Kirkland Half Marathon & 5K
Kirkland, WA
- Half Marathon, 5K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved), Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
The Kirkland Half Marathon (fka Mother’s Day Half) course starts and finishes at Juanita Beach Park. The course is a combination of road and crushed gravel on the Cross Kirkland Corridor Trail with views of Lake Washington for much of the way! The 5K starts and finishes at Juanita Beach … MORE
Local Historical Weather (May 04):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 60 | 56 | 56 | 64 | 61 |
| L (°F) | 43 | 53 | 50 | 47 | 50 |
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Another great one!
I love this race! My second year running it, hit my PB on a course that's medium difficulty. Good size crowd, great vibe and Orca always does a class job … MORE
I love this race! My second year running it, hit my PB on a course that’s medium difficulty. Good size crowd, great vibe and Orca always does a class job organizing it. Was inspired to begin training for the Iron Horse Half-Marathon in August – first time at that distance in decades.
Scenic race with mix of terrain
Race was a mix of road and trail as advertised. Trail was very scenic. Mileage was posted in some areas but not all. Race was overall well run but a … MORE
Race was a mix of road and trail as advertised. Trail was very scenic. Mileage was posted in some areas but not all. Race was overall well run but a layout of booths could have been better.
Beautiful course! Best Mother’s Day run!
Swag and medal was beautiful! Course has uphills but definitely downhills after that. The course is scenic , the park bridge and water body cooled it down for a hot … MORE
Swag and medal was beautiful! Course has uphills but definitely downhills after that. The course is scenic , the park bridge and water body cooled it down for a hot day run. As a mom myself, what more to ask for a Mother’s Day!
The hill at the end was mean
I wish the mileage signs were larger and easier to see. It would be better if there were large flags, higher off the ground rather than the black and white … MORE
I wish the mileage signs were larger and easier to see. It would be better if there were large flags, higher off the ground rather than the black and white signs that were used in this race.
I like that the fuel stations were organized and included energy gels. There was a sufficient amount of tables
Very nice course, & pretty well done!
I was warned that the course was hilly, but was not prepared for the hills to go on so long! It pretty much killed me. I did PR, but had … MORE
I was warned that the course was hilly, but was not prepared for the hills to go on so long! It pretty much killed me. I did PR, but had to walk much of the way. I guess my long flat training runs hadn’t prepared me for the reality!
The finish line area was a madhouse, requiring a 90 degree turn after running through a waterfront crowd of kids and dogs and grandmas just having a day at the beach. There was no fenced off course there, and the lack of labeling or signage towards the end left me wondering when it would EVER end, or how many more convolutions through the park there would be.
However, that was only the end, and most of the course was wonderfully clear and easy to follow, with volunteers & police everywhere crossings were needed. I was bummed so much was along roadways, until we finally hit a long section in a lovely park with a wide open trail. I would have preferred to go out and back on that trail several times to avoid the hills and vehicle traffic!
The refreshments at the end were OK, but disappointing as my last half provided a catered hot meal, so the packaged snack foods and oranges left me a little wistful. But I was so wiped out all I could really do was lie on the grass in the shade anyway!
The medal was very pretty, simple and easy on the eyes. It surprised me that the t-shirt was cotton, instead of a tech fabric. It’s very soft, but I don’t know too many people who wear cotton for runs.
Great Crowd
Was a great race day. Orca always puts on a good race with very exuberant cheer squads. Liked the varied course of lake front and trail. Huge bonus of a … MORE
Was a great race day. Orca always puts on a good race with very exuberant cheer squads. Liked the varied course of lake front and trail. Huge bonus of a hill at the end!
Mother’s Day half
It was a great race. Lots of fun. It is not an easy course. It was an unusually hot day in PNW that added to the difficulty. But it was … MORE
It was a great race. Lots of fun. It is not an easy course. It was an unusually hot day in PNW that added to the difficulty. But it was fun.
This will be a new tradition!
This race is a surprising new favorite. The up hills were short and the down hills were fun. The mix of pavement and compact gravel were nice. Orca always is … MORE
This race is a surprising new favorite. The up hills were short and the down hills were fun. The mix of pavement and compact gravel were nice. Orca always is spot on with the mileage markers and their races are always well executed. Happy as always!
Always amazing with orca!
Even though I know Juanita routes are hilly, I know that Orca abs all their staff and volunteers have my back! Energetic and always environmentally conscious with I love. Great … MORE
Even though I know Juanita routes are hilly, I know that Orca abs all their staff and volunteers have my back! Energetic and always environmentally conscious with I love. Great people.
Decent course, epic staff!
Course is through a lot of residential areas so that kind of gets boring but when you get to run on the trail that's super fun and pretty. I don't … MORE
Course is through a lot of residential areas so that kind of gets boring but when you get to run on the trail that’s super fun and pretty. I don’t think I’ll do the half again but I’ll do that 5k again for sure.
Great organized race that has some hills
Great organization with awesome volunteers. Aid stations were excellent and appreciate that it is cupless. There were some pretty good hills and a tough long one between mile 11 & MORE
Great organization with awesome volunteers. Aid stations were excellent and appreciate that it is cupless. There were some pretty good hills and a tough long one between mile 11 & 12.
Finish line needs work
This is a tough race. I ran my PR and worked every second of it. There are a lot of hills and they’re concentrated in the beginning and end with … MORE
This is a tough race. I ran my PR and worked every second of it. There are a lot of hills and they’re concentrated in the beginning and end with a long flat trail in the middle. The finish line this year was terrible though. It was immediately after a 90 degree turn. I know Orca has some really good races and I know they are runners but I seriously question whoever designed this new route with a finish line immediately after a turn like that. A finish line should be on a straight away with plenty of room to race through it. They could at the very least have backed up the start by a few feet to make it happen and hopefully they do that for next year.
Great race and fun
The beautiful scenic view and good preparation with warm hearted volunteers and sponsors. The road is not hard. Very comfortable weather, I'd like to come back again next year again. MORE
The beautiful scenic view and good preparation with warm hearted volunteers and sponsors. The road is not hard. Very comfortable weather, I’d like to come back again next year again.
Great race!
This was a great course, with the exception of the hill :-). Running along lake Washington took your mind off running and I was able to just enjoy the peaceful … MORE
This was a great course, with the exception of the hill :-). Running along lake Washington took your mind off running and I was able to just enjoy the peaceful lake. The course was well marked and lots of volunteers cheering you on along the way! The start and finish lines were well organized and easy to follow Covid guidelines.
Mom worthy race
Medal and race shirt were fantastic. As always Orca racing did not disappoint. Manage your expectations and be prepared for a long steep incline and descend. MORE
Medal and race shirt were fantastic. As always Orca racing did not disappoint. Manage your expectations and be prepared for a long steep incline and descend.
Wonderful way to celebrate Mother's Day!
The course was well monitored by the exceptional Kirkland Police and friendly and helpful volunteers. The DJs were very encouraging and played "We're Not Gonna Take It" at the finish … MORE
The course was well monitored by the exceptional Kirkland Police and friendly and helpful volunteers. The DJs were very encouraging and played “We’re Not Gonna Take It” at the finish line — so vibrant!! The sponsors were gracious and generous, and the other participants were relaxed, friendly and cheering others on. The uphill portion was a good challenge, and made our family feel accomplished after we “conquered” it…hooray! And the rest of the course was downhill and flat. We hope to do this again next year! Thank you very, VERY much to Virginia Mason, Clear Alaskan Glacial, and all the other fantastic sponsors…you rock!!
A good variety destination race
A good all around race. Rolling hills, a couple big hills. A mixture of road & trail. Great support out on the course. Police at every street crossing. They looked … MORE
A good all around race. Rolling hills, a couple big hills. A mixture of road & trail. Great support out on the course. Police at every street crossing. They looked out and put the runners first. Beautiful views along the lake. The weather was pretty great too!! You start and finish at different places. You get shuttles back to the start. A little discouraging seeing mike 9 before before mile 3. Overall well organized. I would recommend this race if you like variety and prefer destination races (no out and backs).
Low-key race
The hill up 108th and then on to the trail is quite challenging. I like running on the trail. The Orca Running Co. races are always low-key with scenic runs … MORE
The hill up 108th and then on to the trail is quite challenging. I like running on the trail.
The Orca Running Co. races are always low-key with scenic runs and reasonable water tables.
I’m a fan. This is my fourth time doing this particular course. I am getting back into shape, but I’m still in the second half of the pack
I'll be back!
2019 was my first year running this race and I really liked it. I was not as prepared as I would have liked, but still enjoyed the course through Kirkland … MORE
2019 was my first year running this race and I really liked it. I was not as prepared as I would have liked, but still enjoyed the course through Kirkland and along the trails. I actually enjoyed the ups and downs … nothing lasted too long and all felt very attainable. I thought the race was well organized and enjoyed the start and finish locations. Another great run from Orca Running!
Very fun
This is the first race where I have been able to click on a link and find all the participants in my age group. Very handy and a time saver. … MORE
This is the first race where I have been able to click on a link and find all the participants in my age group. Very handy and a time saver. There are hills but only one ( around mile 6) that was hard. Very well done race.