Run for Change: The Trail to Volcanic

SheJumps is introducing a new way to fundraise…on the trails!

The SheJumps Volcanic Fundraising Trail Run takes place August 1–2, 2026 on the iconic Loowit Trail around Mount St. Helens. Participants can choose a 25K or 50K, experiencing volcanic terrain, big Cascade views, and the same community-centered spirit that defines our fundraising climbs, just without summiting the mountain.

This experience is about more than miles. It’s about showing up fully as yourself, stretching beyond what feels possible, and fundraising to support outdoor play that transforms the lives of women and girls.

✨ Registration OPEN ✨

This run exists because of Heidi, one of our Program Managers and a former SheJumps volunteer, who believed there could be another way to move through the mountains and give back at the same time. After running this course herself, the idea stayed with her: what if this experience could fuel something bigger than a finish time? What started as a personal challenge became a vision for fundraising trail runs at SheJumps. Below, Heidi shares how this idea came to life and what it was like to run around a volcano.

Here’s her story.

"I personally ran Volcanic’s 25K in 2022, and it remains one of the most memorable racing experiences I’ve ever had.” - Heidi S.

I looked up from my coffee to meet my friend’s gaze. It was a rainy February afternoon in 2023, and we were sitting in a café organizing plans for the SheJumps Oregon Regional team. I had just shared an idea with her that had been quietly simmering in my mind for a long time.

“Really?” I asked. “It feels so big—can I actually pull this off?”

Without hesitation, she said, “Yes. I believe in you. You’ve got this.”

In that moment, I learned something simple and powerful: if journeys begin with one step, it’s often girl friends who get you to the trailhead.

Where it began

For more than twenty years, running has been a constant in my life—a foundation to return to, a mirror for reflection, and a window to dream. It’s given me space to nurture friendships and work through relationships while also setting big goals, falling short, and trying again. I’ve run on tracks, historic cobblestone, and trails across the country, and along the way, I’ve done a lot of growing up.

That’s what made me wonder: if running has shaped my life so profoundly, could it do the same for others?

The idea

I wanted to create a welcoming space for women to explore trail running—one that offered education, connection, and encouragement alongside the miles. A place to ask questions, set goals, and quietly (or loudly) wonder, why not?

SheJumps was the perfect place to dream big. I was already volunteering with the Oregon team, and even before I had all the answers, I jumped in—cannonball-style.

That leap became the Wildwood Running Series and Fundraising Run: a mix of group runs, clinics, conversations with trail running leaders, and an accessible, self-supported fundraising run on the Wildwood Trail in Forest Park. The series raised over $5,000 for SheJumps, supporting scholarships, education, and outreach that help more women and girls get outside.

The running series began because one friend believed in me, and it grew because a community said yes. Local businesses opened their doors. Friends showed up as models, donors, and sounding boards. Athletes and race directors volunteered their time. Brand partners stepped in unexpectedly. And when it came time for my own fundraising run, nearly a dozen friends, and my husband, shared miles on the Wildwood Trail with me.

At the end of it all, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I was part of a community of women and men who didn’t just say they cared for but actively showed up for an organization like SheJumps. Together, our miles created real change.

Fast forward to today

Two years ago, I showed up as a volunteer with an idea, a gaggle of girl friends, and a lot of belief. Today, I work for SheJumps and am launching our first official Fundraising Trail Run. Proof of what’s possible when hard work, community, and momentum collide.

Run Together. Run for Change: The Volcanic Fundraising Trail Run

The Volcanic Fundraising Trail Run for SheJumps is a chance to raise money and awareness for SheJumps, leveraging peer-to-peer fundraising, corporate matches, and community spirit. In partnership with Go Beyond Racing, the Volcanic 25K/50K invites you to experience Mount St. Helens up close while running for something bigger than yourself. These courses move through powerful, humbling terrain. Offering challenge, connection, and moments that linger long after the finish. While SheJumps takes care of the race bib, participants are asked to raise $1,500 from within their community so that SheJumps can continue the work in getting more women and girls outdoors through scholarships, education, and outreach. 

The course climbs for the first six miles, weaving through single track, boulders, and exposed terrain. Go Beyond Racing is known for having the best volunteers, and at the first aid station, a friendly group offered orange slices and high fives before sending me off on the long descent to the finish. The rolling downhill felt magical, almost otherworldly. While the 25K is a fantastic challenge on its own, I’d be lying if it didn’t leave me itching to explore even more of the mountain.

Whether you choose the 25K or the 50K, the Volcanic Fundraising Trail Run is about more than finish lines. It’s about shared effort, collective impact, and using our miles to create access and opportunity, so more women and girls can transform and grow outdoors.

Are you ready to take the next step?

If this story resonates with you, we’d love to have you on the trail. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to say yes to a big goal, a meaningful challenge, or a chance to rally your community, this is it. Come run with us, fundraise with your community, and help create more moments of belonging, confidence, and joy for women and girls outdoors.

Just the stats:

• Volcanic Fundraising Trail Run registration opens: January 20, 2026

• Race Weekend: August 1-2, 2026 

• Race Location: Both races begin and end at Marble Mountain Sno-Park near Cougar, WA. The 50K follows the full Loowit Trail around Mount St. Helens, while the 25K covers a portion of the trail.

• Race Distance: Choose either the 25k (15 miles) or 50k (31+ miles)

• Fundraising Details: A $100 non-refundable registration fee is required to hold your space. Each participant agrees to fundraise or be personally responsible for a fundraising total of $1,500 for SheJumps, which is in addition to the $100 deposit paid through the registration process.

  
  

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