
Finish Location: 
McMillin Foothills Bridge

6:45 am: Shuttle Service Starts
6:45 am: Packet Pickup & Gear Check Start
8:00 am: Packet Pickup & Gear Check End
8:15 am: Half Marathon Start
1:30 pm: Course Closes 
2:00 pm: Last Post-Race Shuttle 

5K

Date: 2023 Date TBD

Start Location: McMillin Foothills Bridge
Finish Location: McMillin Foothills Bridge

7:45 am: Packet Pickup & Gear Check Start
8:15 am: Shuttle Service Starts
8:45 am: Packet Pickup & Gear Check End
9:00 am: 5K Start
1:30 pm: Course Closes 
2:00 pm: Last Post-Race Shuttle 

Parking

The parking lot at Mud Mountain Dam Park will not remain open for the duration of the race, the gate will be locked by the time marathoners finish.

  • Event Parking: Buses will depart from Orting Middle School, 111 Whitehawk Blvd NW, Orting, WA 98360, Directions HERE <<
  • Finish Line & 5k: Parking lot at McMillin Trailhead, Directions HERE << Parking is very limited, there is no shuttle service from finish to start.
Shuttles

All shuttles will depart as they fill up. Shuttles to the start will make continuous trips as time allows before the start of the race, we recommend that you take the earliest shuttle possible to ensure you are on time to the start.

  • Marathon: Bus departs from Orting Middle School to Marathon Start at 5:45 am. 
  • Half-Marathon: Buses depart from Orting Middle School to Half-Marathon Start (shuttles begin 6:45 am). Returning buses from half marathon start will come back to Orting Middle School and make continuous rounds to the South Prairie Half Marathon Start Line as time allows, we recommend taking the earliest shuttle you’re able to get on.
  • 5K : Buses depart from Orting Middle School to 5K Start (shuttles begin 8:15 am). Returning buses from 5K start will come back to Orting Middle School and make continuous rounds to the McMillin Trailhead Start/Finish Line, we recommend taking the earliest shuttle you’re able to get on. 
  • Post Race: Finish Line to Orting Middle School, 2.5 miles from finish. Shuttle service will end at 2:00 pm. 
Gear Check

Gear check is provided for your personal items at the start line and brought to the finish. Participants will be provided with a bag to use for gear check. Please tear your gear check tab off of your bib and hand it to the gear check volunteer.  Please do not put valuables in your bag. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items. You may claim your bag after you finish by providing your bib number.

Marathon Maniac / Half Fanatic Pacers

Marathon Maniac and Half Fanatic Pacers will be there to help you reach your goal for the marathon and half marathon distances. Please check back for pacer intervals as they will continue to be updated as we get closer to race day.

Course Support (Marathon & Half Marathon)

Water, Nuun Electrolyte, Vaseline, and Porta-Potties will be provided at all water stations. Additionally, various aid stations will supply energy gels. Aid Stations will be approximately every 2 miles. Medical personnel will be on the course and at the finish.

  • Aid Station #1: Marathon Mile 2.5 
    Honey Bucket; Nuun/Water
    284th Ave & SE Mud Mountain Rd, GPS Location HERE <<
  • Aid Station #2: Marathon Mile 6
    Honey Bucket; Nuun/Water
    252nd Ave SE, GPS Location HERE <<
  • Aid Station #3: Marathon Mile 8
    Fixed Bathrooms; Nuun/Water, Honey Stinger
    Wally’s Park, GPS Location HERE <<
  • Aid Station #4: Marathon Mile 9.6
    Honey Bucket; Nuun/Water
    Linda Campbell Memorial Bench Trailhead off Hwy 165, GPS Location HERE <<
  • Aid Station #5: Marathon Mile 13
    Honey Bucket
    Half Marathon Start, GPS Location HERE <<
  • Aid Station #6: Marathon Mile 13.5 & 14.5
    Nuun/Water, Honey Stingers
    Start of Out & Back – Runners pass this aid station twice; S. Prairie Carbon River Rd. & Foothills Trail, GPS Location HERE<<
  • Aid Station #7: Marathon Mile 16.4 / Half Marathon Mile 3.3
    Honey Bucket; Nuun/Water
    Arline Rd. & Foothills Trail, GPS Location HERE <<
  • Aid Station #8: Marathon Mile 19.2 / Half Marathon Mile 6.1
    Nuun/Water/Honey Stinger
    179th St Ct E & Foothills Trail Head, GPS Location HERE <<
  • Aid Station #9: Marathon Mile 22 / Half Marathon Mile 8.9
    Fixed Bathroom; Nuun/Water
    Orting Central Park, GPS Location HERE <<
  • Aid Station #10: Marathon Mile 24 / Half Marathon Mile 10.9
    Honey Bucket; Nuun/Water
    Tour De Neighborhood Loop (High Cedars Golf Club) 149th St Ct E & Foothills Trail, GPS Location HERE <<
Time Limit & Early Start (Marathon)

There is a time limit of 6 hours for the Marathon (13:45 mi/min avg. pace). All of those remaining on the course after the cutoff must move to the sidewalks and obey pedestrian laws. The timing mats, medical staff, and finish line amenities will remain at the finish until all participants have finished.  

Participants requiring more than 6 hours for the Full Marathon may start 1 hour early. All early starters must be self-sufficient and familiarize themselves with the course. Runners taking the early start will be disqualified if they finish under 5 hours.

Finish Line Amenities

Once you cross the finish line, you will be greeted with a variety of food and beverages to aid in your recovery. 

Day of Race Schedule

Half Marathon

Date: TBA

Start Location: Veteran’s Park, Buckley
Finish Location: 
McMillin Foothills Bridge

6:45 am: Shuttle Service Starts
6:45 am: Packet Pickup & Gear Check Start
8:00 am: Packet Pickup & Gear Check End
8:15 am: Half Marathon Start
12:15 pm: Course Closes 
12:30 pm: Last Post-Race Shuttle 

5K

Date: TBA

Start//Finish Location: McMillin Foothills Bridge

7:45 am: Packet Pickup & Gear Check Start
8:15 am: Shuttle Service Starts
8:45 am: Packet Pickup & Gear Check End
9:00 am: 5K Start
12:15 pm: Course Closes 
12:30 pm: Last Post-Race Shuttle 

Parking
  • Event Parking: Ptarmigan Ridge Elementary School Parking Lot, 805 Old Pioneer Way NW, Orting WA 98360, Map HERE <<
    Parking will be available in the lot in front of the main building and the lot in front of the gym. Please only park on the asphalt in parking areas at Ptarmigan Ridge Elementary, DO NOT park in the grass areas or at Orting Middle School next door (there will be another event taking place at the middle school). 
  • Finish Line & 5K: Parking lot at McMillin Trailhead, Map HERE <<
    Parking is very limited, there is no shuttle service from finish to start.
Shuttles

All shuttles will depart as they fill up. Shuttles to the start will make continuous trips as time allows before the start of the race, we recommend that you take the earliest shuttle possible to ensure you are on time to the start.

  • Half-Marathon: Buses depart from Ptarmigan Ridge Elementary School to the Half-Marathon Start (shuttles begin 6:45 am). Returning buses from the half-marathon start will come back to Ptarmigan Ridge Elementary School and make continuous rounds to the South Prairie Half Marathon Start Line as time allows. We recommend taking the earliest shuttle you’re able to get on.
  • 5K: Buses depart from Ptarmigan Ridge Elementary School to the 5K Start (shuttles begin 8:15 am). Returning buses from the 5K start will come back to Ptarmigan Ridge Elementary School and make continuous rounds to the McMillin Trailhead Start/Finish Line, we recommend taking the earliest shuttle you’re able to get on. 
  • Post Race: Finish Line to Ptarmigan Ridge Elementary School, 2 miles from finish. Shuttle service will end at 12:30 pm. 
Gear Check

Gear check will be available until 15 min before the start of the race. Please plan to bring your own bag. Gear bags will be transported to the finish line, you may claim your bag after you finish by providing your bib number. Tear your gear check tag off of your bib and attach to your gear check bag.

Please do not put valuables in your bag. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Marathon Maniac / Half Fanatic Pacers

Marathon Maniac and Half Fanatic Pacers will be there to help you reach your goal for the half marathon distance.
Times: 1:30, 1:45, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30

Course Support (Half Marathon)

Water, Electrolyte, Vaseline, and basic first aid will be provided at all water stations. Additionally, various aid stations will supply energy gels. Aid Stations with porta-potties are noted below. Aid Stations will be approximately every 2 miles. Medical personnel will be on the course and at the finish.

  • Aid Station #1: Half Marathon Mile 1.9 & 3.1
    Fixed Honey Bucket at mile 1.5, Foothills Trail Parking lot Trailhead. Electrolyte/Water
    Start of out-and-back off Foothills Trail, aid station will be passed twice, South Prairie Carbon River Rd. GPS Location HERE <<
  • Aid Station #2: Half Marathon Mile 4.8
    Honey Bucket; Electrolyte/Water
    Arline Rd. & Foothills Trail, GPS Location HERE <<
  • Aid Station #3: Half Marathon Mile 7.7, Trailhead Honey Bucket
    Electrolyte/Water/Honey Stinger
    179th St Ct E & Foothills Trail Head, GPS Location HERE <<
  • Aid Station #4: Half Marathon Mile 10.1, Park Honey Bucket just before aid station; Electrolyte/Water
    Orting Central Park, GPS Location HERE <<
Time Limit & Early Start (Half Marathon) 

There is a time limit of 4 hours for the Half Marathon (18:19 mi/min avg. pace). All of those remaining on the course after the cutoff must move to the sidewalks and obey pedestrian laws. The timing mats, medical staff, and finish line amenities will remain at the finish until all participants have finished.  

Participants requiring more than 4 hours for the Half Marathon may start 1 hour early. Early starters finishing the half marathon under 3 hours will be disqualified from awards/results. You must need the extra time to start early. Early starters must be self-supported, know the route, and obey all traffic/pedestrian laws until officers and volunteers are on the course. You are on your own until officers and volunteers arrive on the course.

When you arrive on race morning, please let the timer know you would like to start early.

Finish Line Amenities

Once you cross the finish line, you will be greeted with a variety of food and beverages to aid in your recovery. 

Results & Photos

Timing provided by Ready, Set…Time! Photos & free downloads provided by CJ Photography.

Results will be posted online shortly after you come across the finish line. Photos will be posted online in the week following the race, you will receive an email when they’re available. Results & Photos from previous years are also archived below.


Course Records

Marathon

Huy Son: 2:58:28 – 2021
Kristina Murphy: 3:26:41 – 2021

Half Marathon

Trevor Lafontaine: 1:05:50 – 2021
Nicole O’Loughlin: 1:23:37 – 2021

5K

Allen Hale: 24:46 – 2021
Ashley Atchley:
26:36 – 2021

Awards & Rules

Age Group Ribbons

Awards for the top Overall Male & Female and age group ribbons will be available for pick up at your convenience at the results tent*. Age group ribbons will be given out to the top 5 finishers in the following age groups: 9 & under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90+.

How to Claim Your Ribbon

After you have finished your race, check the results computers and get your print out. If your results are not yet posted please check back again in 10-15 minutes as they are updated often. If you are in the top 5 in your age group, proceed to the awards table to claim your ribbon. Congratulations! 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & USATF RULES: 
(1) If you win both an overall and age group spot you will be presented with both awards, overall winners ARE NOT knocked out of their respective age group.
(2) To be eligible for overall and age group awards or USATF submissions, you cannot be paced by or accept aid from a non-registered runner at any time during the event and you must complete the full course.
(3) Failure to complete the course in its entirety will result in disqualification.
(4) Use of personal music devices/headphones is discouraged for the safety and benefit of all participants. If you choose to wear them, please be safe and don’t turn them up so loud that you can’t hear volunteers or police. We recommend leaving one earbud out

*Please Note* 
Awards cannot be mailed out after the race, so please pick up your ribbon before leaving!

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Awards & Rules

Age Group Ribbons

Awards for the top Overall Male & Female and age group ribbons will be available for pick up at your convenience at the results tent*. Age group ribbons will be given out to the top 5 finishers in the following age groups: 9 & under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90+.

How to Claim Your Ribbon

After you have finished your race, check the results computers and get your print out. If your results are not yet posted please check back again in 10-15 minutes as they are updated often. If you are in the top 5 in your age group, proceed to the awards table to claim your ribbon. Congratulations! 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & USATF RULES: 
(1) 
If you win both an overall and age group spot you will be presented with both awards, overall winners ARE NOT knocked out of their respective age group.
(2) To be eligible for overall and age group awards or USATF submissions, you cannot be paced by or accept aid from a non-registered runner at any time during the event and you must complete the full course.
(3) Failure to complete the couse in its entirety may result in disqualification.
(4) Use of personal music devices/headphones is discouraged for the safety and benefit of all participants. If you choose to wear them, please be safe and don’t turn them up so loud that you can’t hear volunteers or police. We recommend leaving one earbud out.

*Please Note* Awards cannot be mailed out after the race, so please pick up your ribbon before leaving!

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HELP MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Volunteer support means everything to us and our runners. We couldn’t do this without the hard work and efforts of dedicated volunteers who provide encouragement and a helping hand from getting our runners ready to hit the start line to fueling them through the finish.

Sign Up to Volunteer
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