Bucket List Race: Spokane to Sandpoint Relay

Every once in a while, I stumble upon a race I want to do someday. I’ve decided I’m going to start a series of “bucket list” races so that I don’t forget about them LOL. This is not a sponsored post, just me talking about what I love: traveling, racing, and beer. And this race has them all.

Here’s my first one…

Spokane to Sandpoint Relay

We all know I love a good relay and this one looks like it would be awesome. Like many relays, it’s about 200 miles, broken up into 36 legs. It’s on the smaller side with fewer than 100 teams, but every leg is timed and volunteers are plentiful. Speaking of volunteers, S2S offers a “hire a volunteer” program where you can hire volunteers (each team must provide 2 volunteers) from local charities. The race gets its volunteers and money is poured into local charities. Win/Win! This year’s date is August 14-15, which lands it before most schools go get back in session.

All photos courtesy of Spokane to Sandpoint Relay.

1. Location – I love to travel and I very seldom go back to the same place. I also like to visit places that are slightly off the beaten path. This race starts in Spokane, Washington (on TOP of Mt. Spokane) and ends in Sandpoint, Idaho (right on a lake). I’ve never been in this part of the US and I’d love to see it.

2. Contests – Many relays have contests for best costumes and best decorated van, but Spokane to Sandpoint take it to a new level with contests during specific legs: Mt. Spokane Crazy Wig (leg 1), Brightest Running Outfit (leg 6), Road Noise Time Trial (leg 7), No-Li Awesome Costume Contest (leg 10), Picky Bars Tattoo and Mustache Contest (leg 12), Knuckle Lights Ultimate Raver Contest (leg 19), and Best Inactive Van Adventure.

3. Scenery – You start on a mountain, you run over some amazing bridges, you run on the Spokane River Centennial Trail, the North Idaho Centennial Trail system, and the Prairie Trail system and finish on the shore line of a lake.  Yeah, I’m sure there are some less lovely parts (all races have them), but this sounds like a lovely course.

4. Beer! – You knew this was coming, right? Spokane to Sandpoint has  3 breweries as sponsors: No Li Brewhouse, Laughing Dog Brewery, and Ghost Runners Brewery.  It appears that one of the exchanges is even at No Li.  You know that’s the exchange where I want to be finishing.

5. Discount – Spokane to Sandpoint offered up a $100 discount for me to use. Sadly, there’s not way I can be out there this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t!  Use code S2SRelay when you enter your team.  I can only hope that they’ll offer a discount when I can actually run!

Recaps I found:

Running from Cannolis

Run Birdie Run

Healthy Diva on the Run

Tim Chandonnet Photography

The Odd Cover Version

Do you have a bucket list of races? I’m feeling the need to work on mine as I can only manage a small number each year that involve travel.

[Tweet “Do you have a bucket list of races? Here’s one to add: #spokanetosandpont from @cascaderelays”]

I am, of course, linking up with the Friday Five: Cynthia, Mar, and Courtney.