Lake Sammamish Half Marathon
Redmond, WA
- Half Marathon
- Road (Paved), Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
The Lake Sammamish Half Marathon is a point to point race that 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 and is fully paved. We also offer a half-marathon walk category … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Mar 06):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 52 | 52 | 44 | 50 | 50 |
| L (°F) | 45 | 42 | 29 | 33 | 34 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Awesome PR ready local race
Well produced race with a very fast field. Packet pickup at Bellevue REI was smooth though wish they had a Seattle option as well. Startline was a bit crowded and … MORE
Well produced race with a very fast field. Packet pickup at Bellevue REI was smooth though wish they had a Seattle option as well. Startline was a bit crowded and clearly this race is at capacity, we were in the bushes of the city hall park which was all fine but still congested getting onto the bike path. After a mile or so, things lightened up and found the 1:30 group. Very well produced local half that lines up well with Spring marathons. I did not use the bus shuttle but pickup at Lake Sammamish State Park was ez and not super crowded in the parking lots. Parking at the start was easy in the empty office parks across the river a quick jog away. Flat, fast, and cold = PR weather. The views on Eastlake Sammamish are nice too!
Bring back the old course
I ran in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2026. I was so excited because this has long been my favorite half, but the new finish area was disappointing. The old course … MORE
I ran in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2026. I was so excited because this has long been my favorite half, but the new finish area was disappointing. The old course was better! The slippery bridges (even with chicken wire) and the large puddles and gravel in the final 0.1 mile were worse than the zig zags on the paved finish. Plus it was fun to finish by the lake before! This time, the course finished in on muddy gravel and the finish party was in a muddy soccer field. The hairpin out-and-back at mile 12 wasn’t pleasant either. I love this race, but I wish they could return to the older course that started at Redmond City Center and finished on the lake!
Super flat and fast
This was an amazing race that we got super lucky was not raining given the day before and the day after. You can pay to have your bib mailed which … MORE
This was an amazing race that we got super lucky was not raining given the day before and the day after. You can pay to have your bib mailed which is nice because packet pick up is on THURSDAY. If you’re not a local, that doesn’t work. You can do it morning of but that just adds a layer of stress. Starts in Redmond, WA with plenty of hotels (and good restaurants) in the area. About 3000 people were registered and it’s a bike path so they do waves to start. Even still, it’s crowded. You run to the river path, then along the river for a bit, then over to the Lake Sammamish path. Again, it’s narrow so you need to find your place and get around the people who are running abreast while watching for potential oncoming bike/runners/dog walkers but it wasn’t awful. It was cool and overcast which was great and given it is at an elevation of ~45feet, if you’re from the mountains, there is so much oxygen!! Flat as a pancake. Saw a male and female bald eagle in the trees which was cool. It’s a cup-less race so they give you a handheld cup to fill at the water stops, or where a pack or carry a bottle. As you get closer to Issaquah, you jump up to street level, then turn on the sidewalk and run to the soccer field at the south end of the lake. The last tenth of a mile is gravel/mud (because of the rain). Not awful though. Given it’s a straight course, no worries about tangents, distance should be spot on. Medal is fine, you can opt out of a shirt and plant a tree instead and you don’t need to wait for a ceremony for AG awards. Field can be muddy, be aware. Decent food at the finish. They have buses back to the start. Shockingly fast field–My time only got me THIRD in the 50-54. First in my AG was 1:24!
Well run, beautiful, flat, safe course
Bring/carry your own bottle for the aid refill stations. Beautiful course along the lake, shuttles are great, great energy, safe paved trail. This year the finish was off road in … MORE
Bring/carry your own bottle for the aid refill stations. Beautiful course along the lake, shuttles are great, great energy, safe paved trail. This year the finish was off road in unpaved parking lot with a few quick turns at the finish which felt unstable in the last 100 yards. Great finish line support. Recommend parking near the finish and taking the shuttle before the race starts, but LONG lines to pick up packet and potty so no time to warm up unless in line at the start. Gear drop trucks are very helpful -bring your own bag. This year’s rain was welcome with temps in low 50s. Perfect weather for running, but need lube or powder in socks to prevent blisters in rain. Love this local race!
Flat, fast course!
Pretty run along the lake. Lots of people (1494). Very funneled at the beginning. Few zigzags at the very end before finish line. Great weather in March (drizzle) for a … MORE
Pretty run along the lake. Lots of people (1494). Very funneled at the beginning. Few zigzags at the very end before finish line. Great weather in March (drizzle) for a fast run.
Great course
Weather held out not too rainy and not too hilly. Lots of runners in good spirits and it was well put together. Orca running does a great job on putting … MORE
Weather held out not too rainy and not too hilly. Lots of runners in good spirits and it was well put together. Orca running does a great job on putting races together.
Always love this race!
I've run this race three times, once when it was really tiny wen coming out of Covid, last year, and this year. I loved the new start line- parking was … MORE
I’ve run this race three times, once when it was really tiny wen coming out of Covid, last year, and this year. I loved the new start line- parking was really easy and it wasn’t as crowded in the beginning. The new finish line was a little snake-like which I understood they had to do to get the exact 13.1, but it was amazing for the spectators! The start and finish have changed a few times over the years which makes me think they’re trying to get everything just right. Hopefully next year! I’ll do it again no matter what.
Great race as usual, new finish not good
I have been doing this race for 12 years so I have ran all the iterations of it during trail construction and COVID times. It is always a great race … MORE
I have been doing this race for 12 years so I have ran all the iterations of it during trail construction and COVID times. It is always a great race I love the course and Orca running in general. The finish this year though was not good. It was a mini “snake of death” reminiscent of the “snake of death” finish the year it ended in the Sunset beach parking lot. Thankfully it was not as many turns this year but it still was a poor way to finish making it very tough to push to the end for a time. Also the u-turn on the sidewalk and run down through the bushes on a path to the mini snake was not a favorite. I’m unclear why running into the park through the side road to where the finish has been the last several years is such an issue. Hopefully it will be improved next year!
Nice flat course, well-organized
I have run this race several times and it is generally a good experience. My one constructive feedback is that the start and finish locations and course have changed nearly … MORE
I have run this race several times and it is generally a good experience. My one constructive feedback is that the start and finish locations and course have changed nearly every year. This year the last 1/4 miles was a crazy series of turns and weaving around a parking lot that was terrible. I know it was to have a full 13.1, but runners were confused on where to go, and the final minutes were annoying. There was no way to know how much longer you had or to do a finishing kick.
Love the new start, hated the finish.
This race is made to PR. I was very disappointed with the zig zag finish. Improved the start but the finish was one of the worst I’ve seen in my … MORE
This race is made to PR. I was very disappointed with the zig zag finish. Improved the start but the finish was one of the worst I’ve seen in my over 20 races. I hope they make it a straight away again.
Amazing organization
This race was impressive from start to finish. The buses were right on time to take us to the start. Extra points for having porta-potties right by where the buses … MORE
This race was impressive from start to finish. The buses were right on time to take us to the start. Extra points for having porta-potties right by where the buses picked us up. The ride to the start was scenic and the driver didn’t get lost. The lines at packet pick up were very long but it went so quick. Safe with the bathroom lines. The course was beautiful. The fuel stops were well stocked.
The only two issues were:
1. You ran out of small shirts.
2. Snaking around the parking lot to get in the yardage was annoying. It is hard to keep going when you pass the finish line twice.
I will do this race again.
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.