PDX vs SEA 3000m The Final Decision The battle for the Cascadian Axe is hotly contested every year at the Portland Track Festival. Under blue gray skies, 28 runners from the two major hubs in the Pacific Northwest duel over 7.5 laps in the Electric Forest. 2 guns mark the starts, with the women beginning 1:20 ahead of the men and then over roughly 10 minutes, the delta between the packs narrows until the chaotic finish down Paradise Alley, when the genders converge and the teams representing both proud cities are scored XC style through the top 10 finishers of each squad. The lowest score wins the day, $1400 and bragging rights for the ensuing calendar year. Initially the Portland team claimed victory and celebrated in the living room on the infield at Griswold Stadium. All of the bars and restaurants carrying the broadcast in the greater Portland area toasted the victors. After further deliberation, it was revealed that the timing company had missed a Seattle runner crossing the ...