With summer training in full swing, Peninsula Adventure Sports is encouraging athletes to register for the 2026 Big Hurt, one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier multi-sport endurance events, set to take place on September 26 in Port Angeles, Washington. The race combines mountain biking, kayaking, road cycling and running in a demanding test of endurance and teamwork.
The Big Hurt offers competitors the choice of racing solo in the Iron Division or competing as relay teams of two to four members. Organisers expect the Iron Division to fill quickly, with participation capped at 75 individual athletes and 75 teams.
The race begins with a 16-mile mountain bike leg, including off-road trails and downhill roads, followed by a 2.6-mile kayak section across Port Angeles Harbor. Participants then tackle a 30-mile road cycling course before finishing with a 10-kilometre run along the scenic waterfront trail. Unlike many endurance events, all transition zones are located at Pebble Beach Park, creating a festival-like atmosphere for racers and spectators alike.
New for the 2026 edition is a First Responders Team category, open to active and retired military personnel, police officers, firefighters and emergency medical service members. Existing categories include Open, Masters, High School and Tandem divisions, giving participants of varying ages and abilities the opportunity to compete.
Originally launched in 1997, the Big Hurt returned in 2015 after a decade-long hiatus and has since become a signature event for the region’s outdoor sports community. Organisers say the race is designed to challenge athletes while showcasing the natural beauty of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.
The event weekend will also feature the Little Hurt, a youth version of the race, along with the Banff Mountain Film Festival, offering families and adventure enthusiasts a packed schedule of outdoor activities.
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