I've done the full marathon (2008) and the half multiple times (2017, 2018, 2019). I have to say the new course in 2019 was FAR better than previous years. In … MORE
I’ve done the full marathon (2008) and the half multiple times (2017, 2018, 2019). I have to say the new course in 2019 was FAR better than previous years. In years past, the hills were absolutely BRUTAL as they went around metro-Seattle and back up, over, and around Capitol Hill where the switchbacks of constant incline made for no one’s personal best finish. The course I ran in 2019 still had hills (Seattle is hilly…), but they were better spread out and variations of gradual to steep. The race shuts down the express lanes on I5 that will run you into Fremont. I’d say the best parts of this race are the beginning streets of downtown Seattle and the Fremont section (roughly mile 5 thru 10?). You still have a few hefty hills waiting at about mile 9/10 as you climb back out of Fremont and across the aurora bridge. However then you get some free downhill miles to bring you back home to the Space Needle. Every year I’ve ran this event there have been plenty of aid stations (pre-Covid…) and the abundance of food/drink afterwards is excellent!
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Tough race but worth it!
I've done the full marathon (2008) and the half multiple times (2017, 2018, 2019). I have to say the new course in 2019 was FAR better than previous years. In … MORE
I’ve done the full marathon (2008) and the half multiple times (2017, 2018, 2019). I have to say the new course in 2019 was FAR better than previous years. In years past, the hills were absolutely BRUTAL as they went around metro-Seattle and back up, over, and around Capitol Hill where the switchbacks of constant incline made for no one’s personal best finish. The course I ran in 2019 still had hills (Seattle is hilly…), but they were better spread out and variations of gradual to steep. The race shuts down the express lanes on I5 that will run you into Fremont. I’d say the best parts of this race are the beginning streets of downtown Seattle and the Fremont section (roughly mile 5 thru 10?). You still have a few hefty hills waiting at about mile 9/10 as you climb back out of Fremont and across the aurora bridge. However then you get some free downhill miles to bring you back home to the Space Needle. Every year I’ve ran this event there have been plenty of aid stations (pre-Covid…) and the abundance of food/drink afterwards is excellent!
I Wouldn't Recommend
I thought this race was going to be beautiful because Seattle is such an amazing city. However I was greatly disappointed. You run on a freeway for a large portion … MORE
I thought this race was going to be beautiful because Seattle is such an amazing city. However I was greatly disappointed. You run on a freeway for a large portion of the race. then on a run path with no views of the city or water very industrial. One water stop had no water so I ran the last 7 miles without water. Disappointing to say the least. Unless they change the course I won’t do again.
Was expecting more for 50 years
This race was very boring for me. Most of it was long a running trail with not much to look at. (I saw signs that said "Lake Washington" but never … MORE
This race was very boring for me. Most of it was long a running trail with not much to look at. (I saw signs that said “Lake Washington” but never saw a lake.) There were few spectators on the course and the first few miles are on a “lower” road so GPS was spotty. When the GPS recovered, every mile was off – but not consistently throughout the race. the 4th mile marker read as 4.43 for me, then mile marker 5 read 5.1 for me. The field was not dense enough to have to consider weaving in and out of people, not was the running trail winding or wide enough to think that tangents were affecting the distance. It became discouraging towards the end of the race when you encounter out-and-back parts of the course.
The race didn’t seem to have enough volunteers – I carry water with me, but it seemed like they were racing to fill cups when I approached a water stop that was about a mile after the half-marathoners split away from us. This was not too large of a race and with it being the 50th year, I was under the impression that they would have known how many volunteers to put on the course. (there were plenty at the finish line handing out medals and blankets)
The shirt was nice. The medal was nice. My favorite parts of this event were the finish line area and the expo: after we crossed the finish line, we were able to go into a heated building where we got our post-race food and drinks. The vendors at the expo and the finish line area were super nice and the areas where they were held were tidy and well-organized.
My hotel was a 6-minute walk from the start and finish line, so I was able to wake up, get breakfast, go back to my room for one last pit-stop and be on my merry way.
***oh yeah – there was a massive hill at mile 23. Don’t waste your heart rate on that. Just walk it. You’ll make up for it on the downhill – your quads can hurt tomorrow ☺ ***
WASHINGTON STATE: ✓
Strong race with room for improvement
Course: The course is about as flat as one could ask for in Seattle. There are some long gradual declines/inclines on the bike trail that you can feel more than … MORE
Course: The course is about as flat as one could ask for in Seattle. There are some long gradual declines/inclines on the bike trail that you can feel more than see, but the only real hills are in miles 23 and 24.
Expo: The expo was modest, but you can buy gels or any last minute race necessities.
Race morning: The pre-race bag check was quick and easy. The starting area lacked any organization. There were no signs guiding runners where to line up based on pace. The pacers even had trouble getting from the starting line back into reasonable positions. Coming from the bag check, I had to enter from pretty far back and gradually make my way forward to where I should be. (I finished #95 overall.)
Race: Water stops were sufficient in number, but many were small and haphazardly organized, with no consistent placement of water vs Gatorade. One early stop on the highway was placed on the far right side of the road on a long sweeping left turn. I skipped the water stop rather than run the significant extra distance.
Post-race: The stadium finish was a nice feature, with easy access to the indoor recovery area–until you realize that your checked bag is at the top level of the stadium. Runners had to walk up long and very steep bleacher steps, retrieve their bags, and then walk back down the steps before continuing into the recovery area.
Swag: I loved the 50th anniversary shirt, a long-sleeved black tech tee with a gold design. The 50th anniversary finisher’s medal was equally impressive.
Overall: I’d give the Seattle Marathon a solid B that could be made an A with a few runner-focused tweaks.
First half marathon
My cousin pushed my into this race with only a month to train. I ran a marathon 18 months prior and had spent most of the time since then sitting … MORE
My cousin pushed my into this race with only a month to train. I ran a marathon 18 months prior and had spent most of the time since then sitting around.
The run was great. Nice weather. They had decent booths at the event check-in. Free GU gels is nice. I do remember some views of the city from the highway, most of the time you are in town. Running uphill across that long bridge at the end was tough.
Best City Race I Have Done
The race production was great, easy pick up, very organized. Best City Course I have ever ran, you go all the way around the city, even on the main freeway … MORE
The race production was great, easy pick up, very organized. Best City Course I have ever ran, you go all the way around the city, even on the main freeway I5 which was really cool, over bridges, though downtown, though parks and starts at the space needle and ends in a cool stadium. Race swag was nice, lots of free gifts at the end. The medal was a little small otherwise I loved this race. It’s a must do if you want to enjoy a city run.
Nice hometown race with hills
I ran the half and did a decent time given the uphill sections. There is enough good downhill to make up for the loss of time on the uphills. Well … MORE
I ran the half and did a decent time given the uphill sections. There is enough good downhill to make up for the loss of time on the uphills. Well run and nice views. Would definitely do again.
Always a well put together race.
I am a returning runner for this event. I was there in support of my sister and her very first half-marathon finish. Plenty of water/aid stations. Plenty of strangers rooting … MORE
I am a returning runner for this event. I was there in support of my sister and her very first half-marathon finish. Plenty of water/aid stations. Plenty of strangers rooting runners on. Beautiful, fun, and challenging course. Swag could be better for what you pay but you definitely get your money’s worth on the course. 😉
A Dream Come True!!!
2016 was the final year to race across the beautiful I-90 Floating Bridge and even though I was a half marathoner, the race officials allowed me to race across the … MORE
2016 was the final year to race across the beautiful I-90 Floating Bridge and even though I was a half marathoner, the race officials allowed me to race across the floating bridge with the full marathoners! A dream come true for me!! What an amazing and beautiful course full of happy volunteers and police offers making sure that our race day was perfect! And the quality of my shiny new bling….feels like an Olympic medal!! Thank You to the Amica Seattle Marathon crew for giving this lady a happy ending to 2016!!
good running conditions
The short steep inclines and declines in the second half made the half-marathon a challenge. I was also concerned about cold and rain that late in November in Seattle, however, … MORE
The short steep inclines and declines in the second half made the half-marathon a challenge. I was also concerned about cold and rain that late in November in Seattle, however, conditions on that day proved to be good for running. Some spots were a little slippery from wet leaves or pine needles
Hilly and awesome!
I do this one every year - great organization, and great course in an AWESOME city. The weather was great this year, but is typically in the 20s and often … MORE
I do this one every year – great organization, and great course in an AWESOME city. The weather was great this year, but is typically in the 20s and often wet/icy, so do be prepared. Great crowds, good finishers’ chute and easy transportation.
Best Part of Thanksgiving Weekend
I look forward to this race every fall. It's the perfect cap to the Thanksgiving weekend. This was my 6th year running the half and it never disappoints. Well run, … MORE
I look forward to this race every fall. It’s the perfect cap to the Thanksgiving weekend. This was my 6th year running the half and it never disappoints. Well run, great volunteers, the expo is organized and convenient, if a little small for such a big race. The weather is a toss up – I’ve run in both sunny, nearly 55 degree weather and below 20 degrees! But, that’s late fall in Seattle! Really a great race and I’ve already signed up for next year!
Great goodies and organization.
Love that you run into the stadium to the finish line. Race goodies were incredible (soup!). Plenty of room to meet with family and stretch. Race course was tough and … MORE
Love that you run into the stadium to the finish line. Race goodies were incredible (soup!). Plenty of room to meet with family and stretch. Race course was tough and beautiful!
Beautiful but Unexciting
The course is beautiful, but in typical Seattle fashion it rained & was so cold. Plus the course had a couple gnarly hills towards the end. The medal & swag … MORE
The course is beautiful, but in typical Seattle fashion it rained & was so cold. Plus the course had a couple gnarly hills towards the end. The medal & swag was pretty lame. Also, there was no one really cheering along the course.
I’ve done way more fun half & 10ks so as my first marathon I was kind of let down.
Great race- I'd do it again!
I enjoyed this race a lot. It was challenging, but not as much as a lot of Washington races. The scenery was great and varied, from the streets of Downtown … MORE
I enjoyed this race a lot. It was challenging, but not as much as a lot of Washington races. The scenery was great and varied, from the streets of Downtown to residential neighborhoods to the Arboretum. The expo and recovery area were excellent. The only drawbacks is that there was not quite as much crowd support as I’m used to (although it got better as the day went on), and there was a tiny little snag with my results. I also thought the medal could have been a bit more impressive.
Hilly course with beautiful views
What a beautiful winding course through downtown Seattle taking you past iconic buildings, hillside along the water, up through a lush forest, and ending right at the base of the … MORE
What a beautiful winding course through downtown Seattle taking you past iconic buildings, hillside along the water, up through a lush forest, and ending right at the base of the space needle. This course had an abundance of water/Gatorade stations nearly every mile and a half and many conveniently placed ‘honey pots’. I would recommend lightweight rain gear and a warm hat/gloves!
Best Race Hands Down!
Love this race, my husband and I run it for our anniversary every year! This year was our tenth anniversary, can't imagine a better way to have spent it! Gorgeous … MORE
Love this race, my husband and I run it for our anniversary every year! This year was our tenth anniversary, can’t imagine a better way to have spent it! Gorgeous course, great pre and post race expos, fun group, and energizing race!
Great experience
This is a fun and challenging race. A lot of hills especially on Madison st around mile 7. There are great views by the water and plenty of water stations … MORE
This is a fun and challenging race. A lot of hills especially on Madison st around mile 7. There are great views by the water and plenty of water stations and medical tent. The weather was perfect around 40 degrees. The recovery area was indoor which is great to warm up and eat chicken soup.
Love it!
This race weekend has become a family tradition. Staying downtown to enjoy the holiday festivities whilst wrapping it up with a lovely jaunt through Seattle. Love the starting area under … MORE
This race weekend has become a family tradition. Staying downtown to enjoy the holiday festivities whilst wrapping it up with a lovely jaunt through Seattle.
Love the starting area under the Space Needle and finishing on the soft turf of Memorial Stadium is pleasant.
Would be nice to see some creativity with the medals. A little more pizazz, something to make them more memorable.