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.
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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.
Great race, even for beginners
This was my first in-person half marathon and it couldn't have gone better. The course was great and even with the detour up the hill, it was relatively easy (flat!). … MORE
This was my first in-person half marathon and it couldn’t have gone better. The course was great and even with the detour up the hill, it was relatively easy (flat!). This is definitely a race I’ll sign up for again in the future. Well organized and everyone seemed very cheerful. The medal is well designed and the t-shirt is one that I’ll actually wear!
Loved this race!!
Ran this race for the first time today and it was fantastic! The course is mostly along the water so its super pretty. The weather was perfect. The medal is … MORE
Ran this race for the first time today and it was fantastic! The course is mostly along the water so its super pretty. The weather was perfect. The medal is also gorgeous and the t-shirt they gave out is super soft and has a great design! Overall, highly recommend for everyone!
Fantastic local race all around
I’ve been running this race for 10 years and was thrilled it was back as an in person option in 2021. Orca did an outstanding job with the COVID requirements … MORE
I’ve been running this race for 10 years and was thrilled it was back as an in person option in 2021. Orca did an outstanding job with the COVID requirements it was organized so well. The small waves in a common pace made it comfortable from a distancing standpoint, and allowed it to still be competitive. The start line was fun and upbeat even without the crowds. I actually wouldn’t mind if it always worked this way! The finish was also well done. Free, awesome race photos are the best! I missed the vendor booths and hanging out like in past years, hopefully in 2022 we can get back to post race celebration!
From virtual pandemic runs to THIS BEAUT
Orca Running blew my mind! The organization and execution of this in-person race after 1 year in a pandemic was smooth. Parking at Marymoor was easy. Moments of overwhelming emotions … MORE
Orca Running blew my mind! The organization and execution of this in-person race after 1 year in a pandemic was smooth. Parking at Marymoor was easy. Moments of overwhelming emotions from the sheer normalcy of the day happened a few times. I felt safe. I felt energized. I felt thankful for Orca Running. The course was gorgeous! Racing amidst the public out and enjoying the beautiful day was easy due to the staggered starts. The volunteers along the way were so great. The joy present at the finish line made the 13.1 miles a piece of cake (with a 2 minute PR!). I will cherish this 2021 eagle medal swag and the memories of the run with gratitude. 2020 was not kind. The production of this half marathon re-instilled hope for a new era. Thank you.
Safe/Fast/Well-Organized Race
Great first race back after year of pandemic virtual racing! The race was super well organized with an uncrowded (waves of 5 people starting every few minutes) and masked starting/finish … MORE
Great first race back after year of pandemic virtual racing! The race was super well organized with an uncrowded (waves of 5 people starting every few minutes) and masked starting/finish line. Staff were amazingly helpful start to finish (even helping me stuff my jacket in my bag at the last second when my wave was called and helping me with a t-shirt exchange via mail)! Course had beautiful views of Lake Sammamish almost the entire way and dead flat. Only slow down was a bit of headwind (since we were heading south) and the 3 miles of gravel, which isn’t their fault and they forewarned (plus, I still PR’d!)
This is exactly how a race should be organized in the current time period, and I’m so grateful to Orca Racing for making this happen!
Flat and Scenic
Started in a wave of ~5 other runners, passed/passed by only a handful of other participants over the 2 hr course. It felt very safe and all of the volunteers … MORE
Started in a wave of ~5 other runners, passed/passed by only a handful of other participants over the 2 hr course. It felt very safe and all of the volunteers were very kind. Can’t complain about the weather: cloudy, little windy (though mostly protected by trees). Frequent break-outs of the the lake make for a great view. Collected all the gel packs 🙂 Finished at Issaquah with supporting friends/family: beach and playground were nice to spread out at. Follows east-lake all the way down so supporting crowds can easily cheer you on/surprise you along the way. As it was my first, I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but I couldn’t imagine a better course on a better day.
Beautiful course, great swag
This race was put on perfectly for COVID conditions. I felt 100% safe! Runners were spaced out. People were masked. Perfectly executed race. The course was absolutely gorgeous and I … MORE
This race was put on perfectly for COVID conditions. I felt 100% safe! Runners were spaced out. People were masked. Perfectly executed race. The course was absolutely gorgeous and I hope to make this a yearly race. The shirt is so soft and the medal is gorgeous. Course is flat, paved and hard pack gravel.
Covid compliant, well done race!
This race was a perfect welcome back to racing during covid. The course is completely flat with beautiful views of Lake Sammamish. Racers started in very small waves every 3 … MORE
This race was a perfect welcome back to racing during covid. The course is completely flat with beautiful views of Lake Sammamish. Racers started in very small waves every 3 minutes, so I was able to arrive just shortly before my start which made the whole morning super easy. Went home and signed up for another Orca race in just a few months. Great job!
Lake Sammamish Half
Great COVID safe race. Enjoyed the paved portions of the race, but the gravel portions of the race were really rough (large rocks and pretty deep) and some areas had … MORE
Great COVID safe race. Enjoyed the paved portions of the race, but the gravel portions of the race were really rough (large rocks and pretty deep) and some areas had large puddles covering sections of the trail which forced runners to weave from side to side on these portions of trail to avoid water.
All things aside, a great race and just happy to be racing safely in 2021.
Congested, Nice Views
This was a well-organized event with a clearly marked course and sufficient support throughout. The first mile was extremely congested and my pace was a full minute slower than the … MORE
This was a well-organized event with a clearly marked course and sufficient support throughout. The first mile was extremely congested and my pace was a full minute slower than the rest of the race for me. In the second half of the race, the course ran on the shoulder of an open road for about a mile.
Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy
This flat and fast half marathon course is a great choice for someone trying their first half. I did this race because I only live 5 minutes away, so it … MORE
This flat and fast half marathon course is a great choice for someone trying their first half. I did this race because I only live 5 minutes away, so it was super convenient. However, I also do most of my weekday runs along this trail, so I can’t exactly rave about the scenery. Along the way, you’ll get glimpses of Sammamish lake and some of the really nice homes along the lakefront, but that is about all. As with all Evergreen Trail Runs, the race is extremely well managed and supported. Fellow runners are generally laid back and friendly at these events. You really can’t go wrong if you live close by and are looking to do a convenient first half marathon.
Flat and Fast, Lakeside
I loved what a "logical" course it was, basically just running the length of the lake. Super flat and fast. When I ran it it was all gravel, which I … MORE
I loved what a “logical” course it was, basically just running the length of the lake. Super flat and fast. When I ran it it was all gravel, which I loved, but I think it’s now paved, putting a little more pounding on the legs but leading no doubt to faster times. Great production and support as always from Evergreen Trail Runs.