The Cascade Lakes Relay is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most epic endurance adventures. The 216-mile course begins at Diamond Lake Resort in the shadow of Mount Thielsen and winds through the Oregon Outback, rural agricultural country, and remote high desert before climbing back into the Cascade Lakes Highway and finishing at Riverbend Park in Bend’s Old Mill District. Teams see more cows than semi-trucks and smell ponderosa pines instead of exhaust. The 36 legs range from barely 2 miles to nearly 11 miles, averaging 6 miles per runner.<\/p>\n
The 19th Annual Cascade Lakes Relay takes place June 26-27, 2026. Standard teams consist of 12 runners, each running three legs for approximately 18 miles total over the relay. Teams of 6-11 runners, ultra teams of 2-6, and Walk Relay teams are also welcome. The CLR 24 is a shorter version. The relay begins at Diamond Lake Resort, where a packet pick-up BBQ dinner with live music and sunset toasts takes place on June 25th. Register via cascaderelays.com.<\/p>\n
The Cascade Lakes Relay is a bucket-list Oregon experience. Running through the night in the Oregon high desert, with a billion stars overhead and Mount Bachelor lit by moonlight, creates the kind of story runners tell for decades. The camaraderie built over 30+ hours in a van with 11 teammates is unlike anything else in the running world. The finish in Bend’s Old Mill District \u2014 after a day and night of effort \u2014 is one of the most emotional race finishes in the Pacific Northwest.<\/p>\n
Register and submit projected finish times well before the May 1st deadline \u2014 start times are assigned based on projected pace. Each runner needs reflective gear for night legs. Pack food, warm layers, and sleeping bags for van time between legs. The pre-race dinner at Diamond Lake Resort on June 25th is a wonderful way to meet other teams.<\/p>\n