Join the Galloping Gertie Half Marathon, 10K and 5K that shows off Tacoma’s and Gig Harbor’s finest views. Each race will run on the iconic Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Galloping Gertie), which features stunning views of the Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains, and the surrounding cities of Tacoma and …
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Join the Galloping Gertie Half Marathon, 10K and 5K that shows off Tacoma’s and Gig Harbor’s finest views. Each race will run on the iconic Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Galloping Gertie), which features stunning views of the Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains, and the surrounding cities of Tacoma and Gig Harbor. This is one of the few races that traverse the bridge span to span. All participants in the race will receive a custom finisher medal, free downloadable race photos and a cool tech tee! The best part? It all supports great local charities!
Galloping Gertie is the nickname of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, a local icon that spans the Puget Sound between Tacoma and Gig Harbor, Washington. Crossing it provides breathtaking views of the Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and the Olympic Mountains.
The original Tacoma Narrows Bridge suffered a catastrophic collapse in November 1940, just four months after it opened. It earned its nickname while it was under construction, when workers observed the bridge deck jump during periods of high wind. A fatal error in the engineering of the bridge resulted in its collapse when the winds caused something called aeroelastic flutter. At the time, Gertie was the third longest suspension bridge in the world.
The replacement bridge opened in 1950 (this is the existing westbound bridge) and the newer eastbound bridge (the one you will run across) opened in 2007. The engineering disaster that resulted in the collapse of the bridge makes the Tacoma Narrows Bridge one of the more famous in the world.
For over a decade, Rotary Club of Gig Harbor North has sponsored a half-marathon, 10k and 5K across the bridge. Local beneficiaries of the fundraising event will be FoodBackpacks4Kids, Children’s Home Society and Communities In School Peninsula.
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Washington is a beautiful State
Packet pick up is on race morning and it’s super easy to get your bib and shirt before had then walk back to your car to drop things off. The … MORE
Packet pick up is on race morning and it’s super easy to get your bib and shirt before had then walk back to your car to drop things off. The race starts and ends near a small airport but I didn’t see plans taking off or landing. The course is rolling the some beautiful wooded areas all paved streets with a bridge crossing that is very scenic.
Good small race
I loved running across the bridge. That’s kind of the draw I think for this more local smaller race. The organizers did a great job. It’s small and parking is … MORE
I loved running across the bridge. That’s kind of the draw I think for this more local smaller race. The organizers did a great job. It’s small and parking is limited, so if you get there when the open probably up until 15-20 minutes after packet pickup opens you can still get close parking. If you wait and get to the race 20 minutes before the half starts you will be walking a while to get to the start line. The race goes out then comes back, goes out another way then comes back then goes out across the bridge, then comes back. It has a few downs, then ups. Not terrible, but the last mile is definitely like pumping the brakes because it’s a decent hill then gradual uphill for about miles 12-12.5/12.75?? I can’t remember exactly. The other hill goes down for the first .5-maybe mile 1, then goes up maybe mile 4ish? The middle has some rollers that aren’t too bad.
Loved the shirt design. Be sure to order the correct size as they don’t have many to exchange post race. Some good snacks post race. The race organizers were out and about very friendly talking to people. Again, small welcoming vibe, if you are giving off good vibes yourself.
I would recommend this race and had fun myself. Good weather, good people, I personally don’t love the 3 out and backs course, but it was pretty and the bridge was fun to end on, so it made it worth it!
Also free photos and ice cream at the end!
Meh
I signed up for this race as a 50 state Challenger, knowing I was going to be doing Bridge of the gods the next day in Oregon. I had read … MORE
I signed up for this race as a 50 state Challenger, knowing I was going to be doing Bridge of the gods the next day in Oregon. I had read the reviews so I knew this race was not super highly rated. Communications prior to the race were sparse and emails that I sent with questions were unanswered. Bib pick up was on race morning. I do like that, but it was a little bit unorganized. The race started on time. I did not care for the course at all. It was a very open course and the traffic was heavy. I kept getting alerts from my Apple Watch regarding the decibel level with the road noise. The actual running across the bridge is the last 2 miles. The road noise was deafening. While the view was pretty, it was a very foggy morning and at that point, I was pretty tired. It wasn’t my best time, but thank God I finished when I did. Several other 50 state challengers who came in after me did not get a metal apparently they ran out. That I find to be completely unacceptable. They also gave the same medal for the people who finished the 5K and the 10K who obviously were all done by the time the majority of the half marathons came in. Organizers should’ve made sure that the people running 13.1 miles got their medals! Friends were very disappointed. I would not recommend this race unless you really wanted to get a double state weekend, just keep your expectations low.
Out & Backs, watch out for cars
It’s a hilly course and prepare for some elevation gain. I really dislike the 3 out and backs you have to do in this course and they were long. Although … MORE
It’s a hilly course and prepare for some elevation gain. I really dislike the 3 out and backs you have to do in this course and they were long. Although race organizers provided information about where to park, some people still parked along a section of the course (on the side of the road) where runners were expected to run. This led to congestion where runners were forced into the road or into a single-file line. There was also a park of the road where there were no volunteers and runners had to cross a semi busy street. Runners were throwing GUs and trash on the ground— and there are water stations throughout, just disrespectful, please don’t do this.
Other than that, the organization was better this year in terms of packet pick up. Still wish there was early pick up, but the line wasn’t massive like the year before. Race started on time. Beautiful views and cool air when you’re running on the bridge. There was ice cream afterwards!
Beautiful Course
This is an incredibly small race! But the runners, volunteers and even police officers were so encouraging. There aren’t many water stations so make sure to run with your own … MORE
This is an incredibly small race! But the runners, volunteers and even police officers were so encouraging. There aren’t many water stations so make sure to run with your own water.
Rolling hills were around mile 7-9. The run across the Narrows is beautiful but the wind will definitely slow you down. I wasn’t properly hydrated for this race and had my worst half marathon time!