PORT ANGELES — Registration is now open for the Big Hurt multi-sport race which takes place in and around Port Angeles on Sept. 22. The race is produced by Peninsula Adventure Sports of Port Angeles with help from title sponsors Sound Bikes and Kayaks and Community Partner North Olympic Healthcare Network.
The Big Hurt is an individual and team relay endurance event that entails a 14-mile mountain biking leg in the hills above Port Angeles, a 2.6-mile kayaking leg, a 29.4-mile road cycling leg west of the city and a 10K run along the Olympic Discovery Trail. The total length of the race is 42.2 miles.
“There are some changes coming for 2022 and we want everyone to know about them,” said Lorrie Mittmann, race co-director along with Tim Tucker. The kayak leg will be changing. Previously, the kayak course did a triangle in Port Angeles Harbor. This year the course will be an out-and-back east from Pebble Beach Park to the Rayonier Pier. The race start time will move from 10 a.m. to 9 a.m. to ensure that kayakers will complete the course prior to the landing of the Coho ferry at noon.
“Participants must complete the mountain bike leg before the kayak leg, so this will give plenty of time to do both legs,” said Mittmann. The course change will also allow for spectators to observe the kayak race from Port Angeles Pier and along the Waterfront Trail.
Also new for 2022 is the addition of a new relay team division, Company Teams.
“Our town is filled with outdoor enthusiasts, and that includes our small business owners and their employees. This is a great way for co-workers to build teamwork, and just have fun with each other,” Tucker said.
Company teams must be three to four people and must be made of company owners or employees, with the exception that one team member can be from outside the company. Peninsula Adventure Sports is offering a discount to start up this division, with 20 percent off to the first 10 company teams that register before July 15. Team captains can use the discount code BEATMYCOMPANY.
Race directors encourage all racers, not just companies, to get signed up soon, as there is a price increase in registration on July 1. Participants can complete all four legs solo in the Iron Division, or they can race as a relay team of two to four people. To register, people can go online at BigHurtPA.com.
There is also a change to the Little Hurt event that began in 2021. In addition to a fourth- through ninth-grade division, there is a first- through third-grade division now. Each participant will do three legs, laps around the track at the Lincoln Park BMX track, rowing on rowing machines and running on the trail at Lincoln Park.
This event is produced by Peninsula Adventure Sports, Lincoln Park BMX and Olympic Peninsula Rowing Association. The cost is $15 and registration is open now. More information can be found also at BigHurtPA.com.
