BIG BUTTE CHALLENGE

How is it different from other “virtual” events these days?

The bulk of virtual events require participants to run a specific distance (10K, Half Marathon, Marathon) but are allowed to run on their own chosen course.   The biggest difference with this event is that all participants complete the exact same Butte Challenge route, but on their own! In other words, you are hiking “with or racing “against” other participants on the same course, just not necessarily at the same time.

How does it work?

• Participants can register for all of the Challenges, or just one.
• Register for the Big Butte Challenge on our RaceManager site.
  • Early Bird Pricing (before March 20):
    • $60 per person for all 5 butte challenges
    • $20 per person for 1 butte challenge
  • Regular Pricing (March 20 – May 31):
    • $80 per person for all 5 butte challenges
    • $25 per person for 1 butte challenge
  • Both registration options include a custom neck gaiter, one free beer at all participating breweries and more perks from our sponsors!
• The Big Butte Challenge consists of 5 butte challenges; participants can complete the challenges in any order, as many times as they like, within the 10-week timeframe.
• You’re competing against other hikers and/or runners, just not at the same time.
• Course routes are set one-way, from the trailhead to the summit.  Only your uphill effort to the summit is tracked and recorded to the leaderboard.   Once you reach the summit you can enjoy the spectacular views, take pictures, eat a snack and make your way down the butte at your leisure… You may even decide to take a different way back!
• With the exception of Awbrey Butte which is an out and back along the Deschutes River Trail with beautiful views along the way.
• If you aren’t familiar with the Challenge route, load the Challenge onto your device by downloading it from the webpage prior to your attempt.
• You don’t need to start/stop your activity tracker at the start/finish point of each Challenge. Your Challenge effort will automatically be recorded the moment you arrive at the start/finish point.
• Track Challenge effort using your GPS-enabled activity tracker or smartphone.
• Sync efforts by either exporting a GPX file from your activity tracker or smartphone.  You can also automatically sync using your Strava account.
• You must register for the Challenge before your attempt for it to count in the standings (i.e. no running or hiking first and then registering)
• You must follow the published Challenge route closely.  If you deviate from the course by 200 meters or more, your effort will be excluded from the rankings.
• Efforts must be submitted within 24 hours from the time the attempt has started.
• Login and track your progress on the leaderboards and activity feed.
• We calculate scores for all efforts during the 10-week timeframe.  Participants who have the lowest cumulative time in each category will be eligible for prizes. 
• It’s not all about being speedy!  We will also be giving prizes to the first to complete all 5 Challenges, the best summit selfies and many more fun giveaways.
• Post photos #bigbuttechallenge and tag @cascaderelays and our brewery partners.

View and Download the courses here:

Course distances are one-way — starting at the trailhead and finishing at the summit.  The mileage listed below does not take into account your return trip. Please plan accordingly

• Pilot Butte (1.08 Miles to summit) –  Worthy Brewing
• Bessie Butte (0.7 Miles to summit) – 10 Barrel Brewing Co.
• Gray Butte (1.5 Miles to summit) – Wild Ride Brewing
• Black Butte (1.98 Miles to summit) – Deschutes Brewery
• Awbrey Butte (5.19 Miles roundtrip) – Bend Brewing Company

We’ve teamed up with RaceManager, to bring you an easily accessible, highly engaging, super fun, and most importantly pandemic safe, virtual experience.  With RaceManager’s advanced mapping and tracking tool, we are able to create an event that feels like real racing on real courses with real people (just socially-distanced).

Official Rules:

• Participants can complete the 5 Challenges in any order, uploading as many efforts as they like, within the 10-week timeframe: March 20 @12:01am PDT through  May 31 @ 11:59pm PDT
• Any GPS device that can sync to Strava or export GPX files can be used to submit your times.
• Times must be submitted no more than 24 hours after that attempt has been started.
• Course routes are set one-way, from the trailhead to the summit.  Only your uphill effort to the summit is tracked and recorded to the leaderboard.   Once you reach the summit you can enjoy the spectacular views, take pictures, eat a snack and make your way down the butte at your leisure… You may even decide to take a different way back!
• With the exception of Awbrey Butte which is an out and back along the Deschutes River Trail with beautiful views along the way.
• For the cumulative Challenge award, times for all 5 Challenges will be added to determine a cumulative time. Participants who have the lowest cumulative times will be eligible for prizes.
• Participants who are unable to make one or more of the Challenges will receive a time equal to the slowest participant in their category PLUS one minute.
• To be eligible for the Cumulative Challenge prize, you must complete a minimum of two Challenges.
• Everyone who participates in at least one Stage will receive a custom “I LIKE BIG BUTTES” neck gaiter and a complimentary beer from the sponsor brewer(ies). 
• Prizes will be available for pickup at The Haven Co-working. 
• Participants must follow the Challenge routes published in the directions identified (download the GPX to run it for turn-by-turn directions if your computer supports navigation directions)
• Participants must keep 6 feet distance from other hikers and runners as best they can. Passing and yielding is the only exception (aka NO DRAFTING).
• Participants must follow all trail rules and etiquette
• These are public trails
• UPHILL TRAVEL HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY
• Pack it in pack it out (aka Leave no Trace)
• Be Safe, Honest, Accountable, Responsible, and Kind

Every participant receives:

• One custom “I LIKE BIG BUTTES” Neck Gaiter

• One complimentary pint of beer from every sponsor brewery (at the completion of their challenge effort)

• One complimentary 12 oz drip coffee from Thump

• 1 complimentary cup of coffee & Dripkit takeaway from Sisters Coffee

• $10 off your $100+ FootZone purchase

• 20% off your Picky Bars online order

Swag Pickup:

The Haven Coworking