The Orcas Island 50k (and it's sister race the Orcas Island 25k on Jan 25th 2014) is quite unique in the trail running world. The course alone would make this race very special with it's old growth forests, tough climbs and views of the surrounding islands, mountains, and Puget Sound but this race also has live music, great post race food and beer, and the chance to hang out all weekend long on the island with all your runner buddies. It's these Orcas races that started the whole "Rainshadow Running" approach to putting on a race--a party for my friends with a little bit of tough, yet beautiful, running thrown in. Why Run Anywhere Else?