Big Views, Fast Trails at Cirque Series Crystal Mountain
September 21, 2026
At a Glance:Perfect weather, thick Pacific Northwest forests and incredible views of Mount Rainier set the stage for a fast day at Cirque Series Crystal Mountain. Jackson Cole earned his second victory of the 2026 season, while Washington runners claimed five of the six Pro podium spots—including a complete sweep of the Women's Pro podium. Photos by @rockomenzyk and @bradyrufner_photo.
BIG VIEWS. FAST TRAILS.
There are mountain races with great views. And then there's Crystal Mountain.
For the second year in a row, the Cirque Series landed in Washington on a picture-perfect September weekend, sending racers through thick Pacific Northwest forest and high onto the mountain with one very large neighbor watching over the course: Mount Rainier.
When the forest opened, the views were enormous. When the trail opened, so were the opportunities to run.
Crystal gives racers plenty of ways to make their move. Feeling strong on the climbs? Dig in and start passing. Still have legs when the trail points down? Open up the stride and let gravity help take care of the rest.
And for the second straight year at Crystal Mountain, the weather cooperated beautifully. Two years of Cirque at Crystal. Two lucky weekends of sunshine, comfortable mountain conditions and clear views of one of America's most iconic peaks.
COLE RETURNS TO THE TOP
Jackson Cole knows how to win a Cirque Series race.
After taking first at Alyeska earlier this summer, the Missoula, Montana runner returned to the top of the Men's Pro podium at Crystal Mountain, crossing the finish in 1:01:41.8.
Seattle's Dustin Mullaney followed in 1:03:38.6, while Peter Butler of Port Angeles, Washington, finished third in 1:07:12.7.
With Washington runners taking second and third, the Men's Pro podium offered the first hint that the home-state athletes had come ready to race.
Place
Athlete
Hometown
Time
1
Jackson Cole
Missoula, MT
1:01:41.8
2
Dustin Mullaney
Seattle, WA
1:03:38.6
3
Peter Butler
Port Angeles, WA
1:07:12.7
WASHINGTON SWEEPS THE WOMEN'S PODIUM
Then the Washington women made it a clean sweep.
Seattle's Isabel Lane led the Women's Pro field with a winning time of 1:17:09.1, followed by fellow Seattle runner Amelia Keyser-Gibson in 1:19:52.8.
Erin Fredrickson of Port Angeles completed the all-Washington podium, taking third in 1:21:24.9.
Combined with the Men's Pro results, Washington athletes claimed an impressive five of the six Pro podium positions on their home-state mountain.
Place
Athlete
Hometown
Time
1
Isabel Lane
Seattle, WA
1:17:09.1
2
Amelia Keyser-Gibson
Seattle, WA
1:19:52.8
3
Erin Fredrickson
Port Angeles, WA
1:21:24.9
MORE THAN A FINISH LINE
Of course, a Cirque Series weekend is about more than what happens between the start and finish.
Back at the Crystal Mountain base, racers and spectators settled into a mountain festival filled with music, sponsors, vendors, beverages, bites and plenty of post-race smiles.
Nature's Sunshine was there for every side of race day, with nutrition for every runner, prizes for spectators and support for athletes taking on the mountain.
As Title Sponsor of the Cirque Series alongside La Sportiva, we're proud to be part of a community that comes together to race hard, spend time outside and celebrate what our bodies can do in some of the most spectacular places around.
EIGHT DOWN. TWO TO GO.
Crystal Mountain marked race number eight of the 10-race 2026 Cirque Series, which means we've officially reached the final two.
Eight mountains have brought eight different experiences—from New Hampshire and Vermont to Utah, Alaska, Wyoming, Colorado and now Washington. Different terrain. Different weather. Different racers rising to the occasion.
But the formula remains pretty simple: find a mountain, find your people and Push Peaks.
NEXT STOP: JAY PEAK
There's not much time to rest! The Cirque Series heads all the way back across the country for Jay Peak, Vermont, on September 26. Register here!
From the towering presence of Mount Rainier and the forests of the Pacific Northwest to the rugged terrain and fall colors of Vermont, race number nine promises a completely different kind of mountain experience.
Two races remain. We'll see you at the next starting line.
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