25-139.00RhynoXCLLCMOUforBobFirmanInvitational&NikeCrossRegionalsMEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE BOB FIRMAN INVITATIONAL
AND NIKE CROSS REGIONAL NORTHWEST AT THE COURSE SPOKANE VALLEY
This Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") is made this ► 3" day of August, 2025, by and between
the City of Spokane Valley, a code City of the State of Washington ("City"), and Rhyno XC LLC ("Rhyno
XC"), a for -profit entity, jointly referred to as the "Parties".
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the City owns and has constructed The Course Spokane Valley at its public park
property at 2520 N Flora Rd to serve as a venue to host cross country running events at the local, regional,
and national level; and
WHEREAS, Rhyno XC, in partnership with the Spokane Regional Sports Commission ("Spokane
Sports"), wishes to host the Bob Firman Invitational and Nike Cross Regionals Northwest events at The
Course Spokane Valley beginning in 2026 ("the Events"); and
WHEREAS, the Bob Firman and NXR Events are expected to draw up to 5,000 and 4,000 athletes
to the venue respectively, plus coaches, parents and spectators; and
WHEREAS, the City has received a letter of intent from Spokane Sports outlining its commitment
to provide support and services for the Events through separate agreements with Rhyno XC; and
WHEREAS, the City wants The Course Spokane Valley to serve as the venue for the Events; and
WHEREAS, Rhyno XC wishes to publicly announce its intent to move the Events to The Course
Spokane Valley beginning in 2026; and
WHEREAS, to facilitate further planning and development of the Events, the Parties wish to place
a hold on desired Event dates for years 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
THEREFORE, the following understanding is agreed upon:
1. Parties. The Parties of this MOU are the City and Rhyno XC.
2. Purpose. The purpose of this MOU is to establish a framework for collaboration between
Rhyno XC and the City of Spokane Valley regarding hosting the Bob Firman Invitational and Nike
Cross Regional Northwest events at The Course Spokane Valley and is intended to reflect the good -
faith intentions of both parties to collaborate on the planning and execution of the above -mentioned
Events. Unless and until a formal Event agreement is executed by both parties, this MOU shall be
considered non -binding and shall not create any legally enforceable rights or obligations, except for the
mutual agreement to hold specific Event dates as outlined below.
3. Contact Individuals. The contact person provided by the City shall be the Parks & Recreation
Director. The contact person provided by Rhyno XC shall be Ryan Canning, its owner.
Any notice required by this Agreement shall be delivered to the following representatives of the Parties:
To City: John Bottelli, Parks & Recreation Director
509-720-5400
2426 N Discovery Place
Spokane Valley, WA 99216
Email: jbottelli e,spokanevalleywa.gov
To Rhyno XC: Ryan Canning, Owner
208-353-8983
P.O. Box 6331
Boise, ID 83707
Email: rryancanning@gmail.com
4. Terms of the MOU.
4.1 The City of Spokane Valley agrees to reserve all dates identified in Exhibit A for the
Event(s), including those dates labeled "Option 1" and "Option 2". Each date shall remain on hold until
the earlier of the following: (a) mutually agreed -upon final Event date(s) is/are confirmed by both
Parties, in which case the agreed upon Event date(s) will be held and all other dates reserved for the
same Event during the same year(s) as the confirmed date(s) shall be released, or (b) there is less than
six (6) months until a reserved date and the Parties have not executed a formal Event agreement for the
Event, in which case only the dates within said six (6) month timeframe will be released.
4.2 If the Events are successfully scheduled, Spokane Sports will serve as the Host/LOC for
the Events as outlined in the Letter of Intent attached hereto as Exhibit B. All event delivery services,
operational support, and financial assistance related to the execution of the Events shall be addressed
separately through a distinct partnership agreement between Rhyno XC and Spokane Sports. This MOU
does not constitute a commitment by either Party to provide such services or funding for the Events,
nor does it outline the terms of any related support.
4.3 If the Events are successfully scheduled, the City will agree in a formal Event agreement
to ensure the facility is championship -ready with the course, existing structures, and amenities in proper
working order, and fully prepared to host a high -caliber -level competition.
5. Confidentiality. Both parties agree that the terms of this MOU, as well as any planning -related
discussions, documentation, or communications, shall remain confidential and shall not be disclosed to
any third party without prior consent, unless required by law.
6. Termination. This MOU shall remain in effect until one of the following occurs:
(1) a formal Event agreement is executed by both parties for each of the Events for years 2026, 2027,
2028, and 2029; or (2) either party terminates the MOU by providing written notice at least 30 days in
advance.
7. Indemnification and Hold Harmless.
7.1 Rhyno XC shall, at its sole expense, defend, indemnify, and hold harmless City and its
officers, agents, and employees, from any and all claims, actions, suits, liability, loss, costs,
attorney's fees, costs of litigation, expenses, injuries, and damages of any nature whatsoever relating
to or arising out of this MOU and the wrongful or negligent acts, errors, or omissions of Rhyno
XC, Rhyno XC's agents, contractors, subcontractors, consultants, and employees to the fullest
extent permitted by law, subject only to the limitations provided below.
7.2 The City shall, at its sole expense, defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Rhyno XC and its
officers, agents, and employees, from any and all claims, actions, suits, liability, loss, costs,
attorney's fees, costs of litigation, expenses, injuries, and damages of any nature whatsoever relating
to or arising out of this MOU and the wrongful or negligent acts, errors, or omissions of the City,
the City's agents, contractors, subcontractors, consultants, and employees to the fullest extent
permitted by law, subject only to the limitations provided below.
7.3 Should a court of competent jurisdiction determine that this MOU is subject to RCW
4.24.115, then, in the event of liability for damages arising out of bodily injury to persons or
damages to property caused by or resulting from the concurrent negligence of Rhyno XC and the
City related to this MOU, then each Party's liability, including the duty and cost to defend,
hereunder shall be only to the extent of each Party's culpable conduct. It is further specifically and
expressly understood that the indemnification provided herein constitutes the Parties' waiver of
immunity under Industrial Insurance, Title 51, RCW, solely for the purpose of this indemnification.
This waiver has been mutually negotiated by the parties. The provisions of this section shall survive
the expiration or termination of this MOU.
8. The parties hereby reserve the right to alter, amend or modify the terms and conditions of this MOU
upon written approval of both parties to such alteration, amendment or modification.
9. This MOU may not be assigned or transferred without the express written permission of the Parties.
10. Relationship of the Parties. It is understood and agreed that (a) Rhyno XC shall be an independent
contractor and not the agent or employee of City, and (b) the City and Rhyno XC do not intend to create,
and by this MOU are not creating a joint venture or partnership. Rhyno XC shall be solely responsible
for the conduct and actions of all its employees under this Agreement and any liability that may attach
thereto. Similarly, the City shall be solely responsible for the conduct and actions of all its employees
under this Agreement.
11. The City is precluded by law from any gifting of public funds. This MOU shall not be applied or
interpreted in any way that construes a gift of public funds (as defined by applicable Washington State
law).
City of Spokane Valley
5U , &L- 6-A
John Ho many, ityManager
DATE:
ACa T.
Marci Patterson, City Clerk
Rhyno XC
Ryan Canning, Owner
DATE: 8.12.25
APP. V AS TO FORM:
Office f the 7
Attorney
Exhibit A
Event Dates
BOB FIRMAN INVITATIONAL
2026
Setup: September 23-25, 2026
Competition: September 25-26, 2026
Teardown: September 27, 2026
2027
Setup: September 22-24, 2027
Competition: September 24-25, 2027
Teardown: September 26, 2027
2028 - OPTION 1 2028 - OPTION 2
Setup: September 27-29, 2028 Setup: September 20-22, 2028
Competition: September 29-30, 2028 Competition: September 22-23, 2028
Teardown: September 31, 2028 Teardown: September 24, 2028
2029 - OPTION 1 2029 - OPTION 2
Setup: September 26-28, 2029 Setup: September 19-21, 2029
Competition: September 28-29, 2029 Competition: September 21-22, 2029
Teardown: September 30, 2029 Teardown: September 23, 2029
NIKE CROSS REGIONALS NORTHWEST
2026 - OPTION 1 2026 - OPTION 2
Setup: November 18-20 Setup: November 4-6
Competition: November 20-21 Competition: November 6-7
Teardown: November 22 Teardown: November 8
2027 - OPTION 1 2027 - OPTION 2
Setup: November 3-5 Setup: November 17-19
Competition: November 5-6 Competition: November 19-20
Teardown: November 7 Teardown: November 21
2028
Setup: November 8-10
Competition: November 10-11
Teardown: November 12
2029
Setup: November 7-9
Competition: November 9-10
Teardown: November 11
Exhibit B
19 Spokane
SPORTS
August 11, 2025
John Bottelli
Parks & Recreation Director
City of Spokane Valley
10210 East Sprague Ave
Spokane Valley, WA 99206
John,
I am writing on behalf of Spokane Sports to express our enthusiastic support for the
partnership between Rhyno XC and the City of Spokane Valley in hosting the Bob
Firman Invitational and Nike Cross Regional Northwest events at The Course Spokane
Valley. We believe these events will greatly benefit our community and enhance our
reputation as a hub for athletic excellence.
To formalize our commitment, Spokane Sports intends to enter into a partnership
agreement with Rhyno XC. This agreement will outline our specific commitments and
services for the events, which include:
• Financial Assistance: Support for the event operations budget to ensure
successful execution.
• Host CitySupport: Assistance with transportation and parking plans,
equipment sourcing, event logistics, personnel recruitment, and lodging
arrangements -all aimed at creating a seamless experience for participants and
attendees.
• Post -Event Impact Reporting: To evaluate the events' impact and success, we
will conduct post -event reporting, which will allow us to learn from this
experience and identify improvements for future events.
Spokane Sports values the opportunity to contribute to these prestigious events and
looks forward to collaborating to ensure their success in our community.
Sincerely,
Ashley Blake
.1 a"
Chief Executive Officer
Spokane Sports
201 W North River Dr. Suite 130 1 Spokane, Washington 99201 1509456.5812