This race is ferry boat or water taxi dependent.
Chasing The Light: Spring Awakening Backyard Ultra & Relay on Vashon Island
Overview
One loop. One hour. How far will you go?
Welcome spring the hard way — one trail loop at a time. The Spring Awakening Backyard Ultra & Relay brings runners together on Vashon Island to test their limits, chase the daylight, and see what happens when they keep showing up for one more lap.
The rules are simple: run a 4.167-mile loop through the beautiful forests of Island Center Forest, then be back at the starting line when the next hour begins. Run too slowly, miss the start, or call it a day, and you're out. Keep going, and you might just surprise yourself.
Choose your own adventure: take on 6 hours (25 miles), 12 hours (50 miles), or 24 hours (100 miles) as an individual, or rally a team of up to eight for the relay. For the 12-hour challenge, choose your side of the spring equinox: run beneath the sun or embrace the dark. Go solo, bring your crew, or team up with friends to see how many loops you can conquer together.
With a fully stocked aid station, hot meals throughout the event, and a welcoming base camp for runners and crews, this is about more than miles. It's about finding your grit, sharing the trails, and celebrating the arrival of spring with a community of people who think a little suffering can be a whole lot of fun.
Whether you're chasing 100 miles, trying your first ultra, or gathering your crew for an unforgettable relay, there's a place for you at the starting line.
The sun rises. The clock resets. One more loop?Course
4.167-mile loop through Island Center Forest, about 150 ft of gain per loop. 90% trail, 5% road, 5% gravel.
Aid Stations
Logistics
Crew & Pacers
Crew allowed. No pacers.
Swag & Medals
Custom bib, koozie, sticker and magnet, 20% off at flōstate, and a belt buckle for 24-hour finishers.
Getting There
- From West Seattle, take the ferry boat from Fauntleroy; arriving at the North End.
- From Downtown Seattle, take the water taxi from Pier 50; arriving at the North End.
- From Tacoma, take the ferry boat from Point Defiance; arriving at the South End.
- From the Peninsula, take the ferry boat from Southworth; arriving at the North End.
- From the airport, take taxi or public transportation (560 → C) to Fauntleroy; arriving at the North End. From the dock, take the bus uptown.
Driving Directions
When you get to Vashon:
- From the North End, head uphill till SW 188th Street, then make a right, then a left.
- From the South End, head uphill till SW 188th Street, then make a left, then a left.
- Via public transportation, make a stop at Vashon Hwy SW & SW 188th St.
Passes & Permits
No pass or permit required.
Parking
There is a large parking lot on the property.
Lodging
- Kåduka recommends Vashon Lodges. Message us to get our local's discount.
- Check out for AirBnb for listings.
- There's camping available at The Alyssum Farm -- registration required.
- Camping is only allowed on Vashon beaches from May through October.
- Hostel available at Camp Burton.
Policies
Land Acknowledgement
Vashon-Maury Island (named by colonial settlers) is the traditional, unceded land of the sx̌ʷəbabs (“Swift Water People”). They are known today as part of the Puyallup Tribe, who call themselves S’Puyalupubsh - “a people who are generous and welcoming to all people (friends and strangers) who enter our lands.”
The Island is within the tribe's accustomed area for fishing and shellfish, and still today remains a vital part of the tribe's cultural sovereignty. The Island is also home to many other Coast Salish people, including the Duwamish, Suquamish, Nisqually, and Muckleshoot. The land is within the territory covered by the Medicine Creek Treaty, 1854, which recognizes the Puyallup, Nisqually, Steilacoom, Squawskin, S'Homamish, Stehchass, T'Peeksin, Squi-aitl, and Sa-heh-wamish tribes and bands of Indians, as one nation.
Learn more about the History of Vashon and the sx̌ʷəbabs people
About flōstate running
Race produced by flōstate running.
View all flōstate running races on Kåduka →Disclaimer
We make every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information on Kåduka, but details may change. Please always confirm the latest information on the official race website. See something that needs correcting? Send us a note at [email protected]