2026 Relay Info
Hood & Portland to Coast
The Providence Hood & Portland To Coast Relays is the most popular and largest running and walking relay race in the world, annually drawing participants from over 40 countries and all 50 states. Known as the Mother of All Relays, the event takes 8 to 12 member relay teams 196 miles or 128 miles (from Portland) from the iconic top of Mount Hood to the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. The event has sold-out for 37 straight years and on lottery opening day for 32 consecutive years!
We look forward to celebrating the 44th annual Providence Hood To Coast & 35th annual Providence Portland To Coast Walk with you!
Join US
August 28th-29th, 2026
Event Handbooks
All of your event logistics questions can be found in your event handbook. From course maps to race rules, awards to safety tips, and everything in between, the handbook answers all your questions about the Mother of All Relays!
Be sure to periodically check-in and download an updated version of the handbook. Due to the nature of this 127-196 mile long event, we are consistently updating our handbook to reflect course changes.
2026 Relay Key Dates
May 1st
Available to order online via the Team Clubhouse. Pick-up extra medals at the Finish Party.
JUNE 5TH
Size and quantity that you have on your roster on this date is what you will receive at packet pick-up. Any t-shirts submitted after this date will receive remaining sizes that are available. Available online via the team clubhouse. Pick-up extra t-shirts at the Finish Party.
JUNE 19TH
Teams must have a minimum of 8 members on their roster to participate.
JUNE 19TH
After this day, adds/subs to your team roster are $20 per person or $25 per person on race day at the Start Line. Add teammates to your team roster in the Team Clubhouse.
JUNE 19TH
A minimum of 8 team members must update their most accurate race pace by this date in order to receive a start time. Submit your most accurate/up-to-date race pace in the Team Clubhouse.
JULY 7th
Local Teams Begin Inviting your Three (3) REQUIRED volunteers- Starting at 10am PST, check your Team Clubhouse account for the “Add Volunteer” button.
Invite your volunteers to the volunteer portal via email (verify with volunteers that they have received this email).
JULY 8TH
Starting at 8am PST, volunteers will follow the registration link in the email that was sent. We highly recommend using Google Chrome OR Safari and not attempting to register via smartphone (please use an iPad or laptop/PC).
JULY 10th
Last Day to Update Emergency Contact info within Team Clubhouse. Also – Last Day for Team Name Changes- Your team name will be printed on your race bib on this date.
AUGUST 6TH
Volunteer Training Closes- Closing at 11:59pm. Volunteers who have completed the online training and have NOT selected a volunteer position will be randomly assigned to a position on 8/2. These random job assignments CANNOT BE CHANGED once assignments are issued.
AUGUST 8TH
Packet Hold Issued to Local Teams with Fewer than Three (3) Volunteers- These teams will NOT be able to pick up their race bag at packet pickup. Race bags include necessary materials to participate in the event will be held until 3 volunteers have been confirmed.
AUGUST 10TH
Start Times Posted – Login to your Team Clubhouse account to view.
AUGUST 12TH-14TH
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: (9:00AM – 2:00PM)
Hood & Portland To Coast Office (7236 SW Durham Road Suite 800, Portland, OR 97224)
Pick up your awesome race shirts, important event reminders, race bibs, van signs and sponsor swag!
AUGUST 24TH
Team Pre-Check Presented by Alaska Airlines Opens 6:00AM PST via The HTC App.
AUGUST 27TH
Team Pre-Check Presented by Alaska Airlines Closes 12:00 PM PST.
AUGUST 28TH-29TH
The 43rd annual Hood To Coast & 34th annual Portland To Coast Walk Relay Race Day! Rock The Mother of All Relays!
AUGUST 29TH
HTC and PTC Relays Women’s, Men’s, and Mixed Category Winning Teams Announced & Providence Cancer Institute Fundraising Totals (5:15pm on Main Stage at The Finish Line).
Awards for Top 6 teams in each category are provided anytime on Saturday eve, 6:30pm-8:00pm at the ‘INFO’ Tent next to HTC and PTC Letters backdrop on the beach for the Hood & Portland To Coast Relays.
Rules & Safety
When you receive your official race bib, please fill out the important emergency contact information on the back. This is a requirement for all team members to complete before starting the relay.
From 6:00pm – 7:00am, participating runners & walkers must:
*Carry a flashlight (headlight or similar)
*Wear one front and one back LED flasher.
*Wear a reflective vest (vest must be worn until 9:00am)
Teammates/support personnel are highly recommended to wear a reflective vest and LED flasher (when not inside the race vehicle), on the course or at any exchange, from 6:00pm – 9:00am. All participants are encouraged to wear high visibility colors during all hours.
Download/print additional signs for your team vehicle! ‘Caution Runners on Road‘ or ‘Caution Walkers on Road‘
Teams or participants found sleeping in un-designated sleeping areas (such as exchange parking) MUST move to one of the designated sleeping areas (Exchange 18, 24, and 30) or risk being disqualified.
Participants are allowed to use small tents in designated sleeping fields – except Exchange 30!
If participants do not agree to move to a designated sleeping area (roped off with stakes and caution/surveyor’s tape), they will be disqualified from the race. This is a safety issue of high importance.
Alaska Airlines is pleased to present the #AlaskaCarelines Campout at Exchange 24! All Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ Members will get exclusive access to a two-person tent while you catch some Z’s before heading off to the next exchange. Just show your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ number to the attendant in order to enter. Valid forms of Mileage Plan numbers include an Alaska Airlines credit card (physical or apple wallet) or Mileage Plan number in the Alaska Airlines app. Not a Mileage Plan Member? No problem! Visit their website to sign up in less than 2 minutes.
Music devices with speakers below the head or outside of the ear are highly encouraged, while headphones or buds in the ear are discouraged. Participants must still be able to hear instructions and general traffic noises.
If a Volunteer or Race Official deems the music too loud, the participant must turn down the volume immediately. Failure to comply will result in immediate disqualification.
The race hires a bike safety patrol to monitor Springwater Trail/Waterfront Park from legs 10-13, as well as a motorcycle safety patrol with riders from Legs 13-35 for the entire race. They will be wearing race official shirts, a reflective vest, LED flashers and have event radios for communication if needed.
Oregon State Law clearly states that no open containers of alcohol are permitted within vehicles. Save the celebration for the Finish Party! Police will be strongly enforcing this law on the course.
The Race Course and Finish Area will close Saturday evening at 9:00pm.
Any teams still on the course at that time will be requested by Race Officials to either discontinue the race, or plan on finishing by having more than one teammate run at the same time, called “Leap Frogging.”
All teams are seeded to finish before the course officially closes, provided your team has supplied honest race pace times.
No traffic or police monitors are promised to protect runners and walkers from vehicular traffic along the course.
Great care must be exercised at all times by participants and team vehicles.
Participants must travel along the right road shoulder or sidewalk (unless otherwise stated), and obey all Oregon traffic laws and signals.
Self-policing of our event is the reason we will have a lack of injuries or traffic-related mishaps.
Teams are responsible for supplying an adequate first aid kit to treat: blisters, abrasion, headaches, heat exhaustion, and other common ailments. Most running & walking injuries are directly related to soft tissue trauma and are effectively treated with ice.
We strongly recommend bringing a cooler filled with ice (remember R.I.C.E: Rest Ice Compression Elevation).
We’re proud to partner with ColdVest for the 2024 Hood and Portland To Coast Relays. The safety of our participants and volunteers is always our number one priority. That is why we have decided to place five ColdVests on course to protect from the effects of heat stroke and exhaustion. These vests are portable and require no ice or electricity making them easy to deploy in an emergency. Learn more about ColdVest and grab one for your team here.
There will be a radio at every exchange point along the race course. If you see anyone in need of assistance, please get their race number, and if possible, let the Exchange Leader with a radio know at the next Exchange Point. They are capable of bringing in an ambulance or even Life Flight if necessary.
In case of emergency, (Start, on course roads, or at Finish), it is each participant/team’s responsibility to seek their own appropriate medical/emergency care. Remember to write your emergency medical info where provided on the back of your race bib!
Attached here is our Tsunami Evacuation Route Map if needed while at the beach.
Let’s all do our part to reduce the chance of a forest or grass fire! Each team vehicle should carry a fire extinguisher, shovel, and gallon(s) of water.
No aid stations guaranteed along the course.
Participants are strongly urged to carry large containers of water in team vehicles!
Most important step you can take during the race is to continuously hydrate (drink non-caffeinated fluids and water).
Recommended intake: 12-16 cups of water per day.
30 MINUTE PENALTIES
Race Numbers/Wrist Wraps
Race bibs must be worn at all times, and the Wrist Wrap must be carried/worn at all times throughout the race.
No stopping on road or in exchange parking area prior to parking
No stopping, when vehicles are moving, to drop off a runner/walker. This quickly causes a backup of congestion if vans do not adhere to the rule.
Vehicles Following Participants
No vehicles will be allowed to follow behind participants to illuminate the road during night-time legs. These vehicles severely impede traffic.
Conduct on Race Course
Any conduct deemed unsafe or unsportsmanlike by Race Officials will not be tolerated. Do not obstruct traffic, play loud music, yell, or honk horns early in the morning or at night in rural/neighborhood areas. Also, no van decorations that are overtly suggestive, sexual, or that contain foul language.
No Parking on Road Prior to Exchange
No parking is allowed along the roads within 500 feet prior to an exchange. Parking is allowed in designated areas only after the exchange point marker. Please park off the road as far as possible, watch for participants, and stay alert to other traffic.
60 MINUTE PENALTY
Participant Rotation
All teams are to rotate their team members in the same sequence throughout the race, not consecutively in a row. For example, if a participant begins on Leg 2, he/she must stay in the number 2 position throughout the race. The participant would then rotate to Leg 8.This sequence should continue unless a teammate has dropped out.)
Mixed Division Participant Drop Out
If a participant on a Mixed Division team becomes injured and drops out during a leg, the injured runner/walker must be replaced with the next team member in rotation of the same gender. (See handbook for additional details and examples.)
Participant Drop Out
If a team member drops out due to injury or illness during a leg, only the next runner/walker in rotation can take the wrist wrap to continue, (but only to the next exchange point.) The next person in rotation can only finish the unfinished portion of the previous leg and go no further. A handoff must occur at the exchange point to the next participant in rotation. No more than one substitution in one leg is allowed. (See handbook for additional details and examples.)
Race Officials
Course volunteers, O.D.O.T, and traffic safety officials at exchanges are considered Race Officials. They have the authority to disqualify a team for rule violations, abusive behavior, or failure to follow instructions given by volunteers. Abusive treatment of disregard for their authority will result, at minimum, in a 60-minute penalty.
Display of Team Vehicle Signs
Each team is to have one (1) vehicle on the race course at a time. Official vehicle signs will be issued to each team (in the team bag given at packet pickup or the race check-in tent). A 60-minute penalty will be assessed for failure to properly display these signs. A team found with more than one vehicle on the race course will be disqualified.
DISQUALIFICATION
Safety Gear
From 3:00am-7:00am and after 6:00 pm, all participants on the course must:
– Carry a flashlight (headlamp or similar)
– Wear one front and one back LED flasher.
– Wear reflective vest until 9:00am
Save the Party for the Finish!
Open alcoholic containers, drinking, inebriated participants or volunteers on the course will immediately be disqualified.
No Bicycles or Dogs
No bicycles or dogs are allowed to accompany participants on the race course. Team members found biking the course are assumed to be accompanying participants and the team will be disqualified.
Public Nuisance Rule
Participants who are reported to have littered, urinated, or defecated on private property will immediately be disqualified. Please use good judgment and be considerate of property owners along the course. Portable toilets and ample garage containers are provided at each exchange point.
No Oversize Vehicles
Vehicles must not exceed 93” wide x 276” long x 107” high. Motor homes, buses, and limos are NOT allowed on the course by any team or team support. If you have doubts about the legality of your vehicle, contact the HTC/PTC office prior to the relay.
Start Time
Any teams found starting the race earlier than their assigned start time will be disqualified.
HTC Event FAQ
The 2026 Lottery is on October 1st!
Anywhere from 8-12 runners or walkers are on a team. It just depends on how many miles you want to run/walk! With 12 teammates, HTC team members will run 3 legs, or 2 legs for a Portland To Coast team.
Your team of 8-12 runners/walkers will go in relay hand-off fashion from Start to Finish. The event has 36 sections called “Legs”. At each of the 35 hand off locations (called “Exchanges”) your runner or walker will hand off to the next teammate in rotation until everyone has run three legs (or walked two legs).
HTC/PTC has event blue/yellow signage and/or volunteers or hired flaggers at major crossings and turns. You should study your assigned legs to know your route in advance.
You and your teammates sleep in either your team van or designated sleeping fields that are gated/roped off at Exchange 18, 24 and 30. Get your sleeping bags, pillows and foam pads to catch a few winks if you can. It’s all part of the challenge and adventure!
#AlaskaCarelines Campout
Alaska Airlines is pleased to present the #AlaskaCarelines Campout at Exchange 24! All Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ Members will get exclusive access to a two-person tent while you catch some Z’s before heading off to the next exchange. Just show your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ number to the attendant in order to enter. Valid forms of Mileage Plan numbers include an Alaska Airlines credit card (physical or apple wallet) or Mileage Plan number in the Alaska Airlines app. Not a Mileage Plan Member?! No problem! Click this link to sign up in less than 2 minutes.
Yes, most likely. It is a favorite leg for many runners/walkers surprisingly! The relay spans 24-36 hours, so if you’re running after 6PM and before 7AM, be sure to wear a headlamp, reflective vest and a front and back LED flasher.
Start times range anywhere from 2am-2pm. Please plan your travel accordingly. Start times will be announced early August. We are unable to take start time requests. Start times are FINAL and cannot be changed.
Teams will receive a slap band bracelet that they will pass from teammate to teammate at each exchange. Official slap bands are given at team start check-in once safety gear has been approved. If you lose it, a simple air or hand tag in the exchange chute will suffice. An official timing chip is on the back of the 12th runner’s/walker’s bib.
Please check the handbook for the latest information regarding showers on course.
If an injury takes place before the relay, simply drop the current teammate from your roster in the team clubhouse and invite your replacement teammate.
If an injury takes place during the event, rotate to the next teammate and continue in the same order, just moving the next runner/walker up in rotation. For more rules & information, please download the latest handbook.
Please visit our Team Matching Forum site
Legs noted are not encouraged for athletes using wheeled devices or hand cycles:
Legs 1, 2, 3: paved but extremely steep downhill, descending 4,500 ft. elevation in approximately 15 miles.
Leg 9: over 4 (of 5.38) miles is rough fairly large gravel/rocks (from start of Springwater Trail to Hogan Road).
Legs 19, 20, 21, 22, 35: rough rocky gravel.
Legs 29, 30: very little shoulder and steep up and down hill with many twisting curves in road).
Leg 36: The last 150 feet of Leg 36, crossing the Finish Line is on the sandy beach. Beach access wheelchairs are available for free by reservation here!
For any additional questions, please refer to the event handbooks or contact us.
Other Resources
Join our club on Strava! Check out what others are doing to train for the Mother of All Relays and post your own progress.
Keep up with the latest on the 2026 Hood and Portland To Coast Relay by joining our event.
Awards & Categories
Overall Awards for HTC and PTC Relays Women’s, Men’s, and Mixed Winning Teams will be announced on August 23rd on the beach.
Category Awards will be available for pick up on Saturday, August 23rd on the beach from 6:30PM-8:00PM at the ‘Info’ Tent with photographer in front of HTC and PTC cut outs for pictures. The top 6 teams in each category for HTC & PTC Walk get to bypass the following year’s lottery and get automatic entry as well!
Your Team Category should automatically change as you add team members to your roster in the clubhouse. For any additional questions, please contact us.
Hood To Coast Category Awards
| HTC Mens Open | Majority males, any age, at least one runner under 30. |
| HTC Mens Submasters | Majority males, minimum age of all runners is 30. |
| HTC Mens Masters | Majority males, minimum age of all runners is 40. |
| HTC Mens Super Masters | Majority males, minimum age of all runners is 50. |
| HTC Corporate Mens Open | Majority males, any age and ALL from the same business. |
| HTC Womens Open | any age, at least one runner under 30. |
| HTC Womens Submasters | All females, minimum age of all runners is 30. |
| HTC Womens Masters | All females, minimum age of all runners is 40. |
| HTC Womens Super Masters | All females, minimum age of all runners is 50. |
| HTC Corporate Womens Open | All females, any age and ALL from the same business. |
| HTC Mixed Open | At least half of the team members must identify as women or non-binary, Any age with at least one runner under 30 |
| HTC Mixed Submasters | At least half of the team members must identify as women or non-binary, Minimum age of all runners is 30 |
| HTC Mixed Masters | At least half of the team members must identify as women or non-binary, Minimum age of all runners is 40 |
| HTC Mixed Super Masters | At least half of the team members must identify as women or non-binary, Minimum age of all runners is 50 |
| HTC Corporate Mixed Open | At least half of the team members must identify as women or non-binary, Any age and ALL from the same business |
| HTC Mens Champion Masters | Majority males, minimum age of all participants is 60. |
| HTC Womens Champion Masters | All females, minimum age of all participants is 60. |
| HTC Mixed Champion Masters | At least half of the team members must identify as women or non-binary, minimum age of all participants is 60 |
| HTC Non-Binary Open | At least half of the team identify as non-binary or other self identification (age categories prompted as teammates register) |
| Women’s Elite | any age, average registered & actual finish pace of 6:10 per mile or under. |
| Mens Elite | any age, average registered & actual finish pace of 5:10 per mile or under. |
Portland To Coast Category Awards
| PTC Mens Open Walking | All male walkers, any age. |
| PTC Mens Masters Walking | All males, minimum age of all walkers is 40. |
| PTC Womens Open Walking | All female walkers, any age. |
| PTC Womens Masters Walking | All females, minimum age of all walkers is 40. |
| PTC Mixed Open Walking | Any age and at least half of the team members must identify as women or non-binary |
| PTC Mixed Masters Walking | Minimum age of all walkers is 40 and at least half of the team members must identify as women or non-binary |
| PTC Mens Supermasters Walking | All males, minimum age of all walkers is 50. |
| PTC Womens Super Masters Walking | All females, minimum age of all walkers is 50. |
| PTC Mixed Super Masters Walking | Minimum age of all walkers is 50 and at least half of the team members must identify as women or non-binary |
| PTC Corporate Mixed Walking | Any age and ALL from the same business and at least half of the team members must identify as women or non-binary |
| PTC Corporate Mens Walking | All males, any age and ALL from the same business. |
| PTC Corporate Womens Walking | All females, any age and ALL from the same business. |
| PTC Mens Champion Masters Walking | All males, minimum age of all participants is 60. |
| PTC Womens Champion Masters Walking | All females, minimum age of all participants is 60. |
| PTC Mixed Champion Masters Walking | At least half of the team members must identify as women or non-binary, minimum age of all participants is 60. |
| PTC Mens Submasters Walking | All males, minimum age of all runners is 30. |
| PTC Non-Binary Open | At least half of the team identify as non-binary or other self identification (age categories prompted as teammates register) |
| PTC Womens Submasters Walking | All females, minimum age of all runners is 30. |
| PTC Mixed Submasters Walking | At least half of the team members must identify as women or non-binary, Minimum age of all runners is 30. |
HTC& PTC Finishers Through The Years
Travel & Accommodations
Check the Team Clubhouse for your personalized 10% off Alaska discount link!
As a HTC/PTC participant, AC Hotels in Portland is offering you an exclusive discount on your stay! Book your group rate for Hood To Coast Runner’s Block 2026!
*Reservations must be booked by July 24th to receive discounted rates. Valid on bookings between August 23th-August 31th.
Thank you to our sponsors
