The Beast of Big Creek Skyrace will take place this Saturday, August 1st, on the steep flanks of Mount Ellinor in Washington State’s Olympic Mountains, marking a milestone moment for skyrunning in North America. As Race 12 of the 2026 Merrell Skyrunner® World Series, Beast of Big Creek stands as the series’ only North American stop this year, bringing an elite international field to Lake Cushman for a true test of climbing power and technical descending.
A CLASSIC MOUNTAIN TEST
Beast of Big Creek is a loop-format Skyrace® spanning 22 km with more than 1,600 meters of elevation gain, run entirely on the slopes above Lake Cushman near Hoodsport, Washington. The course follows one of the Olympic Mountains’ best-known steep summit routes, climbing through dense forest to timberline before breaking out into open meadows and exposed alpine terrain, with sweeping views over Lake Cushman and Puget Sound from the true summit of Mount Ellinor.
The organizers describe the experience as mountain running above the clouds — a fitting description for a route that rises steadily from the trees into rugged, wide-open high country.
Runners can expect a relentlessly steep profile throughout: rooted and shaded lower woodland trail, rocky and exposed upper mountain ground near the summit, and fast, technical Pacific Northwest singletrack on the descent. This is a course built for strong climbers and confident descenders — a race that rewards runners who thrive on steep, honest mountain terrain rather than smooth, runnable trail.
ELITE FIELD READY TO RACE
The women’s elite field features:
- Kalie McCrystal (CAN)
- Natalie Beadle (GBR) — Arc’teryx
- Claudia Corral (ESP) — Scarpa
- Courtney Coppinger (USA) — Brooks
- Robin Viera (USA) — Oiselle
- Eve Pannone (GBR) — Brooks
- Ainhoa Garikano (ESP) — Basque EMF
- Carmen Graves (USA) — Merrell
The men’s elite field features:
- Jose Manuel Quispe (PER) — Merrell
- Daniel Antonioli (ITA) — Scarpa
- Jackson Cole (NZL) — La Sportiva
- Morgan Elliot (USA) — Merrell
- Josh Potvin (USA) — Merrell
- Oier Zubeldia (ESP) — Basque EMF
- Brandon Miller (CAN) — Merrell
- Cole Campbell (USA) — Adidas Running
Saturday’s event also includes the U23 Trofeo Esteban Olivero, spotlighting the sport’s next generation of mountain running talent alongside the senior elite race.
RACE DETAILS
- Race: Beast of Big Creek Skyrace® — Merrell Skyrunner® World Series, Race 12 of 2026
- Location: Mount Ellinor, Olympic Mountains, near Hoodsport, Washington (above Lake Cushman)
- Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
- Start time: 7:00 AM local time
- Distance: 22 km
- Elevation gain: 1,600+ meters
- Also featured: U23 Trofeo Esteban Olivero
For more information, full race details, and live updates, visit beastofbigcreek.com.
