- Since 1982 -

The first Hood To Coast Relay took place, August 7, 1982

How did Hood and Portland to Coast Relays come to be?

The first Hood To Coast Relay took place, August 7, 1982 on a full moon, with 8 teams of 10 runners. Simple spray paint marks were made on the road to indicate exchange points, exactly every five miles. A group of running friends, led by Bob Foote, were looking to test themselves in a fresh new challenge, and without knowing it, were making history.

Bob, with his incredible long distance running experience ( 35 marathons and 13 ultras) starting churning around ideas in his mind and came up with the idea of running from nearby Mount Hood, the backdrop for the City of Portland where his family lived, to another favorite weekend get-away…the beach! A group of running friends and competitors agreed to starting at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood and finishing in the quaint coastal town of Pacific City. As a dedicated runner, Bob knew it was something he and his fellow running enthusiasts would enjoy as a challenging, unique, and truly memorable experience!

Word eventually got out of the adventurous Hood To Coast Relay Bob and his friends would do each year, and the race began to take on a life of its own. As HTC grew, it necessitated safer exchange points with more ample parking, resulting in varying leg lengths that continue today. In 1989, the event outgrew capacity for the town of Pacific City and moved to the beachside community of Seaside, Oregon. The distance of the event then increased to 199 miles, with teams growing in size to 12 members, in order to accommodate the extra mileage.

Not only runners were interested in the relay, in 1990, Hood To Coast organizers were approached separately by two women asking to participate in the Hood To Coast as casual, non-competitive walk teams. Event organizers evaluated the logistics and feasibility, and came up with the idea of having the two teams start in downtown Portland, and travel from that point with the Hood To Coast course to Seaside. Along the course, a competitive fire was lit between the two teams and at that moment, although unofficially, the Portland To Coast Walk was born!
The next year, the Portland To Coast Walk Relay became official and has grown in popularity ever since. Each year it reaches the capacity of 400 teams. Walk teams take on an incredible challenge, and should be proud to be part of the Largest Walk Relay in the World and one of Oregon’s largest walking events of any kind!

In 1998, the Hood To Coast founder brought to fruition a long time desire to support high school youth in pursuing life-long fitness. Bob wanted an avenue, similar to Hood To Coast, for students such as his daughter, to participate in and enjoy as a team. Why should adults get to have all the fun anyway? Thus the High School Challenge Relay kicked off, with HTC underwriting the cost of entry to teams of kids, ages 18 and under. Since its start in 1998, the 50 team limit has been reached, with teams of 12 forming from high school cross country teams, groups of friends, church groups, and others from the Northwest and across the country! The High School Challenge runners enthusiasm for the race is contagious!

In 2006, Felicia Hubber, came on-board the Hood To Coast organization as Race Director, and continues today, overseeing event logistics, the incredible staff, and long term vision for the race. Felicia ran in Hood To Coast six times, and has attended or assisted in the race 35 of the last 38 years.

Today, the Hood and Portland To Coast Relays have filled their team limit for the last 29 years, and on “Opening Day” for the last 22 years! The “Mother of All Relays” looks to continue for many years to come, with a vision for adventure, equity, and continuous improvement at the forefront.

PAST

1986

PRESENT

2020

TIMELINE

What was HTC up to each year?

1982

Birth of Hood To Coast Relay, running from Mt. Hood to Pacific City, Oregon. Eight teams of 10 compete. Click to read a journal/blog from a member of the first year (and winning) HTC team!

1983

Team ‘Road Kill’ wins 165 mile relay in 15:29.

1984

‘PAC-NW’ wins 170 mile trek in 14:47.

150

1985

‘Portland Running Club’ wins in 14:43

237 teams

1986

Use of batons and commemorative medals begins. ‘Coastline Cruisers’ women win in 18:20, ‘Killer B’s’ men’s team wins in 14:37.

H2C grows to 408 teams

1987

‘Coastline Cruisers’ women and ‘Killer B’s’ men’s team maintain domination, come in first in their categories.

H2C hosts over 500 teams

1988

14:30 winning time by dominant H2C team, ‘The Killer B’s’. ‘Skedattlin’ Seattleans’ women’s team wins in 18:40.

H2C hosts over 500 teams

1989

Race outgrows capacity for Pacific City finish; moves to current location in Seaside. Requirement of three volunteers per local team set.

750 team limit set and met.

1990

“Electric Mile” along Waterfront Park in Portland awards runners with most outrageous outfit. Race seeding method revised.

750 team limit met

1991

10th Anniversary of H2C. Father/son duo completes the race (96 miles each). P2C Walk is launched thanks to the inspiration of two competitive women!

750 team limit met

1992

‘Black Flag’ team wins overall in 16:03 upsetting longtime winner, ‘The Killer B’s’.

750 team limit met

1993

lite wheelchair racing team participates in H2C.

750 team limit met

1994

MTV Rollerblade team allowed to participate one time only.

750 team limit met

1995

Nike & Alberto Salazar’s ‘Mambu Baddu’ elite team smashes H2C course record at 15:45:55, average of 4:51 per mile! Cindie McKenna runs first solo H2C!

750 team limit met

1996

Temporary bridge over Hwy 202 in Seaside created. Fundraising partnership with American Cancer Society begins. 15th year of Hood To Coast!

750 team limit met

1997

Volunteer Training session implemented. Mary Decker-Slaney runs on Nike Elite Women’s team, breaking record.

H2C grows to 875 teams

1998

H2C fills for the first time in one day. Hood To Coast website launched! ABC television one hour special on the race. P2C High School Challenge comes to fruition.

H2C meets 875 teams

1999

Five H2C category records set, eight P2CW category records set, including winning team who averaged walking 9:20 per mile.

H2C grows to 1,000 teams

2000

Oregon Governor Kitzhaber runs in H2C. ‘Caminata USA Racewalking’ walk team averages 9 minute miles. Couple married at race start, part of honeymoon spent running H2C. Five H2C category records set, P2C Walk course record smashed, High School Challenge course records set in all three categories!

H2C meets 1,000 teams

2001

H2C reaches milestone 20th year! The ‘High Fibres’ men’s walk team from B.C. Canada, breaks P2C walk record by over 4 hours, in 19:28!

H2C meets 1,000 teams

2002

2C Mixed Masters and P2C Walk Mixed Masters course records set.

H2C meets 1,000 teams

2003

Economic impact analysis shows H2C and P2C events result in more than $26 million for Oregon state economy.

H2C meets 1,000 teams

2004

12 countries represented with teams in Hood To Coast Relay.

H2C meets 1,000 teams

2005

P2C Walk celebrates its 15th birthday, ranked as the largest walking relay in the world!

H2C fills 1,000 teams

2006

H2C 25th Anniversary! Over $107,000 raised for American Cancer Society.

H2C fills 1,000 teams

2007

33 countries represented with teams in H2C. Green/sustainability initiatives launched (including on-course recycling). Race bib fundraising sticker program launched, helping raise $224,000 for American Cancer Society.

H2C fills 1,000 teams

2008

Film documenting the epic Hood To Coast and four teams is filmed during the race. $290,000 fundraised by participants, sponsors, race for American Cancer Society.

H2C fills 1,000 teams

2009

Hood To Coast maintains itself as the largest running relay in the world. $360,000 fundraised by participants, sponsors, race for American Cancer Society.

H2C fills 1,000 teams

2010

$500,000 fundraised to support the American Cancer Society! 20th anniversary P2C Walk Relay. OfficeMax becomes Title Sponsor of H2C.

H2C fills 1,000 teams

2011

30th Anniversary of The Mother of All Relays! ‘Hood To Coast’ movie is released for nationwide release to rave reviews. 4,100 volunteers, 576 Honey Bucket porta-potties. 20,400 runners and walkers. 35 countries and all 50 states represented. $517,000 raised for American Cancer Society.

H2C fills 1,000 teams

2012

Toyo University team flys in from Japan to handily win Hood To Coast. MuscleMilk becomes Title Sponsor of the P2C High School Challenge and LifeMap becomes Title Sponsor of P2C Walk Relay. A huge new record, $634,000 fundraised to support cancer research/patient advocacy programs.

H2C fills 1,000 teams

2013

Providence Cancer Institute becomes the Hood To Coast/Portland To Coast exclusive charity partner. Over $800,000 was raised to support cancer programs through the race, and a newly redesigned beach party was unveiled!

H2C fills 1,000 teams

2014

Olympic athletes, Ashton Eaton, Lopez Lomong, and Josh Cox participate in Hood To Coast. Over 2,800 teams applied for 1,050 entries on the one “Opening Day” of registration.

H2C fills 1,000 teams

2015

A year of 90 mph wind gusts at the beach caused the Finish Party to adapt to a new temporary scenario, finishing on the prom and down Broadway Avenue in Seaside. Participants first day brought mild weather, but on day 2 they braved 30-40 mph wind gusts on course and heavy rain..showing grit, determination and a positive spirit throughout!

H2C fills 1,000 teams

2016

An incredible relay weekend, with over $600,000 raised for the Providence Cancer Institute to help cancer research and patient programs, celebrities having a blast participating- like Kevin Hart,and the announcement of a partnership with Yao Ming’s Starz Sports to produce the first international H2C China in the coming year!

H2C fills 1,000 teams

2017

Hood To Coast traversed 199 miles and Portland To Coast 130 miles. Participants came from all 50 states and 43 countries! Over $750,000 was raised to help the Providence Cancer Institute research and patient advocacy programs. The inaugural and annual Hood To Coast China and HTC Taiwan Relays each took place to great fanfare!

H2C fills 1,000 teams

2018

The Hood & Portland To Coast Relay participants and organization helped fundraise over $850,000 to help residents affected by cancer with the Providence Cancer Institute. The annual Hood To Coast China, Taiwan, and Israel Relays were incredibly successful, and enthusiastically embraced by a broader audience, garnering international media attention.

H2C fills 1,000 teams

2019

Nearly $900,000 is raised to help immunotherapy research and patient programs with the Providence Cancer Institute! Two full teams of blind runners complete Hood To Coast, and the event becomes a Certified B Corp!

H2C fills 1,000 teams

2020

Global and domestic issues related to COVID-19 created the need to postpone The Mother of All Relays to the following year, for the first time ever. Virtual Movement created to incentivize participants and families to stay active throughout the year.

H2C fills 1,000 teams