RACE & REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Early Bird Pricing Through June 7th 

• Gold Grinder: $50 

• Silver Grinder: $50 

• Quartz Grinder: $40 

Pricing June 8th – July 20th

• Gold Grinder: $60 

• Silver Grinder: $60 

• Quartz Grinder: $50 

Pricing July 21st – August 7th

• Gold Grinder: $70 

• Silver Grinder: $70 

• Quartz Grinder: $60 

Day of Race Registration – August 10th 

• Gold Grinder: $90 

• Silver Grinder: $90 

• Quartz Grinder: $80 

This is a non-refundable race. Bib transfers are allowed. 

All participants will pick up their bib from the registration table outside Hope School starting at 8:00 AM on August 10th. All cyclists must show their helmets before they receive their bib.

Same day race day registration will be open from 8:00am-9:00am. Please bring cash, check, or credit card. Same day registration will close promptly at 9am. Anyone who signs up after 9am may still participate in the race and receive race day swag, but will not receive timed results. 

Before the race begins, participants will have access to two gear drops at Hope School, with one specifically designated for bikers and another for runners. Any gear deposited by bikers will be located at the race finish at the end of Palmer Creek Road. If you wish to drop gear for the bike race to have at the back of the Palmer Creek Road, you must do so by 9am. The gear drop vehicle will leave promptly at 9am. All runners gear will remain at the Hope School where the running races will both start and finish. 

Parking is limited so we ask that you carpool if possible. If you are a bicyclist staying somewhere in the Hope area please bike to the start of the race if you are able. 

The Hope School bathrooms/showers will be available for use and there are outhouses located at the Coeur d’Alene Campground (Mile 6 of Palmer Creek Rd.). 

• The Gold Grinder (11+ Mile Bike Race) starts at 9:30 AM: 

• NOTE: We will have 2 waves for the gold Grinder to prevent a traffic jam at the narrow turnoff at the beginning of the course toward the palmer creek road: Wave 1: 9:30am-Paracycle athletes; Wave 2: 9:35am-Non-paracycle athletes; Racers will be asked to stage themselves in the pack according to their anticipated pace. 

• The Silver Grinder (Half Marathon) starts at 9:45 AM 

• The Quartz Grinder (8.8 Mile Run) starts at 10:00 AM 

• NOTE: These start times may be adjusted slightly but no race will start before 9:30 AM. 

• The Gold Grinder is an uphill-only bike race for riders to grind up 1900’ over 11+ miles to the end of Palmer Creek Road. Racers will ride back to the Hope School after their race is complete. 

• The Silver Grinder is a 1/2 Marathon to the Nearhouse Mine Trail on Palmer Creek Road and back to Hope School. This is an out and back course. The first half is mostly an uphill, while the second half is mostly downhill along the switchbacks of the Palmer Creek Road. 

• The Quartz Grinder is an 8.8-mile round-trip run to the top of the switchbacks on Palmer Creek Road and back to the Hope School. This is an out and back course. The first half is mostly an uphill, while the second half is mostly downhill.

• The race turnarounds for the running races will be at Aid Station 1 at the top pf the switchbacks for the Quartz Grinder (8.5 Mile Run) and at Aid Station 2 by the Nearhouse Mine for the Silver Grinder (Half-Marathon). 

Gold Grinder 11+ Mile Course 

Half Marathon Course 

Quartz Grinder 8.8 Mile Course 

Remember you are in bear country so plan accordingly. Bear spray is recommended. 

There will be three aid stations available along Palmer Creek Road including: 

• Aid Station 1 – Top of switchbacks (8.5 Mile Turnaround)  

• Aid Station 2 – ½ Marathon Turn Around (Nearhouse Mine-Half-Marathon Turnaround) 

• Aid Station 3 – Coeur D’Alene Campground

• Aid Station 4 – End of Palmer Creek Road (Bike Finish) 

• All aid stations will be equipped with a basic first aid kit, water, and an inreach device/radio. If you see a fellow athlete get hurt, please put your neighbor first and stop to check on them. If i an injury is serious, please find your nearest aid station to report the incident so we can dispatch assistance. 

• We ask that all participants bring their own reusable means of carrying water. There will be water jugs available at all the aid stations, as well as disposable cups, but we encourage everyone to try to go as green as possible.  

Participants will have the opportunity to “work their claim” in honor of John Hirshey’s “Lucky Strike” mine, the most consistent lode gold (mined gold) producer of the Kenai Peninsula. For a chance to earn extra raffle tickets, participants will carry a bucket full of rocks at the end of their races. The bucket carry station will be located at the Hope School and can be completed after your race. 

• There will be snacks and water available at the end of all races.  

• An afterparty will be held at the Creekbend Cafe starting at ~1:30 PM. All participants will receive their raffle ticket and Mineshaft Grinder custom SWAG at this time. 

• Awards will be given to the top female and male finishers at the after party.  

• You must be present to win raffle prizes. All participants receive one raffle ticket for registering for the race.

All participants will receive one custom race SWAG item. This year we have three options to choose from: a) custom neck gaiters with a topo map of Hope and the race course, b) custom hip bags also featuring a topo map of Hope and the race course, and c) custom-designed  hats from last year (limited quantity left). Additional SWAG will be available for purchase on race day if desired via cash, check, or credit card.