Popular Pierce County footrace crossed now-closed Fairfax Bridge. What now?
The Washington State Department of Transportation permanently closed the 103-year-old bridge on April 24 due to safety concerns. The bridge led to key areas of Mount Rainier National Park – including the starting point for the annual, 50-mile Rainier to Ruston Relay.
With only 44 days before the June 7 event, organizers had to scramble to re-route the entire event.
'Runners thought we knew something before they did, but we didn't, so we started getting some emails and it's like, 'What do you do? You have to pivot,'' said Sabrina Seher, the race director. 'It's not ideal to have to basically reroute an entire course for 1,600 runners.'
Rainier to Ruston has been running for 22 years and supports the nonprofit Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition. It normally starts from the base of Mount Rainier and finishes at Marine Park on Ruston Way in Tacoma. Now there are 12 segments of the run, starting in Carbonado and running through Wilkeson, South Prairie, Orting, Puyallup, Fife and Tacoma.
Seher said some of the biggest changes they implemented when rerouting the event included adding a segment, Lincoln Loop, in an industrial area of Fife. She also said they added a second segment in Tacoma, which normally only had one.
The first Tacoma segment spans from Lincoln Avenue to War Memorial Park. Runners will then go from War Memorial Park to the finish line near the Lobster Shop on Ruston Way.
'The City of Tacoma, we had a Zoom meeting right away, and they said, 'We're very familiar with this race and this organization – we're happy to support you,'' Seher said.
Seher also said they added an exchange in Orting, which will allow for new parking.
Rerouting the race in 44 days involved a lot of mapping, exploring and calling officials, Seher said.
'There's basically two of us that went back and forth a lot, looking at maps,' Seher said. 'It has to make sense, so runners aren't confused, and then once we have the ideas, we go back and then we make the maps. Then we send them to whoever we need to talk to and stress the urgency of needing some kind of solution – and apologize for needing an urgent solution.'
Here is a breakdown of all 12 legs.
Leg 1: Carbonado to Wilkeson, 3.4 miles
Leg 2: Wilkeson to South Prairie, 4.1 miles
Leg 3: South Prairie to Crocker, 4.6 miles
Leg 4: Crocker to Orting, 3.7 miles
Leg 5: Orting to McMiliin, 3.4 miles
Leg 6: McMiliin to Meeker, 4.2 miles
Leg 7: Meeker to Puyallup, 4.3 miles
Leg 8: Puyallup to Fife, 4.7 miles
Leg 9: Fife to Lincoln Loop, 3.2 miles
Leg 10: Lincoln Ave to Tacoma, 2.7 miles
Leg 11: Tacoma to War Memorial, 6.5 miles
Leg 12: War Memorial to Ruston, 6.5 miles
Runners can look at an interactive map of the full route at caltopo.com/m/F3M431U. They can also visit the event's website at rainiertoruston.com.
'We're just excited, whatever comes out of this,' Seher said. 'We are happy to pivot so that runners can still have a great experience.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
5 days ago
- USA Today
Juwan Johnson lobbies for Saints to sign Noah Fant: 'It'll get us going, man'
'I'd be extremely excited to have him here' It's easy to see why the New Orleans Saints want Noah Fant. He's looked good in black and gold before, having come out of the same Iowa-to-NFL factory that sent tight ends like T.J. Hockenson, George Kittle, and Sam LaPorta to the pros in recent years. The former first-round pick visited New Orleans on Friday after previously meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals, but he hasn't signed anything just yet. Count veteran starter Juwan Johnson among the number who'd like to see Fant stick around. A tight end himself, Johnson sees Fant as a great fit in the offense rather than competition for his services. Kellen Moore has called a lot of passes to his tight ends in previous stops, and there's no reason to think the coach won't keep it going with the Saints. 'He can add so much,' Johnson told reporters after Friday's training camp practice. 'One, he can add a lot of explosiveness to the offense and I'd be extremely excited to have him here. I mean, you've had guys like Ben Watson, Jimmy Graham here before. You've had guys like that before that's really been explosive. And so you can just think of things like that. I'm not going to go the whole, like, Gronk and Aaron Hernandez thing. ... But that's the kind of potential something like that can have.' Their stats are surprisingly similar. Over the last three years, Fant has played in 48 games, catching 130 passes for 1,400 yards and scoring five touchdowns. In that same span, Johnson has appeared in 46 games, catching 129 balls for 1,424 yards with 14 touchdowns. Johnson has taken some heat from fans for only showing up in garbage time; when trailing in the fourth quarter, he's caught 29 receptions for 307 yards, with four touchdowns. Fant has caught 30 passes for 293 yards and scored three touchdowns. That's a wash. Obviously there's more going on here than their raw numbers. Fant has been asked to do more with the ball in his hands; his average depth of target the last three years is 6.2 yards, and he's paced 5.6 yards before contact per catch with 5.2 yards gained after the catch per reception. Compare that to Johnson, who has, on average, been targeted further downfield (8.2 yards) which has led to more yards gained before contact (6.9) but fewer yards gained after the catch (4.2). Johnson has broken more tackles (7, to Fant's 3) but he's also dropped more passes (9 against Fant's 3). More downfield opportunities has helped Johnson convert more first downs (75) than Fant (65), too. The point is that each player has made plays for their offense, but they've gone about it in different ways. For his second point, Johnson says Fant would bring some camaraderie to the tight ends room: "Having a guy like Noah here walking around the facility adds a vibe. ... I think it'd be so good. It'll give, honestly, the locker room a good boost and it'll get us going, man. Like I said, it's never like a competition. It's more camaraderie and collaboration. And that's something that I've always took the approach of when you see guys added into the room." Would Fant add more to the offense? Sure. He could fit right in as a safety valve in the short area who can reliably catch a pass and fight through contact to pick up a first down. His role wouldn't overlap much with Johnson as more of a vertical threat who can bully smaller defensive backs and pick up chunks of yards at a time. There's a world where they can coexist. But is that worth the price for the Saints? Fant left town without a deal after his visit on Friday so he's at least considering his options. We'll have to wait and see whether he circles back for a teamup.
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Associated Press
Graves Mclain Injury Lawyers to Host Free Back-to-School Festival With the Tulsa Drillers at Oneok Field to Support Local Students and Families
TULSA, OKLAHOMA / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / Graves McLain Injury Lawyers is proud to announce the return of its annual Back-to-School Festival, this year held in partnership with the Tulsa Drillers at ONEOK Field on Sunday, August 10, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This free, family-friendly event helps Tulsa-area children and families prepare for the upcoming school year by providing backpacks, school supplies, snacks, and interactive activities - all while connecting families with vital community resources in a fun, festive Come join us and the Drillers at the ballpark for a fun family-friendly festival to kick off the 2025-2026 back-to-school season! The first 2,000 school-aged children in attendance will get to choose a free backpack to fill with essential school supplies, including notebooks, markers, colored pencils, pencils, pencil sharpeners, rulers, and folders (while supplies last). In addition to the backpacks and supplies, families will enjoy games, giveaways, special appearances, and access to a wide range of local organizations offering educational tools and community resources. The event is designed not only to ease the financial burden of the back-to-school season but also to bring the Tulsa community together. Local nonprofits, businesses, and service providers will be on-site hosting interactive activities and sharing information on free programs and support services available to families year-round. The goal is to create a space where parents and students can discover the many resources our community offers and begin the school year equipped, informed, and encouraged. Festival highlights include: 'At its heart, this festival is about giving Tulsa kids the tools and confidence they need to succeed in the classroom.' said Chad McLain, partner at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers. 'If we can help lift even a small burden for families during the back-to-school season and connect them with incredible resources available in Tulsa - that's a win. We're grateful for all our partners who are helping make this event possible.' 'This event is a great example of what can happen when local organizations come together with a shared purpose,' said Justin Gorski, Assistant General Manager and VP of Marketing for the Tulsa Drillers. 'Graves McLain, the Official Personal Injury Lawyers of the Drillers, has been an active and engaged partner, and it's clear how deeply they care about the Tulsa community. Hosting this event at ONEOK Field makes it even more special. Many of these families may have never stepped inside a professional ballpark before. To give them the run of the stadium, filled with support, joy, and opportunity, is truly powerful. We're proud to be part of something that helps local kids feel confident, celebrated, and ready for the school year ahead.' The back-to-school initiative is part of Graves McLain Injury Lawyers' long-standing commitment to serving Tulsa families. The firm originally launched its Free Backpack Program in 2016, with the mission to provide brand-new backpacks filled with supplies to as many Tulsa Public Schools students as possible. What began as a small, school-by-school donation effort has grown into a major annual event thanks to the vision of firm partners - Dan Graves, Chad McLain, and Rachel Gusman, the dedication of the entire Graves McLain team, and the support of every community partner involved. The firm is currently welcoming additional community partners and volunteers who want to take part in this impactful day. Local businesses, nonprofits, and service providers are invited to host tables, lead kid-friendly activities, or volunteer. For more information, or to sign up to get involved, visit Media are welcome to attend. Interview and photo opportunities with organizers, community partners, and attendees will be available throughout the event. View last year's event photos at and a sizzle reel at Post-event 2025 photo requests may be sent to Janina Dorman at [email protected]. About Graves McLain Injury Lawyers Founded in 2010, Graves McLain Injury Lawyers is Oklahoma's premier personal injury law firm, dedicated to fighting for those who have suffered serious injuries due to the negligence of others. With a focus on cases involving motor vehicle crashes, commercial truck accidents, defective drugs and medical devices, and medical malpractice, the firm has built a reputation for delivering exceptional results and compassionate advocacy. Backed by an 'AV' rating from Martindale-Hubbell-the highest distinction for legal ability and ethics-Graves McLain Injury Lawyers is committed to upholding the highest professional standards while aggressively pursuing justice for its clients. The firm has secured millions in verdicts and settlements, helping injured Oklahomans and their families rebuild their lives. At Graves McLain, every case matters. The firm's experienced attorneys provide the value, care, and justice that injury victims deserve, bringing comfort and peace of mind to families facing life's most difficult challenges. For more information, visit About the Tulsa Drillers The Tulsa Drillers baseball club is the Double-A affiliate of the World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers and is Tulsa's oldest professional sports franchise. The Drillers play their home games at beautiful ONEOK Field, located in the Historic Greenwood District of downtown Tulsa. Many former Drillers players are currently stars in Major League Baseball including Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger, Will Smith and Nolan Arenado. For more information, visit Contact Information Janina Dorman [email protected] SOURCE: Graves McLain Injury Lawyers press release
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Miami Dolphins Top 10 players countdown: De'Von Achane No. 5, may be most important
Editor's Note: This is part of a Countdown to Training Camp: Dolphins 2025 series. We'll unveil two players in the Dolphins' top 10 in each of the coming weeks. MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane feels he left a lot of yards on the field in 2024, and so he's aiming even higher for 2025. "As far as in the rush game, I always want to try to hit 1,000 yards," Achane said. "And then 500 yards receiving. I feel like I can do that." Achane is one of the fastest players in the NFL and he's one of the most skilled receivers out of the backfield, which make him a perfect fit for Mike McDaniel's offense. "Ascending player," Dolphins coach McDaniel said. Miami has moved on from veterans Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson. Achane is the lead back now, supported by Jaylen Wright, Alexander Mattison and rookie Ollie Gordon. It could be argued Achane is as important among Dolphins weapons as Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle. Why De'Von Achane is fifth-best Miami Dolphins player Achane, 23, is only 5-foot-9, 188 pounds, but he's strong and blazing fast. After a remarkable rookie season in which he averaged 7.8 yards per carry, Achane fell back to 4.5 yards per carry in his second season. The biggest problem is that Achane took too many rushes for no gain or loss, trying to make big plays that simply were not available. The addition of guards James Daniels and Jonah Savaiinaea should benefit Achane, who would actually be better off doing more of his work between the tackles. Achane has Pro Bowl potential. Nationally, he's expected to put up huge numbers. Some even have Achane ranked in their top three among fantasy football running backs. Telling Stat Only one player has ever had more than 750 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in a Dolphins season: De'Von Achane in 2024. How we see De'Von Achane's Dolphins future Achane is the unquestioned lead back for the Dolphins in 2025. He'll have to show continued durability – he played all 17 games in 2024 – with an increased workload. Achane can be soft-spoken and polite. But McDaniel views him as a player ready to take a step forward as a leader. "The first person that pretty much any skill player has to answer to if they maybe drop something or get gloved when running a route – first person they're going to have to answer to is De'Von," McDaniel said. "because he's going to be quick trigger. I think that competitiveness that he has is natural to him." Joe Schad: Miami Dolphins seek 'new identity' for 2025, but what is it? Bobby Slowik: Miami Dolphins' new assistant may speed Mike McDaniel's play-calling Bradley Chubb: Miami Dolphins star feels at least 90 percent in return Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@ and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins RB De'Von Achane ready to carry load
