The Ruff - Carson, WA
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The Ruff - Nov 23, 2025
The Ruff is a trail race held at the Dog Mountain Trailhead near Carson, WA, in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The event distance is 7 miles. The course offers views of the Columbia River, Mt Hood and Mt St. Helens. Registration closes Fri, Nov 21 at 11:59 PM PT. Bib pickup is available the morning of the race at the Dog Mountain Trailhead; parking is limited and carpooling is encouraged.
Course, awards and services
The course starts and finishes at the Dog Mountain Trailhead and is run entirely on single-track trails. Runners ascend 3 miles with about 3,000 ft of elevation gain to the summit via Dog Mountain Trail, then descend 4 miles to the finish on the Augspurger Trail. Awards are given to the top three male and female finishers and top masters male and female. First place male and female receive a pair of Altra trail shoes. Additional awards include King/Queen of the Mountain for first male and female, and a Downhill award for the fastest male and female downhill time; an individual may win only one award. Beer will be provided by Ninkasi Brewing Company and a complimentary lunch is provided for racers; spectator entry is $10. Dogs are not allowed. The race operates under a special use permit in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Elevated Trail Racing LLC follows USDA non-discrimination policy. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.