Pedestrians & Cyclists Invited to 2nd Annual Downtown to Defiance

Registration Now Underway for September 28 Event

Join us for the 2nd Annual Downtown to Defiance event to celebrate Tacoma’s waterfront and fabulous parks along the way. 

Downtown to Defiance is a free open streets event on Sunday, September 28 for bicyclists, walkers and runners to experience the waterfront for almost 7 miles unencumbered by vehicular traffic. 

The event starts and finishes at Point Defiance Park with a turnaround on the Foss Waterway Esplanade at S. 21st Street Park. Point Defiance Park will be activated with food trucks, low cost helmet-fitting and live entertainment.

Registration is now underway at DowntownToDefiance.com.  Registration is strongly encouraged and the first 600 to pre-register for the free event will receive a commemorative cinch pack. 

Participants are encouraged to gather at the Point Defiance bowl with their bicycles and other human-powered devices at 7:30 am for the Downtown to Defiance kickoff which begins at 8 am.

The event celebrates sustainable transportation and green living and takes advantage of the new Point Defiance trail linking Ruston Way to Point Defiance Park. 

This trail currently serves as a temporary connection for non-motorized access to the park, as Metro Parks develops a permanent Point Defiance trailhead and pedestrian-friendly entry from the waterfront to the park over the next two years. 

It’s all part of a long-time vision Tacomans' have had to create a waterfront connection from Downtown to Defiance.

Find out more and sign up at DowntownToDefiance.com.

Downtown to Defiance Schedule:

8:00 am Opening/Start
8:10 am Rainier Riders (fast cyclists)
8:15 am VeloFemmes (women riders)
8:20 am Community Riders and Families
8:25 am Other wheeled devices (people-powered only)
8:30 am Foot-Powered People (runners, walkers)

Or join the route at any point in place and time!

D2D Duathlon at Owen Beach

Athletes looking for a more competitive event are invited to register for the D2D Duathlon, a separate event held concurrently that morning. 

The Duathlon is a timed event that takes participants on a 19.5-mile journey through Tacoma where they will run, bike, and run from Owen Beach to the finish line. 

Participants may compete individually or as a part of a relay team. Registration for the duathlon is $65 and closes September 25. Sign up at MetroParksTacoma.org/Duathlon.