Walla Trails & Community

Words are tough right now regarding the 10th year of Twilight 12 Hour (lack of sleep + emotional hangover), but Ben Wentz Photography did an amazing job capturing this special year.

Let's just say that the night-time running ranch magic was at an all time high. ✨♥️

https://benwentzphotography.pixieset.com/2026twilight12hour/

Today at Twilight 12 Hour headquarters✨

Did you know there's a sweet little shop at the ranch? Check out the Yellow Belle Trading Post before the loopiness begins tomorrow night or after breakfast Sunday!

WALLA WALLA 6 HOUR PHOTO ARE READY and did an incredible job capturing Walla Trails and Community's last year hosting this all women's event in Walla Walla.

The energy from volunteers and partners was amazing on April 11. A special shout out to the & for bringing the fun at the aid station, for the coveted hats, for the beautiful medals, and to local partners for their donations and support for the past 6 years.

Walla Trails and Community/Gretchen Walla have the honor of sharing that Walla Walla 6 Hour will continue under local race director Shannon Hoehna with - Shannon rearranged her spring break plans to help on race day, and showed she is the perfect person to take over. Shannon knew many runners, volunteers, and local partners and was gracious with her conversations while still jumping into action on multiple fronts.

All and all, it could not have been a better day to transition Walla Walla 6 Hour to its new home.

https://gallery.taryngrahamphoto.com/walla6hour2026/

Between the rolling green hills, blooming trees, and prizes we have gathered from partners, we are excited for year 6 of Walla Walla 6 Hour. Special shouts to:

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=> Tamástslikt Cultural Institute

Runners and volunteers, see you bright and early in the morning. It's going to be a special one.

One week before Walla & Walla reunite in Walla Walla to cheer on runners, reconnect with incredible volunteers, and celebrate our loopy creation c. 2019. ♥️🎉

📷: Taryn Graham

Registration opens tomorrow at 6:00am for the Golden 6 Hour. Come run in the mountains and then celebrate at Flying Horseshoe Guest Ranch...❤️ 🍂

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=137103

Things got STRANGE at Aid Station 1/5 at Chuckanut 50k this year!

A huge thank you to friends who agreed to help 500+ runners dressed up as Eleven, Hellfire Club, and Demogorgons. Also, thank you to the HAM radio operators, medical team, and crew/spectators for putting up with our Strange shenanigans. We had a blast and particularly enjoyed not having to pack up wet gear from Aid 1 => Aid 5 this year. 🤪

Congrats to all the runners who toed the line and to and for another incredible race held in our beloved Bellingham. ❤️

Giving our favorite golden loop one last go...

A week from today - Tuesday, March 24 - registration for the The Golden 6 Hour will open. It will be a low key event like Twilight 12 Hour - $45, potluck with fall favorites, tally your own loops, and a cool prize for the person who does the most amount of loops. There will also be a prize for best Golden costume, and each runner and volunteer will receive a raffle to win a Golden 6 Hour hoodie. Those should be out in the world, not in a storage room.

Following 6 hours on top of Blewett Pass will be a post-race potluck at , with Walla Trails providing the main dish (TBD). Nothing fancy - just come eat and celebrate/cheers seven amazing years of getting loopy. Not able to run the race but want to join the dinner? Heck yeah - bring a dish to share and a donation for Penny, the owner of Flying Horseshoe Ranch.

If this event is cancelled due to smoke or snow (because either is possible), there are no refunds but 50% will be donated to Flying Horseshoe Ranch. We owe a lot to Penny and her family - Walla Trails would not exist had Penny said no to Twilight 12 Hour 10 years ago.

So mark your calendars for 🍂October 10🍂 for a larch party!

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UPDATES FOR WALLA TRAILS FINAL YEAR:

=> Walla Walla 6 Hour - all runners have been invited off the waitlist! Make sure to check spam and either accept or decline the invite so we can accept any new registrations // about half way to our goal for the fundraiser 🙏

=> Twilight 12 Hour - we have 57 on the waitlist with 10 waiting to accept an invite. We will be removing those 10 this weekend if there's no decline or accept so check your spam and/or whatever email you use for Ultrasignup! The goal is to get everyone in who is currently on the waitlist and possibly any last minute registrations in April // also, DJ & hash brown station confirmed 🪩

=> Hamster Endurance Runs - in previous years, each race had a cap but for the final year, we are letting people sign-up for whichever race they'd like until full. WE HAVE TWO SPOTS TOTAL which would be a Hamster record if all distances filled up before April. It's going to be a party at Padden 🎉

=> Golden 6 Hour - we just got the greenlight to give this sweet little loop one last chance on October 10 so registration will open Tuesday, March 24. It will be a low key, potluck, fall, all-the-things on top of Blewett Pass and then at Flying Horseshoe Ranch because it's Walla Trails & Community's final event...and y'all, I need to unload those amazing hoodies! 🍂

https://wallatrails.com/

Something top of mind is how Walla Trails and Community can help support communities who have hosted our events one last time.

Regarding Walla Walla 6 Hour, there has always been a wine partner. Last year, we partnered with Vital Wines - a non-profit that focuses on improving "equity in access to healthcare for vineyard workers and their families through education, advocacy, and direct services".

Healthcare is near and dear to heart because everyone deserves affordable healthcare, especially in such a wealthy country, yet it's a struggle for so many.

Through the VITAL team, we learned that $1575 covers five vineyard workers with both exams and glasses. As someone who does not have eye insurance and wears glasses, I know how valuable, pricey, and essential this healthcare cost is.

And as someone who enjoys a sip of quality Walla Walla wine, it's important to recognize that wine would not exist without the hard work of vineyard workers.

For anyone who has ever been involved with Walla Walla 6 Hour - runners, volunteers, friends, family, partners - join me/Walla Trails and Community in either making a donation and/or sharing this fundraiser to help essential workers in the Walla Walla wine and tourism community.

https://www.mightycause.com/story/91umxe

Cheers,
Gretchen