31st Annual Event
Saturday May 7, 2011

Come celebrate the 31st annual running of the Sunflower Relay and Iron Event!  This is an incredible opportunity to run through some of the most spectacular fields of wildflowers in the Methow Valley. This trail run is marathon length, 26.2 miles running from the town of Mazama to Twisp on beautiful trails through carpeted meadows of sunflowers.  Run either as an individual or form a team of 2-7 members.

The Course
This unique course begins at 1900 feet elevation in Mazama and includes deer trails, cow paths, bike routes and paved roads. Stunning views of the Methow River, North Cascades and Chelan Sawtooths abound from flower carpeted meadows and fields. At two points racers climb to 2600 feet and drop quickly to the finish at about 1600 feet in Twisp. This course traverses private property that owners generously allow use for this one day only. Please do not pre-run the course prior to the event. Because of the presence of livestock, dogs are not allowed to accompany their humans during the race. Total race length is 26.2 miles.

Due to the fact that this race takes place on private property, course maps and directions will be added to this web site closer to race day. For the safety of participants and out of consideration for our volunteers and landowners, we expect racers to complete the course within 7 hours.  

Total elevation gain: 1807 feet

Total elevation loss: 2240 feet

Start Time
8:30 a.m. at the Mazama Community Center

Cost & Registration - through Monday April 25th

• Iron: $60 includes a tee shirt designed and printed by local artist Mary Sharman (t-shirt for early registrations only!), transportation to race start, aid stations, potato bar lunch after race and race awards. Registration must be completed by Sunday April 24th to qualify for early registration and to receive a t-shirt.
• Team: $35/adult;$20/youth under 14 includes t-shirt designed and printed by local artist Mary Sharman (t-shirt for early registrations only!), transportation to race start for first team runner, aid stations, potato bar after race and race awards. Team entry forms must be received via US mail at the MVSTA office by Saturday April 23rd to qualify for early registration and receive a t-shirt.
  
  

Printable registration form for Team Participants

Late Registration - Monday, April 25th through day of race:

• fees increase by $10 on Monday, April 25th. Sorry, no t-shirts for late registered runners.
• Refund Policy
  No refunds after Monday, April 25th

Packet Pick-up and Late Registration
5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday, May 6th at MVSTA. 
6:30 - 7:30 a.m. May 7th at the Twisp River Pub.

Iron and Team Information

• An Iron-Person runs the entire 26 miles. Note: if you are both an iron competitor and running a leg of the race as a team member- the leg you run for your team must be leg #1.
• A Team must have 2-7 people. Team categories are:1) Historical: co-ed at least one member 14 years of age or younger and at least one member 40 years of age or older (age on day of race). 2) Open: mix of any age and sex, and number of team members
• Need to assemble a team? Use the Methownet.com bulletin board!

Iron Participants

Team Participants

Teams must print and fill out the Team form and return via US mail to MVSTA PO Box 147, Winthrop WA 98862. Entries must be received at the MVSTA office by Saturday April 23rd to qualify for early registration prices and t-shirts. Note that team registrations will not show up on this web site.  Team captains will be notified via email of registration and further race instructions. 

Transportation
Busses will depart the Twisp River Pub at 7:15 a.m. Saturday morning for the race start in Mazama. Leg one team runners may take the bus to the race start. Teams must arrange transportation to the other exchange points. No return transportation will be provided from the finish to the race start. We encourage you to take the bus!

Potato Bar Lunch

Race registration includes a potato bar lunch at the Twisp River Pub at race end.

Awards and Divisions
The awards ceremony will be at 4:00 p.m. location TBA. Awards created by local potter Jim Neupert will be presented to the overall male and female winners plus the top three iron finishers in each age division: 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+. Team awards for top three historical teams and top three open teams.

Directions

Race Start - From Twisp, head west on Hwy 20 through Winthrop approximately 21 miles. Turn right at the Mazama Junction and proceed straight to the stop sign. Go straight through the intersection and turn right into the Corral Parking Lot. Mazama Community Center is red building at east end of parking lot.

Race Finish - From Twisp head ¼ mile west on Hwy 20, cross bridge over Twisp River, take a immediate left on Ainsworth and a right on Berger St. After .3 mile Berger St. veers left, becomes Peters St. and turns to dirt. Follow .2 mile to intersection of Yoakum and Sunflower parking area.

Results
Results will be posted on MVSTA's results web page the evening of the race.