You will be hard-pressed to find a race more beautiful than the Fidalgo Trail Run (or at least we think so)! This run takes place in Deception Pass State Park – the most-visited park in Washington – and weaves you through the forestlands, along the water and over the Deception …
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You will be hard-pressed to find a race more beautiful than the Fidalgo Trail Run (or at least we think so)! This run takes place in Deception Pass State Park – the most-visited park in Washington – and weaves you through the forestlands, along the water and over the Deception Pass Bridge; if you’re scared of heights, don’t look down.
All distances will enjoy multiple lollipops that bring you to the steep shorelines of Rosario, Lighthouse, and Lottie Points. Then the half-marathon course will wind through smooth forested trails around Pass Lake. Then runners will cross the famous Deception Pass Bridge before circling around and over the summit of Goose Rock. It’s then a long out and back to the sandy shores of West Beach, before trekking back across the Bridge and back to Bowman Bay. Marathon runners will get to complete this incredible loop twice!
This is a great run for the whole family to enjoy. The race starts and finishes at Bowman’s Bay, which is located on the water with a sandy beach and picnic area. While your family is enjoying the relaxing atmosphere, you can tackle a 5-mile, half, or full marathon run!
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Beautiful, Challenging, Positive Vibes
This was my first half-marathon. I chose it primarily because of the incredible location, which did not disappoint. But I was super happy with how organized it was. Some of … MORE
This was my first half-marathon. I chose it primarily because of the incredible location, which did not disappoint. But I was super happy with how organized it was. Some of the route was tricky, but they had great trail markers and volunteers to help along the way. The snacks were so good, they kept us hydrated, and everyone from organizers to the other runners were so positive and encouraging the whole time.
Beautiful trail run at Deception Pass
I love running this race. The marathon is two laps of the half course which takes you around Bowman Bay and Deception Pass. The trail is moderately challenging with some … MORE
I love running this race. The marathon is two laps of the half course which takes you around Bowman Bay and Deception Pass. The trail is moderately challenging with some technical bits and a climb up to the top of goose rock. Anacortes is nearby and is a cute little town to spend the weekend at and hang out at their historic downtown afterwards.
GORGEOUS VIEWS
The 5 miler has 3 loops / lollipops. Trail is a mix of flattened trail, rocky trail, beach - sand & rocks. Steep climbs. Well marked and again… GORGEOUS views!! MORE
The 5 miler has 3 loops / lollipops. Trail is a mix of flattened trail, rocky trail, beach – sand & rocks. Steep climbs. Well marked and again… GORGEOUS views!!
Beautiful and challenging
The aide stations were amazing with really helpful volunteers that would help you get fluids into your water bottle while you ate snacks. The views were incredible along with the … MORE
The aide stations were amazing with really helpful volunteers that would help you get fluids into your water bottle while you ate snacks. The views were incredible along with the sunrise on Deception Pass.
Best scenery around!
The course is one of the most gorgeous courses out there. However, you do pay a good price to have those gorgeous views (my knees are still crying). Aid stations … MORE
The course is one of the most gorgeous courses out there. However, you do pay a good price to have those gorgeous views (my knees are still crying). Aid stations are well placed and this race has some of the BEST volunteers and crew. Other runners were awesome, as well. I’ve never gotten so many thumbs up and “great job” while running a race.
My only issue was the shuttle bus, I got there at 7:15am and one shuttle came around 7:35 but filled up quickly so myself and two others had to get off and wait for the next one. The next one came about 7:50-ish, so we knew we wouldn’t make the start time. There ended up being four of us that started late, which was fine overall. Had more trail to ourselves!
Beautiful, Challenging, Exciting
The elevation gain makes this one quite a doozy, but the rewards are worth the challenge! Unbeatable landscapes and seascapes around every corner make this one a real adventure. Race … MORE
The elevation gain makes this one quite a doozy, but the rewards are worth the challenge! Unbeatable landscapes and seascapes around every corner make this one a real adventure. Race staff and volunteers were wonderful, aid stations well-placed and stocked with a nice variety of snacks and treats. A lot of the single-track is definitely on the technical side, but that’s helped by the trails generally not being too crowded.
I opted out of the race jersey to reduce waist (a nice option to have) so I can’t speak to the quality, but the finisher magnet and second-place plaque made from etched wood are quite nice!
I’m already looking forward to next year’s race!
Hardest race I have ever done! Love it!
This race is amazing! The course was extremely challenging and gorgeous! I am not from the Seattle area so I didn’t know anyone. Some of the other people running were … MORE
This race is amazing! The course was extremely challenging and gorgeous! I am not from the Seattle area so I didn’t know anyone. Some of the other people running were really nice but for the most part it was like being the new kid in school everyone had their cliches and if you were apart of it you basically didn’t exist. No one cheered when you crossed the line. I have never been to a race where that happened. At the very least the race organizers should at least give a thumbs up. This is definitely a trail run and definitely not for a beginner runner! If you plan on doing this race make sure you train and train and train some more. I definitely recommend this course.
Difficult but so fun!
A beautiful location for a run - there weren't a lot of non-runners on the trails, and the views (even from the 5M) were great! The event is difficult but … MORE
A beautiful location for a run – there weren’t a lot of non-runners on the trails, and the views (even from the 5M) were great! The event is difficult but really worth it – just be ready to “hike” instead of run for some of it!
Those Views!!!
Worth the drive from BC! The race course was one of the most beautiful ones I've ever been on. The RDs were fantastic and the volunteers were some of the … MORE
Worth the drive from BC! The race course was one of the most beautiful ones I’ve ever been on. The RDs were fantastic and the volunteers were some of the best! I will totally be registering for this one again!
Spectacular views and tough terrain
The views were breathtaking!! Liked the loops. The passing on the 2 ways was a little tight with the tough terrain but overall was an amazing course in such a … MORE
The views were breathtaking!!
Liked the loops. The passing on the 2 ways was a little tight with the tough terrain but overall was an amazing course in such a beautiful area of the state.
Best views ever!
Super well organized run with espectacular views! The very steep climbs are absolutely worth it because at the top you get open view of the water other small islands and … MORE
Super well organized run with espectacular views!
The very steep climbs are absolutely worth it because at the top you get open view of the water other small islands and the bridge. You can feel (and smell) the ocean breeze throughout the whole race and it’s just so good for your lungs and for your soul.
The organization was great. The only downside for me was that I got a bit lost twice and the volunteer only seem to know where to send marathoners and half, but wasn’t sure about my short distance. It all turned out ok though! The beautiful hand made magnets instead of medals were a nice touch. And if you love getting a shirt anyways they had them for sale at the end at a very low price.
I will certainly be back next year!
I could not ask for better views!
This trail was well run, simple, organized, and the food and drinks at the aid stations were phenomenal. Exploring Deception Pass through several different loops did not get tiring, and … MORE
This trail was well run, simple, organized, and the food and drinks at the aid stations were phenomenal. Exploring Deception Pass through several different loops did not get tiring, and the weather on race day could not have been more perfect. I liked the simplicity of the event, and I felt my money paid was well worth the event. I’m looking forward to more of their trail races!
Stunning views, amazing organizers <3
PROS: - The views from the trail are amazing - The shuttle to/from the start line (with limited parking!) was well-planned - Bag drop is always handy, even if it … MORE
PROS:
– The views from the trail are amazing
– The shuttle to/from the start line (with limited parking!) was well-planned
– Bag drop is always handy, even if it was a bit informal (just stashing our own stuff under a tent)
– Extra restrooms (portapotties) brought in at start line
– Plenty of pre-race info to prepare you for how technical the course is and how many water break spots there will be/notes that it is cupless race
– Physical therapist onsite along with some handy recovery tools (nice!)
– Great signage on course, along with helpful volunteers anywhere it got a bit tricky
– I mean those little kiddos do their shorter race were just so cute
– Course following starting line gave us a bit of open terrain to sort ourselves out before we got onto single track
– The post-race provisions were on-point and seasonal (tomato soup on a crisp fall day is just the best!)
CONS:
– Hard to think of one. It really was a fantastic race. The only regret I have, that they didn’t have control over, was not being able to easily hop in the car after and cruise around the state park, since we had to head back to Anacortes with the shuttle.
We hope to do this one again, which is maybe the best review I can give, since there are so many pretty races/runs to do in the PNW. 🙂
Wow, amazing
I walk this beautiful trails before but never thought I will run them one day , and that day came and when pretty well, better than I expected. Now I … MORE
I walk this beautiful trails before but never thought I will run them one day , and that day came and when pretty well, better than I expected. Now I want to run this every year. My daughter did amazing she is only 12 yrs old and she smoke this.
Worthy, love it , we will be back next year.
A beautiful & challenging run
Such a nice view of Deception Pass! Highly recommend, but I could see people being a little nervous about the heights while on the bridge. Also, there was a 6600 … MORE
Such a nice view of Deception Pass! Highly recommend, but I could see people being a little nervous about the heights while on the bridge. Also, there was a 6600 foot elevation which was a bit rough, especially on the hills the second time around. Overall, the scenery was absolutely beautiful and worth it all. The volunteers and people who organized it were very kind and helpful.
best trail race in deception pass area
be careful with the route, well marked, but a lot of loops/turns/crossing to not miss. hills are in small increments, mostly runnable. some down hills are pretty technical. MORE
be careful with the route, well marked, but a lot of loops/turns/crossing to not miss. hills are in small increments, mostly runnable. some down hills are pretty technical.
SO Beautiful!
This race was not easy, having just a tad bit of elevation - but the views and the course made up for every bit of it. Coming from Texas it … MORE
This race was not easy, having just a tad bit of elevation – but the views and the course made up for every bit of it. Coming from Texas it was heaven for me. The race was well organized, the volunteers helpful and kind, and the runners were well taken care of. This will definitely be an annual race for me.
All around amazing; scenery, course!
This course is hard but absolutely worth every second! The views are unmatched, the course winds around miles of bluff overlooking the sound and crosses over the Deception Pass four … MORE
This course is hard but absolutely worth every second! The views are unmatched, the course winds around miles of bluff overlooking the sound and crosses over the Deception Pass four times for unmatched scenery. Most of the course is runnable and pleasant, all the elevation is done in short bursts and doesn’t drag on. As always, Evergreen’s race organization and production was top notch for an overall excellent race experience! Definitely recommend to anyone on the fence about this race!
Technical and gorgeous views
Be prepared for technical running and scrambling! This is not a race (even the 5 miler) for runners not prepared for true trail running. For those looking for a lot … MORE
Be prepared for technical running and scrambling! This is not a race (even the 5 miler) for runners not prepared for true trail running. For those looking for a lot of uphill and lots of challenges, this is your race. And you can’t beat the beauty of Deception Pass! Also, enjoyed the starting waves.
Technical half marathon!
I have always run for myself and have never participated in races before. I am now addicted! The course was technical with so much uphill and complicated intersections but it … MORE
I have always run for myself and have never participated in races before. I am now addicted! The course was technical with so much uphill and complicated intersections but it was clear at all times which way to go. There was so much support and the aid stations were perfectly placed. I can’t wait to do it again. Thank you so much.