08.25.25
The Hood to Coast relay is always a feat. But this year in particular? We had to fight against record-breaking 101-degree heat—and the fear that came with it. Can we do this? Will we survive? Are we capable? All questions we were asking each other, and ourselves looking down the barrel of the 200-mile race. But as stated above, we are a team after all. Not just Van 1 and Van 2, but the entire Hood to Coast community of relay runners. At any given moment, you saw humans checking in on fellow humans—handing off water, cold towels, electrolytes, and even a quick cooldown from a drive-by squirt gun.
The best part of Hood to Coast, in my opinion, is the undeniable commiseration bonding that happens in an experience so different from everyday life. You’re asked to run 15–19 miles over the course of about 30 hours, with maybe 2–4 hours of interrupted sleep thanks to van headlights, car alarms, and distant cheers. And yet, somehow, you quickly forget all the pain as you’re setting your alarm to sign up for next year. All you remember are the delirious laughs, 2 a.m. PB&Js, and the motivating teammates who persevered.
As the only female in a van full of stinky, sweaty men, I was proud to represent and happily took on the self-appointed role of caretaker—reminding everyone to hydrate, take electrolytes, walk if needed, and stay positive. Once we finally reached Seaside after what felt like a days-long road trip, I told my hobbling teammates something I knew would get a rise out of them: “I actually feel great.” And just like that, I almost had to run solo back to Portland.
Mies Van Der Run crushed this year’s relay. Despite the heat, the lack of sleep, and only having one female on the team ;), we finished in 29 hours, in the top 25%, and nailed our pace down to the second. There was no lack of support—at every turn someone was driving, sleeping, cooling down the van, or dumping water on one of the overheated runners, all in the effort to keep the team moving forward and in one piece. Our team proved that whether in the office or in the forest, this group knows how to work together—and have fun doing it.