Issaquah, Washington · Friday, May 8, 2026
The Tiger Claw is an ultra event held on Friday, May 8, 2026. It is located in Issaquah, Washington.
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!!
$35 for adults; kids 12 and under are FREE, thanks to our sponsors, when you register online by May 31st (a small handling fee will apply for all registrations). Participants 8 years old and younger must register with and be accompanied by an adult or participant 13 years or older.
SCHEDULE FOR RACE DAY, 6/27/2026
7:30am - 8:30am Packet pick up and day-of registration*
9:00am 5K race starts
10:00am Awards
*Day-of registration (until 8:30am) using your personal mobile device, then come pick up your bib from us! No on-site payments will be accepted.
RACE COURSE
5K Run/Walk Race Course map
PARKING
Parking will be available at Lake Wilderness Park. We highly encourage carpooling with others. Arrive early so you have enough time before race start!
Please see attached map for specifics. Parking and Race Day Map
PRE-RACE PACKET PICK UP
Pre-race packet pick up will be offered at Road Runner Sports in Kent. Come and get your race bib and t-shirt* before the race. Grab all of your race day needs when you come in to grab your race bib!
*T-shirts only guaranteed for those who register by May 31st.
CHIP TIMING
Chip timing will be provided by Tortoise and Hare Timing. Disposable chips will be placed on back of bib numbers.
AWARDS
Awards for both males and females will be given in the following age groups for in person race only.
Age Group Awards will be given based on Chip Time
0-5
6-9
10-12
13-15
16-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85-89
90-94
95-100
100+
1st place in each age division wins the coveted Bear Run Bear!
2nd-3rd place in each age division receive Bear Run Bells
Special awards for top 3 overall men and women will be based on gun time.
RACE RESULTS
Official race results will be posted on our website and online at Tortoise & Hare Timing. Results will be based on chip time (crossing start line to crossing finish line).
STROLLERS, DOGS & WATER
We encourage the use of jogging strollers along the trails of this family-friendly 5K! Out of consideration for other participants, dogs will not be allowed on the course (with the exception of service dogs). We do offer water at the end of the race.
GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
Proceeds from the Bear Run will benefit Tahoma High School distance running programs administered by the Tahoma Cross Country Running Club. The funds fill a wide range of needs for our large team of athletes including support for athletes and families who need help with team participation and summer camp fees, multiple scholarships awarded each year, and travel expenses beyond that available from the school district budget. These kids work hard and run hard all year while maintaining exceptional grade point averages. They deserve our support!
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Send email to Katie Leh at [email protected]
Welcome to the 2026 edition of the Cougar Mountain Trail Run Series, put on by Seattle Running Club and Northwest Trail Runs. Our events support King County Parks, with $15 of every entry going to KC Parks.
Events
May 9: 5.1 Miles & 10.8 Miles
9 AM start for all races, 12:00 PM cut-off (~16:40 pace for 10.8 miles)
June 13: 5K, 8.2 Miles & 14.5 Miles
9 AM start for all races, 1:00 PM cut-off (~16:35 pace for 14.5 miles)
July 11: 5K, 10.8 Miles & 19.5 Miles
9 AM start for all race, 2:30 PM cut-off (~16:55 pace for 19.5 miles)
August 8: 5K, 14.5 Miles & 26.2 Miles
8:30 AM start for the 14.5 and 26.2, 9 AM start for the 5K, 4 PM cut-off (~17:10 pace for the marathon)
October 24: 5K, 7.6 Mile Cross Country, 19.5 Miles & 50K
8 AM start for the 19.5 and 50K (7 AM early start will be available), 9 AM start for 7.6 Miles and Cross Country event, 9:30 AM start for 5K, 5 PM Cut-off (~17:25 pace for 50K, ~19:30 pace for early start)
Series (BEST 3 OUT OF 4 RACES is eligible for awards):
Short Series: May 5.1 Miles, June 8.2 Miles, July 10.8 Miles & August 14.5 Miles
Long Series: May 10.8 Miles, June 14.5 Miles, July 19.5 Miles, August 26.2 Miles
Top overall Man, Woman, and Nonbinary runners based on cumulative time will receive an award and free entry into next year's series.
If you are a Seattle Running Club member and want to use your membership discount on the short or long series, please signup for the series using the short pass or long pass and then send the race director ([email protected]) an email with your SRC member number. You will receive a partial refund within 5 business days. For all other races, please use the coupon code given to Seattle Running Club members--if you do not know the member code, please email the race director with your member number to get the code).
Online registration closes at 11:59 PM PDT the Wednesday before each event. We will have day-of registration if you did not register in time.
Reasons to Sign Up
Well-marked trails with distances that are perfect for all experience levels
Community: Surround yourself with members of the trail-running community
Post-race food and libations, including beer provided by one of our Club's partner stores, Flying Lion Brewery
Raise money for King County Parks: $15/runner donated to the parks
Safety Guidelines
If you are showing symptoms of any illness or disease, please skip this race. Email [email protected] for other race options or it's a much appreciated donation!
We Run on Native Land
We acknowledge that our running opportunities are built on the purposeful removal of Native peoples, who have been the stewards of Seattle-area lands for thousands of years. Thus, we accept our ethical responsibility for the ongoing stewardship of the land and purposeful support of Native neighbors, colleagues, businesses, and tribes. The Muckleshoot, Duwamish, Stillaguamish, Snoqualmie, and Coast Salish are the Natives of the lands we run on.
Photo Consent
I understand and accept that photos/videos/illustrations may be taken of me and/or my personal property while attending/participating in Seattle Running Club (SRC) events/functions. I acknowledge and agree that such photographs or other illustrations may be used by SRC and its related entities for advertising and promotional purposes in any medium, without compensation to me. If you would prefer not to have a particular photo used, let us know and we’ll do our best to remove it right away.
A Greener Event: Cup Free - Again, this year the series is continuing to reduce the amount of trash created during the event. We ask that runners bring a refillable water container with them on the trail to use at aid stations along the way. Our friends at Seven Hills Running, Fleet Feet Sports Seattle Ballard, and Snoqualmie Running have a variety of hydration products.
Race Information -Thanks to runners like you, the Cougar Mountain Trail Run Series has raised over $265,000+ for King County Parks and contributed hundreds of hours of trail work. Join Seattle Running Club and Northwest Trail Runs in carrying this legacy forward and making this 22nd annual event bigger and better than ever!
Just 15 minutes from Seattle, King County's Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park is one of the most popular training grounds for area trail runners and the Seattle Running Club. The course builds on itself throughout the series and brings runners through a lush forest of fern-lined single-track trails, over hills and along marshes and wetland habitats. This is a great series to supplement the training regime for a fall marathon or ultra. Cougar Mountain features rolling hills, a few moderate climbs, and a few steep but short inclines.
The summer Short Series and Long Series races are held on the 2nd Saturday of May, June, July, and August. The Fall races are held on the last Sunday in October. Series standings are updated after each month's races and everyone competing in each successive distance is eligible for Series awards (best 3 out of 4 races is eligible for awards!). There is a participant cap and the races tend to sell out, so register early! There are NO REFUNDS!
Seattle Running Club Discount
If you are a member of Seattle Running Club, you should have received a discount code for 20% in the newsletter. You will need to provide your member number if you use this discount code. There are also many other discounts and benefits for being a member of the Seattle Running Club.
No Dogs
As much as we love our four-legged friends and family members, we are not allowed to have dogs at our event. Very important announcement: Dogs are not allowed on the course due to Insurance Requirements. Despite the park's policy on dogs on leashes being acceptable, insurance has determined dogs on course cause a potentially unsafe environment for participants and spectators.
Awards
The top 3 Men, Women, and Nonbinary Runners in each event will receive a podium prize.
Welcome to the 2026 edition of the Cougar Mountain Trail Run Series, put on by Seattle Running Club and Northwest Trail Runs. Our events support King County Parks, with $15 of every entry going to KC Parks.
Events
May 9: 5.1 Miles & 10.8 Miles
9 AM start for all races, 12:00 PM cut-off (~16:40 pace for 10.8 miles)
June 13: 5K, 8.2 Miles & 14.5 Miles
9 AM start for all races, 1:00 PM cut-off (~16:35 pace for 14.5 miles)
July 11: 5K, 10.8 Miles & 19.5 Miles
9 AM start for all race, 2:30 PM cut-off (~16:55 pace for 19.5 miles)
August 8: 5K, 14.5 Miles & 26.2 Miles
8:30 AM start for the 14.5 and 26.2, 9 AM start for the 5K, 4 PM cut-off (~17:10 pace for the marathon)
October 24: 5K, 7.6 Mile Cross Country, 19.5 Miles & 50K
8 AM start for the 19.5 and 50K (7 AM early start will be available), 9 AM start for 7.6 Miles and Cross Country event, 9:30 AM start for 5K, 5 PM Cut-off (~17:25 pace for 50K, ~19:30 pace for early start)
Series (BEST 3 OUT OF 4 RACES is eligible for awards):
Short Series: May 5.1 Miles, June 8.2 Miles, July 10.8 Miles & August 14.5 Miles
Long Series: May 10.8 Miles, June 14.5 Miles, July 19.5 Miles, August 26.2 Miles
Top overall Man, Woman, and Nonbinary runners based on cumulative time will receive an award and free entry into next year's series.
If you are a Seattle Running Club member and want to use your membership discount on the short or long series, please signup for the series using the short pass or long pass and then send the race director ([email protected]) an email with your SRC member number. You will receive a partial refund within 5 business days. For all other races, please use the coupon code given to Seattle Running Club members--if you do not know the member code, please email the race director with your member number to get the code).
Online registration closes at 11:59 PM PDT the Wednesday before each event. We will have day-of registration if you did not register in time.
Reasons to Sign Up
Well-marked trails with distances that are perfect for all experience levels
Community: Surround yourself with members of the trail-running community
Post-race food and libations, including beer provided by one of our Club's partner stores, Flying Lion Brewery
Raise money for King County Parks: $15/runner donated to the parks
Safety Guidelines
If you are showing symptoms of any illness or disease, please skip this race. Email [email protected] for other race options or it's a much appreciated donation!
We Run on Native Land
We acknowledge that our running opportunities are built on the purposeful removal of Native peoples, who have been the stewards of Seattle-area lands for thousands of years. Thus, we accept our ethical responsibility for the ongoing stewardship of the land and purposeful support of Native neighbors, colleagues, businesses, and tribes. The Muckleshoot, Duwamish, Stillaguamish, Snoqualmie, and Coast Salish are the Natives of the lands we run on.
Photo Consent
I understand and accept that photos/videos/illustrations may be taken of me and/or my personal property while attending/participating in Seattle Running Club (SRC) events/functions. I acknowledge and agree that such photographs or other illustrations may be used by SRC and its related entities for advertising and promotional purposes in any medium, without compensation to me. If you would prefer not to have a particular photo used, let us know and we’ll do our best to remove it right away.
A Greener Event: Cup Free - Again, this year the series is continuing to reduce the amount of trash created during the event. We ask that runners bring a refillable water container with them on the trail to use at aid stations along the way. Our friends at Seven Hills Running, Fleet Feet Sports Seattle Ballard, and Snoqualmie Running have a variety of hydration products.
Race Information -Thanks to runners like you, the Cougar Mountain Trail Run Series has raised over $265,000+ for King County Parks and contributed hundreds of hours of trail work. Join Seattle Running Club and Northwest Trail Runs in carrying this legacy forward and making this 22nd annual event bigger and better than ever!
Just 15 minutes from Seattle, King County's Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park is one of the most popular training grounds for area trail runners and the Seattle Running Club. The course builds on itself throughout the series and brings runners through a lush forest of fern-lined single-track trails, over hills and along marshes and wetland habitats. This is a great series to supplement the training regime for a fall marathon or ultra. Cougar Mountain features rolling hills, a few moderate climbs, and a few steep but short inclines.
The summer Short Series and Long Series races are held on the 2nd Saturday of May, June, July, and August. The Fall races are held on the last Sunday in October. Series standings are updated after each month's races and everyone competing in each successive distance is eligible for Series awards (best 3 out of 4 races is eligible for awards!). There is a participant cap and the races tend to sell out, so register early! There are NO REFUNDS!
Seattle Running Club Discount
If you are a member of Seattle Running Club, you should have received a discount code for 20% in the newsletter. You will need to provide your member number if you use this discount code. There are also many other discounts and benefits for being a member of the Seattle Running Club.
No Dogs
As much as we love our four-legged friends and family members, we are not allowed to have dogs at our event. Very important announcement: Dogs are not allowed on the course due to Insurance Requirements. Despite the park's policy on dogs on leashes being acceptable, insurance has determined dogs on course cause a potentially unsafe environment for participants and spectators.
Awards
The top 3 Men, Women, and Nonbinary Runners in each event will receive a podium prize.
IMPORTANT FOR 2026: Damage to the Iron Horse trail from the December floods mean that no events are being held there in 2026, including the Iron Horse Half. Our course will be re-routed to adjust to this. Participants will be notified once our course adjustments are finalized. Thank you for your patience.
The Iron Horse Half Marathon will take place on August 30th, 2026 and is a half marathon starting at Olallie State Park and finishing in North Bend. It is a beautiful course that winds along the river and through the woods. PLUS IT'S 90% DOWNHILL!
Race Website
Check out our Bundle/Save
VIRTUAL RACE INFO - We have 40 spots for virtual runners. Once they sell out there are no more available. You can run the distance all at once or break it up into chunks and run it on the date of your choosing. You will receive a shirt and medal that will be mailed after the in person race.
Harvest the fruits of your training at the Redmond Harvest Half Marathon, to be held Labor Day Monday (September 7, 2026)! Starting from Redmond’s Marymoor Park, the Harvest Half is a fast, flat out-and-back half-marathon that goes west out of Marymoor Park and north on the Sammamish River Trail before returning to the start. Whether this is your first half-marathon, or you are experienced with this distance, this 13.1-mile course will give you an opportunity for your running goals to come to fruition. Come support a local race put on by Lake Sammamish Run Club and Seattle United Runners and finish your summer with a bang.