About This Race
OUTLAST Spokane represents a distinctive approach to trail endurance racing, combining predictable structure with unpredictable outcomes. Runners face a 6-hour challenge where they must complete a 5K loop every hour on the hour. Miss the cutoff for any single lap, and the race ends immediately. This format strips away traditional ultra pacing strategies, demanding instead a careful balance of speed and recovery within rigid hourly constraints. The race unfolds at Selkirk Lodge near Mount Spokane, where runners navigate trail terrain that includes natural surfaces, rocks, and roots. Between each hourly effort, participants have precious minutes to refuel, recover, and mentally prepare for the next round. The format rewards consistency over pure speed, though the fastest combined times across all completed laps determine division winners and national leaderboard placement. Part of a broader OUTLAST series spanning multiple cities, the Spokane event feeds into both local competition and national championship opportunities. Runners who complete all six laps earn the coveted OUTLAST medal and ranking eligibility, while those managing four or five rounds still receive recognition patches. The format welcomes both experienced ultra runners seeking a new challenge and newcomers drawn to the clear, structured approach to endurance testing.
The 5K loop course utilizes trail terrain around the Selkirk Lodge area near Mount Spokane. Runners encounter natural trail surfaces including dirt, rocks, and roots, with some potential pavement and gravel sections. The course design emphasizes technical trail running while maintaining accessibility for the hourly time constraints.
Starting and finishing at the lodge basecamp, the loop format allows for continuous support and monitoring. The natural terrain and unpredictable trail conditions add complexity to pacing strategies, as runners must account for varying surface conditions while maintaining the sub-60-minute lap requirement across all six rounds.
Location
Aid Stations
1 stations along the course
Basecamp/Start-Finish
water, electrolyte, snacks
Central hub location where runners return each hour. Cupless event - bring personal hydration system.
Practical Info
July in eastern Washington typically brings warm, dry conditions with temperatures potentially reaching the 80s-90s Fahrenheit during the 6AM-12PM race window.
GEG - Spokane International Airport
The race location near Mead provides access to Spokane-area lodging options, approximately 30 minutes from the Selkirk Lodge venue.
- Personal hydration system
Best For
Notable Features
The hourly elimination format creates a unique psychological challenge where traditional ultra pacing strategies don't apply. Runners must balance speed with recovery in compressed windows, making tactical decisions about effort distribution across six discrete efforts rather than managing energy over continuous distance.