FROSTY MOSS RELAY

NEW DATE: March 16, 2024

80 Miles – 15 Legs – 2 – 5 Runners

 

THE MINI MOSS

30 Miles – 8 Legs – 2, 3, or 4 Runners

An all-day run with friends in the greenest corner of the lower 48

 

Frosty Moss 50K (Mini Moss SOLO)

WHO

You and your best road and trail running buddies. Form a team of 2 – 5 people (Full Moss) or 1(50k solo), 2, 3, or 4 people (Mini Moss). Any mix of age, gender, and ability, as long as your team can average a 12-minute pace or faster. Load up your team van with food, drinks, extra layers, tunes, and a fun competitive spirit.

WHEN

Saturday, March 16, 2024. Wave starts based on teams’ projected average pace. Team captains are asked to attend the Friday evening packet pickup: 5-9pm at 7 Cedars Resort

WHERE

The Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. Frosty Moss HQ is based in Port Angeles, where the mountains greet the sea. The course follows the Olympic Discovery Trail and the Adventure Route. Mini Moss begins at the end of Ediz Hook in Port Angeles (all pavement; no trail running).

Pavement + Trail = The Best of Both Running Worlds

Finally, you don’t have to choose between your roadie and trail friends. Join forces and crush the competition on pavement and dirt!

Frosty Moss Relay = An 80-Mile River of Green

When skies are gray, we head for the trails. There’s no better way to spend the day than running through mossy, ferny forests. (Photo: Lindsey Asplund)

THE FROSTY MOSS EXPERIENCE

Frosty Moss Relay runners trace the Olympic Discovery Trail (paved multiuse path) and Adventure Route (singletrack trail) from west to east, beginning at the Camp Creek Trailhead along the Sol Duc River and finishing in Blyn at the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe facilities.

Frosty Moss Relay is about 80 miles and consists of 15 legs in a mix of distances on pavement and trail. Paved legs are mostly on former railroad grade, meaning relatively flat with some rolling hills. The Adventure Route is hilly dirt singletrack, not overly technical, plus a few miles of gravel road at the beginning. Full Moss teams have 2 – 5 runners.

The 30-mile Mini Moss has 8 legs and teams of 2, 3, or 4 runners. It begins at the end of Ediz Hook in Port Angeles and follows the Olympic Discovery Trail to Blyn. All pavement, no trail running. 

The Frosty Moss 50K follows the same amazing route at the Mini Moss.

Teams are welcome to divide the legs among runners as they like, but a runner may not run back-to-back legs.

Along the way, you’ll experience the best of the Olympic Peninsula:

  • Towering evergreens and vivid green moss and ferns
  • Sol Duc River, Lake Crescent, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca
  • Olympic National Park and the Spruce Railroad Trail
  • Views of the Olympic Mountains to the south and Vancouver Island to the north
  • The wild and free Elwha River
  • Miles of waterfront in Port Angeles
  • Bucolic farmland in Sequim
  • The restored Dungeness River Railroad Bridge
  • The iconic architecture of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe

Super Fun After-Party!

Make sure to attend the after-party in the Blyn Banquet Room at 7 Cedars Resort from 6pm-10:30pm on race evening. We will have hot food, cold drinks, music, awards and other shenanigans!

Awards will be given at the party for the 1st place 2-3 person Frosty Moss Team, 1st place 4-5 person Frosty Moss Team, 1st Place Mini Moss Team, 1st Place man and woman 50K, Last Place Frosty Moss Team (Last Slug Standing), Middle Place Frosty Moss Team (Mediocrity Award), and Best Team Theme. See the “Results” page of this website for explanation of the Mediocrity Awards and to see past award winners for all the categories.

Social Media Award

We will also be giving away a huge prize basket for the winning team (Frosty or Mini) that posts the most – and quality counts – photos on Instagram tagged with @frostymossrelay #frostymoss2024 and your team name. You can post as you are training leading up to event day, and all day of the event.

 

REGISTRATION
    • Registration closes March 15, 2024.  No day-of-race registration.
    • Frosty Moss: Teams of 2, 3, 4, or 5; $95 per person. Limited to 60 teams (4 start waves of 15 teams each). Teams of 2-3 will be grouped for timing / awards. Teams of 4-5 will be grouped together for timing / awards. (price increase to $100 starting January 1)
    • Mini Moss: Teams of 2, 3, or 4; $75 per person. Limited to 45 teams(3 wave starts of 15 teams each).  (price increase to $80 starting January 1) 
    • Mini Moss 50K: $85
    • NO REFUNDS: In case of forced cancellation, teams will receive the choice of a free transfer to the following year, or an 80% refund.
Packet Pickup: Friday, March 15

Team captains and 50K solo runners should plan to attend the Friday evening packet pickup, at Blyn Banquet Room of 7 Cedars Resort from 5-9pm. Team captains bring a printed copy of your Team Roster. There will be on-site check-in on Saturday, but be aware that the drive from Port Angeles to the start line for the 80-mile Frosty Moss takes about an hour. Book lodging in the area the night before if at all possible.

PRO TIP: Register early to hold your spot!

WHAT’S INCLUDED

In addition to an epic outdoor experience in the far northwest corner, all runners receive…

  • Swag bag of Frosty Moss Relay goodies and other surprises.
  • Comprehensive event guide and on-course race support.
  • Meal, beverage, and awards at Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s 7 Cedars Resort.
  • Bragging rights for getting after it all day on the Olympic Peninsula in March.
Calculating your Average Team Pace

Waves will be assigned based on your estimated average team pace as indicated on your registration. Please be as accurate as possible on your pace estimates. We recommended that you add at least 1 minute/mile to your runners normal road pace for the Adventure Trail sections (legs 4-6). Do NOT pad your time because you are worried about making the cutoffs. If you run faster than your average pace and beat the exchange zone volunteers, your team will be held and made to wait. You do not have anything to gain by padding your average pace! Don’t worry! We will be sure to assign you a start time that will allow you to make the check points based on your ACTUAL average pace. We will assign wave start times in early January for your planning purposes. Please feel free to use our Average Pace Calculator to assist with your estimates!

IN-RACE TRANSPORTATION

Relay teams provide their own vehicle and should be self-sufficient with food and water. Teams are limited to ONE on-course vehicle, ideally a van, minivan, or SUV. No motorhomes, limos, buses, or tow-behind trailers. Decorate your ride! Frosty Moss Race Directors will give an award to one creative team for “Best Team Vehicle”.

50K runners must be dropped off and picked up – we do not have a shuttle service. 50K runners can have one support person/vehicle along the course.

TRAFFIC

All roads will be open—traffic rules apply. Runners must stop and wait for traffic before crossing intersections.

CUTOFF TIME (DNF)

This is a challenging event! Teams must average an overall 12-minute mile pace or faster, including time spent at exchange points. That said, 12-minute teams may very well find themselves missing the cutoff. Grab a fast friend as your ringer. 

Frosty Moss Teams must reach the end of Leg 7 by 4:00 p.m. If your team does not arrive in time, you are required to skip the next race leg, and start again at the start of Leg 9 at Port Angeles Yacht Club. 

Frosty Moss Teams reaching the end of Leg 12 (Railroad Bridge Park) after 8:00 p.m. will be sent directly to the finish line. Teams farther behind will also be sent to the finish line when they reach the end of their leg. In these cases, teams will receive a DNF (no race time) but are encouraged to hit the party time to celebrate your mossy adventure.

Mini Moss Teams reaching the end of Leg 5 (Railroad Bridge Park) after 6:30 p.m. will be required to skip the next race leg, and start again at the start of Leg 7 at Carrie Blake Park.

50K runners must reach the end of Leg 5 (Railroad Bridge Park) by 7:00 p.m. (14mm or faster pace)

RUNNING IN THE DARK

You will be running in the dark in the morning and evening. Runners must wear reflective vests, headlamps, and blinky lights when the light dims and at all times along roadways. Some parts of the course can also be dark due to the dense forest. Bonus dark: The unlit restored train tunnel on Leg 3.

Sunrise/Sunset in Port Angeles, WA, on 3/16/24:
Sunrise: 7:23 a.m.
Sunset: 7:22 p.m.
Day length: 12 hours

WEATHER

Weather on the peninsula can change by the minute and the microclimate. Be prepared for sun, rain, flurries, drizzle, rainbows, mist, clouds, and, of course, frost.

March temperatures typically range from 46F(8C) to a low of 35F(2C), depending on terrain, elevation, and microclimate. Be prepared with appropriate layers, plus warm blankets and beverages in your team vehicle. Typically, weather is wetter on the west end and gets warmer and drier as you move east into the rain shadow. That said, be ready for anything, anytime, anywhere.

Bright side: Prevailing west winds off the Strait of Juan de Fuca mean a high chance of a tailwind!