This was my first time in any race. Someone gifted me the registration and it was one of the best gifts that I have ever received. The scenery was gorgeous. … MORE
This was my first time in any race. Someone gifted me the registration and it was one of the best gifts that I have ever received. The scenery was gorgeous. The organizers were super friendly and enthusiastic and it is clear that they love what they do. Their support, along with other people cheering along, and of course the support of my family, made my day. The atmosphere of exhilaration from everyone at the end was contagious. Runner’s high for a few hours? Mine lasted for days!!
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Runner's high!
This was my first time in any race. Someone gifted me the registration and it was one of the best gifts that I have ever received. The scenery was gorgeous. … MORE
This was my first time in any race. Someone gifted me the registration and it was one of the best gifts that I have ever received. The scenery was gorgeous. The organizers were super friendly and enthusiastic and it is clear that they love what they do. Their support, along with other people cheering along, and of course the support of my family, made my day. The atmosphere of exhilaration from everyone at the end was contagious. Runner’s high for a few hours? Mine lasted for days!!
First Timer - Loved the Orca Half!
Very well organized, great swag and a gorgeous route! The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. I loved running along the water. And appreciate all of the volunteers and race … MORE
Very well organized, great swag and a gorgeous route! The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. I loved running along the water. And appreciate all of the volunteers and race organizers cheering us on. This was my first half marathon and it definitely made me want to try another and also come back for this one next year.
Best Views
This is such a pretty run - great view of Puget Sound and wonderful overall experience. Ample water stations and directions, the course is well marked and the pre-race directions … MORE
This is such a pretty run – great view of Puget Sound and wonderful overall experience. Ample water stations and directions, the course is well marked and the pre-race directions were helpful and spot on! Thank you for a wonderful morning
Great scenic Seattle race
Taking place in mid-September, you're likely to get decent weather for the Orca Half. Light rain is not unusual, but it's very unlikely you'll get poured on the whole time, … MORE
Taking place in mid-September, you’re likely to get decent weather for the Orca Half. Light rain is not unusual, but it’s very unlikely you’ll get poured on the whole time, and it’s also likely to be just right in terms of temperature – not too hot, not too cold.
The race has 300 feet of elevation gain, mostly round early on with a major hill from 1.5 mi to 2.5 mi. Also, there were no cups provided at the race, so it’s not a great PR option as you’ll lose a couple minutes either stopping at aid stations or carrying (heavy) water. However, it’s a great race to run just for fun or as a training run and generally comes with a nice medal.
The course is point-to-point and you take buses from W. Seattle to the start. The busing has been very well organized the two years I’ve run the race.
Great!
Great course nice views fairly easy run with only a few hills. I had a great time with another fun run Orca does a great job with their events. Great … MORE
Great course nice views fairly easy run with only a few hills. I had a great time with another fun run Orca does a great job with their events. Great swag I love the shirt and the medal. I highly recommend any Orca Running event fun running great courses at an awesome high level of production with great swag.
LOVE this race!
This race is one of my favorites! I love it so much that I ran the Blowhole Challenge 2021, running the race back to back on Sat/Sun. Both days were … MORE
This race is one of my favorites! I love it so much that I ran the Blowhole Challenge 2021, running the race back to back on Sat/Sun. Both days were great! The first 3 miles are in a park/trail environment that included a hill. That part was a little difficult for me as I lean more towards road than trail. But the rest of the race is beautiful and mostly flat. Everyone who works the race, crew and volunteers, are extremely nice and the swag is fabulous! Highly recommend for all runners!
Fabulous Half On the Seattle Waterfront!
This was my first Orca Running event, and it couldn't have been any better! The course was extremely scenic; starting in the lovely forested Lincoln Park ( which does have … MORE
This was my first Orca Running event, and it couldn’t have been any better!
The course was extremely scenic; starting in the lovely forested Lincoln Park ( which does have some slight hills for the first few miles), to the nice flat stretches along Alki beach, and then ending the race with a magnificent view of the Seattle skyline at Don Armeni boat ramp, it was a great course! Orca running definitely puts on a wonderful and well organized race! This years medal, which was designed by a PNW artist, and the matching soft and cozy race tee, are great mementos as well! Would definitely do this half again 😁👍!!!
Great scenery and staff!
The organizational staff of this race is awesome. Everyone is very informed and can answer any question, or point you to someone that can answer questions. They are also really, … MORE
The organizational staff of this race is awesome. Everyone is very informed and can answer any question, or point you to someone that can answer questions. They are also really, really friendly! The course has amazing views along the water. Beware of a few small but steep hills during the opening miles — after that is it flat and fast. Amazing finisher medals as well!
Beautiful, well organized race!
The organization on this race was incredible, not to mention the beach views! From the pre-race communication to post-race food, it was smooth sailing MORE
The organization on this race was incredible, not to mention the beach views! From the pre-race communication to post-race food, it was smooth sailing
Great race. Beautiful scenery but....
Finding parking for this event was poopy! Unless you drive a smartcar or you have a homie hookup that will let you park in their space because they live there, … MORE
Finding parking for this event was poopy!
Unless you drive a smartcar or you have a homie hookup that will let you park in their space because they live there, get there at least 2 hours early just to find parking. Overall I enjoyed it and would definitely recommend but carpool or fly your broom!
Super fun with beautiful scenery!
Super fun local race and this is coming from an out-of-state runner! Great way to see the area. Lots of really rad flat running. There are a few hills and … MORE
Super fun local race and this is coming from an out-of-state runner! Great way to see the area. Lots of really rad flat running. There are a few hills and the 3 miles or so in the forest are a little bit difficult after the rain but also totally beautiful. Don’t let that part deter you. And it is so green! Great way to usher in the fall. Each mile was marked and everyone was so friendly! Not a lot of cheering except for my crazy friends so make sure you have a great playlist to keep you motivated. You really can’t beat the views and the organizers are really awesome. Hopefully next year Covid won’t be an issue and hot food can come back to the finish line. I think my only complaint is it looked like Saturday’s race had more things available then Sunday’s race. But the rain stayed away and I had a wonderful time. If you’re on the fence just do it! You won’t regret it. I’ll be back!
Double Half is the Bomb!
The course is well laid out and supported. Arrive extra early to the bus, while it should only take 10min it can take 15 or 20 and then you have … MORE
The course is well laid out and supported. Arrive extra early to the bus, while it should only take 10min it can take 15 or 20 and then you have to walk 10min to the start. Its a bit stressful to be late and you don’t want to be running a half mile through the woods wondering if you are going to make your corral. Its not a huge deal because you can join the subsequent corral, but no need for added stress. The only hills are in the woods at the park in the beginning and if you are tempted to get out faster than your race pace those hills will set you back and peak your HR. The balance of the race is fast and flat, only 2 road crossings and they are not busy. From mile 9, after you pass the finish line the first time it feels like the last turn around is never going to arrive but once it does you can pick up the pace to the finish. Double half is surprisingly difficult with the fatigue on the second day. I would put the discomfort level at an 8.5 if you are racing both days. Pre race email was answered the same day. The race time results were a bit wonky directly after the race but they got sorted later in the day after everyone finished. Very happy with the race and the outcome. ORCA Running Rocks.
beautiful course
wonderful course; nice and mostly flat; great time through the park and along water. Be prepared to pass the finish though! Get to see west Seattle. Loved the post race … MORE
wonderful course; nice and mostly flat; great time through the park and along water. Be prepared to pass the finish though! Get to see west Seattle. Loved the post race massage, tacos , coffee and free grilled cheese. About the only thing I could have wanted is somewhere other than a porta potty to get changed into dry clothes
Great People, Beautiful Run
The race is very well organized and filled really happy volunteers. The aid station were well spaced out and anywhere there might have been a question as to which way … MORE
The race is very well organized and filled really happy volunteers. The aid station were well spaced out and anywhere there might have been a question as to which way the course went, there were volunteers making sure we went the right way.
The course starts at sea level and there are some hills the first 4mi/6.5km, but after that, it’s all sea level again. While rainy, the views along the way were pretty, with the low clouds and mist over the water and surrounding islands, then the Seattle skyline came into view with the iconic Space Needle.
The end was fun and full of energy with water or electrolyte drinks as soon as you crossed the finish line. There was fresh-cooked food as well, but my stomach wasn’t in the happiest of places so, I just drank a ton of water.
The medal is a lovely design and, as this was my third race with Orca, I got an additional medal for completing three events with them this year.
Nice course (mostly), rough race for me
The first 2-3 miles of this race (in Lincoln Park) were a lot tougher than expected for me and set me up for a pretty tough rest of the race, … MORE
The first 2-3 miles of this race (in Lincoln Park) were a lot tougher than expected for me and set me up for a pretty tough rest of the race, even though I run Beach Drive and Alki fairly often. The Lincoln park leg sucked a lot of my energy away and I just couldn’t find it again for the rest of the race. The rest of the course is great though – fairly flat and all along the coast with no interruptions. The sidewalk of Beach Drive can be a bit bumpy but I’m used to that. The race organizers, staff, and support were all fantastic and the medal was great!
Gorgeous race flat race!
It was so cool to have a specific Orca to run for - what great motivation! This race is in my neighborhood and while I run this path weekly I … MORE
It was so cool to have a specific Orca to run for – what great motivation! This race is in my neighborhood and while I run this path weekly I still find it absolutely gorgeous. I did this race as a training run for Chicago marathon and tacked on an extra 7 miles before the start line. Easier to do with a somewhat later start (I was in the 8:15 wave). Running past the finish line around mile 8 -9 was tough. Finish line food was great and the medal is the prettiest I’ve ever received!
Running for the Whales is awesome!
I LOVE that on the back of your race bib it told you who you were running for and so much info about the Orca whales. Also it was a … MORE
I LOVE that on the back of your race bib it told you who you were running for and so much info about the Orca whales. Also it was a beautiful course and Tacos at the end is perfect!! Who doesn’t love tacos!! The only reason I didn’t give 5 shoes was because the portapotties were late but other than that a great race!
Awesome race
This was my second time running and still a awesome run, even in the rain. The views are amazing running along Alki Beach. It’s the flattest route that I have … MORE
This was my second time running and still a awesome run, even in the rain. The views are amazing running along Alki Beach. It’s the flattest route that I have ran in a half marathon. I’m ready to run it again next year in 2020. Thank you Orca running for doing a great job with your runs.
Great race once I got out of the woods
The views were amazing and the volunteers/staff were wonderful and encouraging. The first portion of the race through the park felt a bit awkward. It was crowded which made it … MORE
The views were amazing and the volunteers/staff were wonderful and encouraging.
The first portion of the race through the park felt a bit awkward. It was crowded which made it tough to find a pace. The downhill portions were also pretty slick from the rain.
What a great course! Loved the views!
Great course with spectacular view. Well organized. Great aid stations every 2 miles with portable potties! Nice soft T-shirt that I will proudly wear. I will be back! MORE
Great course with spectacular view. Well organized. Great aid stations every 2 miles with portable potties! Nice soft T-shirt that I will proudly wear. I will be back!