Top of Tamarack

Where mental health meets mental strength!

Join us in 2024!

Ready to be “mentally strong”?  

Race Details

On the last Saturday in September, participants bike, run, or hike up the mountain at Tamarack Resort.  Join us for this mental health awareness and suicide prevention event where you can prove you’re “mentally strong”, all for a good cause!

This is an event unlike any other! Participants bike, run, or hike up the mountain to the distance of their choosing (max distance is just under 15 miles roundtrip). The real competition is against one’s own self, where you make a goal and set out to achieve it!

Each mile post along your journey will be marked with a special token, reminding you that you have achieved a great distance and you are “mentally strong.” Collect as many tokens as you can and then head back down the mountain to celebrate your achievement.

Top of Tamarack is a race that celebrates those who are battling mental health challenges on their way to mental health recovery and who are still here with us today. It is a race that brings together athletes of all levels and gives them a purpose for moving forward.  It is also a race that honors those who have lost their lives to suicide and mental health struggles.

The race is organized by Gr8ter, Inc., a local non-profit organization that helps people struggling with mental health issues find hope and happiness in spite of their struggles.

Hidden (Closed Accordian)

When & Where

Race Date: September 28th, 2024

Start Time: The race has staggered start times as follows:

  • Bike 8:00 am
  • Run/Hike 8:15 am

Starting Location: Tamarack Village

Parking: Park in the main Tamarack parking lot near the Village. Overflow parking will be in the lot near the Osprey Lodge.

We’ll meet at the Village and travel along the gravel service roads that traverse up the mountain. As you rise to the top, you’ll soak in the epic views of Valley County! The course is an out-and back; once you reach the distance of your choosing, then turn around and go back the way you came, finishing where you started.

You can choose to tackle any distance along the service road leading up to the summit. The maximum distance is 15 miles round trip with a full 2,900 foot elevation climb to the Top of Tamarack. Each participant can choose their own mode of travel (hike, run, bike) and distance. Every mile to the summit will be marked and participants will collect a token at EACH station along the way.  See a map of the course here. Download course GPX file here.  Note: GPX file is only from base to summit and not roundtrip.  

If you’re super-competitive, no problem! Those going all the way to the top do not need to stop and collect tokens, you can collect all 7 tokens at the summit aid-station. The first male and female to reach the top (for both biking and running) will be crowned King and Queen of the Mountain!  Awards will be given to the top three athletes in each category.

Things to Know

There are no losers, only winners who come out to support Gr8ter, Inc. in their mission to help people struggling with mental health issues.  Here are a few more things to know:

Packet Pickup: Please help us keep the morning of race check-in efficient and pick up your packets before race day.  You will NOT need to check in on race morning when you pick up packets beforehand at one of these three locations.  This is also a great opportunity to grab some last-minute gear offered by our incredible sponsors: 

Packet Pickup Locations:

Fleet Feet Meridian

Tuesday, September 24th from 12-7PM

3573 E Longwing Ln STE 105, Meridian, ID 83646

 

Fleet Feet Nampa

Wednesday, September 25th from 12-7 PM

1850 Caldwell Blvd Ste 120, Nampa, ID 83651

Tamarack Outfitters

Friday, September 27th from 4-6 PM 

311 Village Dr, Tamarack, ID 83615

Aid Stations: Signs and volunteers will help keep participants on the correct routes.  Four aid stations will be along the route, offering water refill stations and first aid items and being available to answer questions. Aid stations will be available at these locations: start/finish location, wildwood intersection (3.1 miles), midmountain (4.8 miles), and the summit (7.3 miles).  Note: there are no bathrooms at the Wildwood aid station.

To minimize trash on the mountain, all participants MUST provide their own refillable water bottles/containers. There will NOT be disposable cups at aid stations.
Restrooms are located at the base, mid-mountain, and at the summit.

Course Cut-Off:  The event will end at 1:00pm so all participants wishing to proceed onto the summit must reach the mid-mountain aid station by 11:00am.

For safety of all participants, we require you to check-in at the finish line. Anyone not checked back at the finish line will be marked as “DNF – Did Not Finish” for the event. Any participants left on the course at 1:00pm will be required to ride in the sweep vans back to the start/finish line in order to have official finish results.

Timing:  The course will be timed from the start line to the summit using Competitive Timing software. Because the terrain near the summit can be treacherous (especially downhill for mountain bikers), we encourage participants to take their time making their way back to the start line. No timing will be available other than the time to the summit, so we encourage you to use your own self-timing if that data is important to you.

Results:  Results will be posted on our website after the event and include the number of tokens collected for all participants and time to the top for those that go to the summit.

Team Ambassador

We are looking for those individuals that have a heart for mental health awareness and suicide prevention and would like to volunteer and build a team of people to participate at Top of Tamarack on September 28, 2024.

How will you be supporting:

Top of Tamarack Ambassadors serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration as we continue to pursue our mission of empowering people to overcome mental health struggles in order to live the lives they desire. We rely on our Ambassadors to speak on behalf of the Gr8ter/Top of Tamarack brand and hold themselves to our core ethics on and off the course.

Who is this best for:

Anyone who truly loves Top of Tamarack and has a passion to help people live happier and healthier lifestyles.  Especially for those that have a heart for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.  

This is also great for those that would like to build a team to honor a loved lost to suicide or mental health struggles.  

The perks:

  • 50% Off Race Registration (for Ambassador only)
  • Race discount codes for family and friends
  • Top of Tamarack Swag
  • Knowing in your heart you’re doing something good for the world!!!

Please complete our Volunteer form and select ‘TOT Ambassador”

Cost

  • Before June 30th – $60 adult, $50 youth (12 and under)
  • July 1st – August 31st – $65 adult, $55 youth (12 and under)
  • September 1st- Sept 27th-$70 adult, $60 youth (12 and under)
  • Day of Race – $80 adult, $70 youth (12 and under)

Registration

For everyone’s safety and comfort, we must limit the number of participants. We do expect this event to sell out so it’s best to get registered early!

You must register by September 10th in order to be guaranteed race swag.

No refunds will be provided, including in the event of a cancellation outside of the organizer’s control.

Celebration

Don’t forget to pack your lederhosen and dirndl, as our post race celebration will be at Tamarack Resort’s Oktoberfest in the Village Plaza!

Top Finishers will be announced and awarded on stage at 2:45 pm (tentatively).

Lodging

Top of Tamarack has partnered with Tamarack Resort to ensure you have the best race weekend experience!  There are a lot of lodging options in the area, but please consider utilizing their amazing facilities, as this race would not be possible without their generosity!

 

Tamarack Resort – Find your mix of luxury accommodations, diverse dining options, Village amenities, and discover a true four-season resort experience. Stay in the heart of the Village where the action is, tuck away in a cabin in the woods, or stay at The Lodge at Osprey Meadows.

Top of Tamarack enthusiasts can take advantage of a special discount when you book your lodging by reserving on Tamarack’s website today! Stay right next to Top of Tamarack and Oktoberfest which happening the same day.

Book Here for 20% off: Tamarack Resort Online – Build Your Package (tamarackidaho.com)

 

Camping Many camping options are available around Tamarack Resort including the beautiful state parks. Facilities and amenities can include restrooms, dump stations, hot showers, laundry, and wi-fi. 

Tokens

At Top of Tamarack, every mile up the mountain is marked by a token station, where participants can collect a token to track their progress. Whether you reach the summit and collect all 8 tokens or turn back at any point, the choice is yours. Participants can choose to keep their tokens as a memento or turn them in at the finish line when they receive their post-race rewards. This event is all about setting personal goals and taking steps toward achieving them. There’s no ‘DNF’ (Did Not Finish) here; every effort counts, and we celebrate every participant’s journey, no matter how far they choose to go.

Memorial Mile

Many of us have grieved the loss of someone taken too soon. Memorial Mile is a poignant part of the Top of Tamarack race, where signs bearing the names of loved ones lost to suicide or mental health struggles are displayed along one mile of the course. Participants have the option to leave flowers with their names, creating an emotional and meaningful tribute as we honor their memory and build hope from heartache. When you register for this race, you have the opportunity to honor the memory of someone you’ve lost.

Overcomer Alley

Overcomer Alley is a mile near the summit dedicated to honoring those who have overcome their mental health struggles or are still courageously fighting. It’s a tribute to the participants who are running the race and celebrating their resilience. When you register for the race, you have the chance to be recognized in this inspiring part of the course.

Event Proceeds

The Top of Tamarack event by Gr8ter is dedicated to raising funds for crucial suicide prevention and mental health programs in Idaho schools. 100% Net proceeds will support initiatives such as suicide prevention education for teachers, parents, and the community, youth peer support groups, and engaging activities designed to connect with students in meaningful ways. By participating, you’re helping to bring impactful, evidence-based programs into schools that empower students to support each other and promote a positive mental health culture. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of Idaho’s youth.

Interested in Volunteering?

If trekking up the mountain isn’t your thing, no worries! We’re searching for great volunteers who would like to help make this a successful and memorable event. We will need volunteers to help with race check-in, start/finish line staffing, aid station assistants and post-race teardown assistants.

Thank You to our Sponsors

This epic event would not be possible without these amazing sponsors! If you’re interested in sponsoring in 2024, please email us at information@gr8ter.org.

2023 Time Results

Thank you to all participants, volunteers and sponsors to make it an amazing event!

Top of Tamarack Honorees

In memory of our loved ones lost too soon.

So many of us have grieved someone who was taken from this world too soon. We hope in some small way we can make meaning out of tragedy, and build hope out of heartache. We thank all participants, sponsors, and volunteers for trusting us and sharing your personal loss with us.   If you have a loved one that lost their life to suicide or mental health struggles and would like them to be honored at Top of Tamarack, please email us at information@gr8ter.org.

 

The Top of Tamarack event by Gr8ter is dedicated to raising funds for crucial suicide prevention and mental health programs in Idaho schools. 100% of Net proceeds will support initiatives such as suicide prevention education for teachers, parents, and the community, youth peer support groups, and engaging activities designed to connect with students in meaningful ways. By participating, you’re helping to bring impactful, evidence-based programs into schools that empower students to support each other and promote a positive mental health culture. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of Idaho’s youth.