Runners of the 44th Annual Hood to Coast relay race descended on Seaside beach early Saturday morning.
Dubbed the “Mother of all Relays,” the Providence Hood to Coast Relay finished on Seaside Beach starting early Saturday morning on Aug. 29.
The two-day race traditionally has about 20,000 runners and walkers participating in two events: Hood to Coast Relay and Portland to Coast Walk Relay. They start out on Friday and include participants from all 50 states and over 40 countries.
The Hood to Coast and Portland to Coast relay teams consist of 12 participants per team who take turns, running or walking. For the Hood to Coast runners, that’s a total of 199 miles from Timberline Lodge in Mt. Hood to Seaside’s beach. For those in the Portland to Coast Walk Relay, the race is a little shorter at 128 miles. Regardless of whether running or walking, the races are not intended to be a competition. They are more for a fun day of running or walking with friends and family members for a good cause.
Since 2014, the Providence Cancer Institute has been the primary beneficiary of Hood to Coast and Portland to Coast fundraising. Throughout that time, participants and volunteers have raised over $9.4 million with 100% of the funds used to support cancer research, treatment and support services in Oregon.
On Saturday, Seaside locals were awakened around 6:30 a.m. when the first batch of runners stormed Seaside beach. Many participants were dressed in cute, funny or clever costumes and spectators greeted them, waving signs to support their teams. Cars were parked every which way hoping to catch a view of the action. This event is the last major one of the year for Seaside as the community will soon be treated to the blessings of fall and winter weather.
Once every team crossed the finish line, the party started.
Record setting day at the beach
Once again, team Lost Boys took home the victory in the Men’s Open division after blazing the course in a record time of 17:27:38 or a race pace of 5:20 per mile. The team was co-founded by marathoner Tim Rossi. After breaking the course record in 2024, the Lost Boys ripped apart the course in 2026 — with a finishing time more than one minute faster than their record-breaking feat two years ago.
They weren’t alone in their demolition derby as six other teams ran faster than the 5:40 mile pace the Lost Boys set in 2024. Team DDMF TC came home second in a time of 17 hours and 48 minutes; the Bowerman Track Club won first place in the Mixed Corporate Open division with a time of 17 hours and 57 minutes; and the Michigan Running Club, Dojo of Pain, RMTC and Run Long and Prosper teams all ran at a 5:40 mile pace or better as well.
For the Womens Open Division, the team VO2 Min took home first place in a time of 21 hours and 20 seconds. They held on to beat second place team Doja, who finished only four seconds behind them in 21 hours and 24 seconds. Team VOS clocked a 6:31 mile pace and Doja was at 6:33 for the 199 miles.
Team Loud and Proud took home the victory in the Portland To Coast Walking Relay in a time of 23 hours and 57 minutes. Loud and Proud won the Mens Open Division, Reshod Squad via Reshod Walking Shoes won the Mixed Submasters, Stale Buns won the Mixed Masters and Manic Mommies were victorious in the Women’s Open division in a time of 26 hours and 23 minutes.
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