Lake Sammamish Half Marathon
Redmond, WA
- Half Marathon
- Road (Paved), Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
The Lake Sammamish Half Marathon takes runners along the smooth trail that connects Marymoor Park in Redmond to Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah. This interurban trail is very popular with runners; about 30% of the course will be on smooth gravel surface and 70% on pavement. We also offer … MORE
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A favorite
This was the second time running this half marathon; the first time being my first half ever. I love this one from start to finish a beautiful race along the … MORE
This was the second time running this half marathon; the first time being my first half ever. I love this one from start to finish a beautiful race along the lake. Also my favorite to keep me active all winter. I will likely run this again 🙂
Do it!!!
The views! The course! The organization, aid stations, spectators! Best medal EVER! Even the shuttle buses were great! Well thought, beautiful, flat, fast. <3 MORE
The views!
The course!
The organization, aid stations, spectators!
Best medal EVER!
Even the shuttle buses were great!
Well thought, beautiful, flat, fast. <3
Chef’s Kiss
This was a flat, scenic, and well supported course. The lovely route goes between two parks along Lake Sammamish. There was quite a bottle neck in the beginning due to … MORE
This was a flat, scenic, and well supported course. The lovely route goes between two parks along Lake Sammamish. There was quite a bottle neck in the beginning due to a narrow bridge we all cross while much too concentrated, but once we all got into Marymoore park it was smooth sailing. The course seemed to be very spectator friendly and the volunteers were so supportive and top-notch. The medal was probably the best I’ve ever gotten. I didn’t use the shuttle system, but it seemed like a well oiled machine and the after-race festivities in the park were crowded but, again, well supported. It was an all around great experience.
Amazing race for my first half!
Plenty of aid stations with lots of volunteers and great views. The medal feels high quality and the swag shirt feels so comfortable. For my first time racing a half, … MORE
Plenty of aid stations with lots of volunteers and great views. The medal feels high quality and the swag shirt feels so comfortable. For my first time racing a half, I really feel like I want to look into more Orca Running events.
Absolute perfection!
This race is fantastic! The trail from Redmond to Lake Sammamish State Park is gorgeous and great for runners of all abilities. The race medal is beautiful and great t-shirts … MORE
This race is fantastic! The trail from Redmond to Lake Sammamish State Park is gorgeous and great for runners of all abilities. The race medal is beautiful and great t-shirts as well! So many awesome vendors at the finish line and plentiful on-time shuttles at the finish line to drive you back to your car if you parked at the start line. Highly recommend this race! 🙂
Scenic Pacific Northwest Half
This is a beautiful part of the country. This was one of the smaller races I have completed but it was definitely well done. I liked the option to have … MORE
This is a beautiful part of the country. This was one of the smaller races I have completed but it was definitely well done. I liked the option to have a tree planted in place of getting a race shirt. I have too many shirts as it is. There were some hills but they were mild and manageable.
my favorite races
The trail is a little bit challenge due to the climbing, really looking forward the race in 2024 after the trail construction is complete! Energy supply is great, hope the … MORE
The trail is a little bit challenge due to the climbing, really looking forward the race in 2024 after the trail construction is complete! Energy supply is great, hope the water can be supplied with cup together!
Fast and fun.
The starting line was very crowded, but once it got going, it was smooth sailing. Everyone was happy to be running a flat and fast track. The one big hill … MORE
The starting line was very crowded, but once it got going, it was smooth sailing. Everyone was happy to be running a flat and fast track. The one big hill was a challenge, making me want to return when it’s just the trail. Train hard and you’ll crush your PR.
The shirt and medal were ok. Usually nicer items.
Good Course! Very Poor Bag Drop!
This is my second time running this race and it is a great one! Love the course, the scenery views and the pacers! But… This year I’m very disappointed with … MORE
This is my second time running this race and it is a great one! Love the course, the scenery views and the pacers!
But… This year I’m very disappointed with the management of the bag drop! I have seen recently on IG that Orca running has a new truck and in this case it was used to move everything from point A to B. But why the bags weren’t kept im the truck all the time!? It wasn’t a surprise that it was going to rain and half of the backpacks were out of the tent and soaked, and also in a pile being very difficult to find yours…
I will for sure repeat running this race and also Orca Running races but I think this is something to do better in the coming ones.
Great, earth-friendly race!
The aid stations were well spaced and well equipped The medial doesn’t compete with the race to break your neck (made of wood👍) And the checkin process kept everything super … MORE
The aid stations were well spaced and well equipped
The medial doesn’t compete with the race to break your neck (made of wood👍)
And the checkin process kept everything super simple despite my having forgotten entirely about packet pickup earlier in the week.
Thank you for a great event!
Very organized event
We did not know what to expect in this event, but it was soo organized. From signing up, picking up the swag, the day of the event, the shuttle, etc! … MORE
We did not know what to expect in this event, but it was soo organized. From signing up, picking up the swag, the day of the event, the shuttle, etc! I never try joining a Orca race, but this event is top notch! Looking forward to more race with this organization.
One of my favorite races.
Great way to start off the new year. Be prepared for all sorts of weather. You never know what you’ll get in the PNW. Until they finish the construction on … MORE
Great way to start off the new year. Be prepared for all sorts of weather. You never know what you’ll get in the PNW. Until they finish the construction on the trail, there’s a significant hill at mile 7.5. Many people walk up. Always a unique medal at the finish. Great support and volunteers.
Another Great Orca Running Event
As usual with Orca, this was a well-organized event. I appreciate the fact that they offered both pre-race and race day packet pickup. Lines on race day moved quickly. Plenty … MORE
As usual with Orca, this was a well-organized event. I appreciate the fact that they offered both pre-race and race day packet pickup. Lines on race day moved quickly. Plenty of portapotties at the start. The route is point-to-point going from Connector park in downtown Redmond to Lake Sammamish State Park, mostly along the paved/packed gravel Lake Sammamish trail passing by lots of swanky lakeside houses. There are great views of the Lake and for the most part the race was flat and fast, apart from a climb where (due to trail construction) you had to leave the trail and go alongside the road for a couple of miles. The trail is narrow initially so there is some bottlenecking as you move from Redmond onto the Lake Sammamish trail, winding and weaving (maybe stopped me from going too fast at the beginning), but things open up a little for most of the route. This is mostly a cupless race, which is well-publicized in advance, and there are several aid stations with water and electrolytes, and cheerful volunteers. A variety of snacks and drinks at the finish, several sponsors and vendors. Lovely soft-blend t-shirts, and a gorgeous hand-crafted medal. I thoroughly enjoy this race!
Weather got us- cold windy rain
Will be great when trail construction complete but was not terrible with road section. My bag that I checked was soaked- wish they would have kept the gear covered (some … MORE
Will be great when trail construction complete but was not terrible with road section. My bag that I checked was soaked- wish they would have kept the gear covered (some was under tents but some not and sitting in puddles on tarps. So cold after that warm dry clothes were needed. In future I will make sure I have a water proof bag. I do like the ORCA running races and swag. Medals are beautiful and unique.
Sustainable beutiful race
- Sustainable Race - no desposable cup policy - Gels available (I expiriences empty fuel stations at other r aces but they had it nailed down) - great sponsorship (REI … MORE
– Sustainable Race – no desposable cup policy
– Gels available (I expiriences empty fuel stations at other r aces but they had it nailed down)
– great sponsorship (REI discounts)
– awesome views of the lake
– rolling hills (Mile 6 or 7 was painful but came with a nice downhil afterwards)
– NO out and back which I loves
– no wait time for a shuttle after the race
This was my first-time and it was great!
Easy and very scenic route! Special thanks to REI for organizing the race and to the volunteers who were awesome 👏 There was at mile 7-9 off trail section with … MORE
Easy and very scenic route! Special thanks to REI for organizing the race and to the volunteers who were awesome 👏 There was at mile 7-9 off trail section with an uphill area and that was the only uphill during the course. Rest were more or less flat and with Lake Sammamish views.
My Favorite Half
This is a point to point race. So be prepared to get back to finish line (they do have shuttle services). This year's registration was more than last year and … MORE
This is a point to point race. So be prepared to get back to finish line (they do have shuttle services). This year’s registration was more than last year and so be early to get a parking spot near the start line. There is a trail construction going on and hence there is a segment which needs to be run on the shoulder (this portion is little hilly, so plan your pace accordingly). Hopefully the construction will be over by end of 2023 and 2024 would be the flatter one. This is a cupless race, but they do provide cups for the participants at the start to be used at the aid stations. I carry my hydration bottle, so the cupless doesnt bother me much. The first mile is congested and cramped, so plan well to start slowly. There are certain spots where you get to enjoy the lake. I like this course due to various other reasons and will continue to run every year if possible. This is the 3rd time running this race (2020 would have made this 4th, unfortunately it didnt).
Great race, 2024 will be even better
I really enjoyed this race and thought it was well produced. Right now with trail construction the course is a little rough by comparison, since runners are pushed to the … MORE
I really enjoyed this race and thought it was well produced. Right now with trail construction the course is a little rough by comparison, since runners are pushed to the road around mile 5 or so, requiring narrow shoulders and large hills. Hopefully in 2024 the course is back on the trail all the way. The only major improvements that this race could benefit from are better pre-race announcements – the start line was somewhat chaotic – and abandoning the cupless model, which makes trying to run fast really difficult.
Used to be the fastest half in Seattle
The Lake Sammamish Half Marathon used to be the fastest half marathon in the Seattle area. Unfortunately, two major changes have occurred that make it a far inferior race to … MORE
The Lake Sammamish Half Marathon used to be the fastest half marathon in the Seattle area. Unfortunately, two major changes have occurred that make it a far inferior race to what it used to be.
First, the Lake Sammamish Trail is under construction and is likely to remain so for at least another two years, if not three or more. What this means is that the course has to detour around the construction, adding significant elevation gain. In addition, this means it’s not USATF certified, and in 2022, the course was significantly short.
Second, Orca Running took over the race in 2021, and since Orca doesn’t provide cups, you’re going to lose around two minutes either carrying water (2s / lb / mile) or stopping at the aid stations to fill your cup. Decelerating and accelerating even from 7:30 or 8:00 pace is brutal.
Given the above concerns, Lake Sammamish is not a bad training run or fun run half. There’s nothing wrong with that; it’s just disappointing that this has happened to formerly by far the fastest best half in the Seattle area.
Overall, a positive experience.
Easy registration, the packet pickup was a little challenging as it was only offered in a short window during regular business hours. (We prefer to pick up prior to race … MORE
Easy registration, the packet pickup was a little challenging as it was only offered in a short window during regular business hours. (We prefer to pick up prior to race day) On the day of event, parking was a breeze, short walk to the start. Gear check was super easy. The race start was delayed just slightly, but they made clear announcements on it, the wave starts were nicely timed and space out. The event was well-coordinated, always appreciate the volunteers and their wonderful attitude, course was absolutely beautiful and easy. The end of race festivities and offerings were nice. Gear pick up was just a easy as drop off. The shuttle back to the start was well-coordinated as well. The Finisher medal is really nice. The Finisher photos were ready to view in less than a week! My only disappointment was the T-Shirt. In my 2 decades of running races, I have never received a short-sleeved T-Shirt for a race in March, and the quality of the shirt was very poor. I’m used to getting “Tech Training” type 100% polyester long-sleeved shirts. This was some Cotton Tri-Blend, very thin, scratchy material. After one wash, it’s pretty much ruined. Such a shame because the design of it is quite nice. It is not a shirt I would consider wearing around town or even to use as a training piece. I would definitely consider doing this race again and would be hopeful the shirt offered would be much improved.