Overall Rating
Overall Rating (25 Reviews)
4.6
(25 Ratings)  (25 Reviews)
DIFFICULTY
3.2
SCENERY
4.6
PRODUCTION
4.7
SWAG
4.4
The Poulsbo Half Marathon and 10k is a beautiful course that runs through “Little Norway”. It will have chip timing, participant shirts and finisher medals! All participants will also get free photo downloads. The course starts and finishes at Liberty Bay Waterfront Park and runs through downtown Poulsbo.
Local Historical Weather (Oct 05):
  2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
 
H (°F)  67  64  56  65  61
L (°F)  55  52  46  55  46
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):

Recent reviews

    katefaheyruns FIRST-TIMER '23

    I signed up for this race because it was the only one I could find near Seattle the weekend me and my husband were in town and I wanted to … MORE

    I signed up for this race because it was the only one I could find near Seattle the weekend me and my husband were in town and I wanted to check Washington off my list of 50 States. I’m so glad I did this race!

    The course (while challenging) was beautiful, and even with the hills I was still only 3 minutes off from getting a PB. There were plenty of aid stations and I appreciated the selecting of Gu Energy Gels at each one.

    The swag was also great. Plenty of recovery snacks available at the finish line, I love the color of my race shirt and the stone medal is so unique!

    Overall this is a race I’d recommend and I’d love to run more races put on my Orca Running in the future.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5
    My Media

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    tallpnwrunner FIRST-TIMER '23

    The setup and management of this race was awesome. It was my first Orca running race and everything was super smooth. Lots of photo spots, well marked course, plenty of … MORE

    The setup and management of this race was awesome. It was my first Orca running race and everything was super smooth. Lots of photo spots, well marked course, plenty of restrooms, etc. The course itself was beautiful, but I’m from Poulsbo so maybe a bit biased. I didn’t mind the out and back, as the views of the mountains, water, and trees were great. The only negatives were that the course is not “flat and fast”, there were some decent hills. Also a lot of the course was very hard on my ankles because of how sloped the roads were. So either wear lower stack shoes or do some ankle conditioning before this race. Finally, this race had the coolest medal. It’s this awesome stone(!) medal with a Nordic dragon and runic letters etched on it.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    Half marathoners had to do an out&back then repeat that same out&back. We were just running back and forth on the same stretch of road, seeing the same landmarks and … MORE

    Half marathoners had to do an out&back then repeat that same out&back. We were just running back and forth on the same stretch of road, seeing the same landmarks and volunteers 4 times. Lame.

    Only a few miles of the course were on the water but it was pretty, as was the starting/finishing area. It was easy to park, check a bag, and pick up your bib.

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    2
    SCENERY
    3
    SWAG
    3

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    sabrinacaverly FIRST-TIMER '23

    Easy and well-marked race. Everything was smooth from packet pickup to T-shirt exchange. Beautiful views and roomy roads. This was my first race with Orca Running, but it won’t be … MORE

    Easy and well-marked race. Everything was smooth from packet pickup to T-shirt exchange. Beautiful views and roomy roads. This was my first race with Orca Running, but it won’t be my last!

    DIFFICULTY
    2
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    mattghall FIRST-TIMER '22

    Love this race! Beautiful start/finish line and running along the water for a large part of it. Super great swag! Orca always has the best shirts/medals. Only complaint is it's … MORE

    Love this race! Beautiful start/finish line and running along the water for a large part of it. Super great swag! Orca always has the best shirts/medals. Only complaint is it’s an out and back. Looking forward to running again next year!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    ldunayski REPEAT RUNNER '22

    This race is moderately hilly through some cute neighborhoods and along the beautiful waterfront. The start and finish is right on the water which is fantastic. Race shirt and medal … MORE

    This race is moderately hilly through some cute neighborhoods and along the beautiful waterfront. The start and finish is right on the water which is fantastic. Race shirt and medal are amazing as always. There are so many cute shops and restaurants/cafes/bakeries nearby that after the race, we stayed longer to have a yummy meal and explore all the shops! Highly recommend this race!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    KCongram FIRST-TIMER '22

    I had read somewhere that this was a flat course. WRONG! I was not sure if not knowing about hills helped or not but I enjoyed every minute. This was … MORE

    I had read somewhere that this was a flat course. WRONG! I was not sure if not knowing about hills helped or not but I enjoyed every minute. This was the first event I’ve made it to this year. Tons of things got in the way. Next time I’ll be running it LOL Coming in 2nd in my age group just made my day

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5
    My Media

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    Profile photo of Daryl Phill
    darylphill FIRST-TIMER '22

    Great views! Course was well marked. The volunteers were all so encouraging and kind! There were a couple of hills, but nothing too crazy. Good snacks and hydration at the … MORE

    Great views! Course was well marked. The volunteers were all so encouraging and kind! There were a couple of hills, but nothing too crazy. Good snacks and hydration at the finish line. I like that they provided some reusable cups for the runners who didn’t have one (like myself!). Good music at the start/finish too!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    tazara035 FIRST-TIMER '21

    This course was beautiful, a mix of charming neighborhoods, beautiful forests, and scenic beach views. There were more hills than I was expecting but the challenge made it that much … MORE

    This course was beautiful, a mix of charming neighborhoods, beautiful forests, and scenic beach views. There were more hills than I was expecting but the challenge made it that much more satisfying. As always, Orca’s production was top notch and the Viking fish swag was adorable!

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    catey24 FIRST-TIMER '21

    This is a moderately hilly race through some gorgeous foliage in Poulsbo. The double out and back wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be and the finish along … MORE

    This is a moderately hilly race through some gorgeous foliage in Poulsbo. The double out and back wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be and the finish along the water was beautiful. The race was well organized and supported.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    undheim REPEAT RUNNER '21

    This is another great Orca Running race that brings you to beautiful Poulsbo. There are a couple rollers and one pretty decent hill at the turnaround point. Parking wasn’t bad, … MORE

    This is another great Orca Running race that brings you to beautiful Poulsbo. There are a couple rollers and one pretty decent hill at the turnaround point. Parking wasn’t bad, especially for Poulsbo which regularly fills up its parking on the weekends.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    bwdarrington FIRST-TIMER '19

    This is a relatively small but well produced race. The town of Poulsbo is beautiful and very fun to run through. The course has great scenery. I wasn’t expecting the … MORE

    This is a relatively small but well produced race. The town of Poulsbo is beautiful and very fun to run through. The course has great scenery. I wasn’t expecting the large hill in the race, but because it is out and back you also get the downhill. Definitely a race I would recommend.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    SueStevens REPEAT RUNNER '19

    Poulsbo is a charming town and this race is well-organised and well-supported. Beautiful setting and it definitely helps to love (or at least not mind) hills. I loved it! Swag … MORE

    Poulsbo is a charming town and this race is well-organised and well-supported. Beautiful setting and it definitely helps to love (or at least not mind) hills. I loved it! Swag is good and there is plenty of post-race food.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    5
    My Media

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    This was my first 10k and it was a total blast. The production was amazing, the course was great and the scenery was beautiful. Orca running is super organized and … MORE

    This was my first 10k and it was a total blast. The production was amazing, the course was great and the scenery was beautiful. Orca running is super organized and professional. I can’t wait to do the half marathon next year! Thank you orca running for putting this on!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    sarahchapman REPEAT RUNNER '19

    This course was beautiful. I love running with Orca Running. They are a great company. Race day is very smooth. The course had a few hills but it was very … MORE

    This course was beautiful. I love running with Orca Running. They are a great company. Race day is very smooth. The course had a few hills but it was very reasonable. All the volunteers were awesome!!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    3

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    Profile photo of Michael Whitwell
    mswhitwell FIRST-TIMER '19

    Great endurance half marathon for light elevation for 4-6 miles. It’s not crazy inclines like downtown Seattle, but I felt the hills ran were great for strengthening. I wish there … MORE

    Great endurance half marathon for light elevation for 4-6 miles. It’s not crazy inclines like downtown Seattle, but I felt the hills ran were great for strengthening. I wish there was more water side streets to run on. The sections by water were incredible. Orca Running puts on the best runs!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    3

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    Another great event by Orca. I am a run leader who brings my group to various events. This year I am scoping out races to find new ones for my … MORE

    Another great event by Orca. I am a run leader who brings my group to various events. This year I am scoping out races to find new ones for my group. I have been doing many of Orca’s events this year. I am getting very lovely run tours of various areas near Seattle. I am from Canada and these are worth the drive! The town this is in is adorable and the people there are great! We enjoyed our stay and the community/small town vibe. I ran with a participant from my group so the pace was nice and easy. This is a bit more challenging of a course but not too bad. I loved all the Halloween decor in neighborhoods we ran through. We got a nice soft T and medal which well…..was the worst one I have gotten from them as they are usually really cool. Sorry Orca, hated this one! I am happy to elaborate if you email me and I’ll design you some cool ones! Better yet, different swag, no more shirts in my opinion of course. I would recommend this race and any that Orca does. I drive many hours to support their races. They are my current favorites.

    DIFFICULTY
    4
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    3

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    Profile photo of Austin Goodman-Borgstrom
    borgstrom REPEAT RUNNER '19

    This run was not a PR for me, but despite the hills it was a fun run and I was able to keep a 9 min mile pace throughout. My … MORE

    This run was not a PR for me, but despite the hills it was a fun run and I was able to keep a 9 min mile pace throughout. My only complaint would be that it was difficult to pass people due to limited space from cars passing on the open course.

    DIFFICULTY
    1
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    5

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    avaccaro90 FIRST-TIMER '19

    This was my first race I’d run where the road wasn’t closed. I was a little nervous but didn’t feel unsafe at all running the portions of the race where … MORE

    This was my first race I’d run where the road wasn’t closed. I was a little nervous but didn’t feel unsafe at all running the portions of the race where there was limited shoulder on the road and no sidewalk. The race course was well marked so 10k runners didn’t continue past the turn around point. Course has great water and mountain views with a few hills that got your heart pumping. Post race snack selection was pretty good but was disappointed with the Mac and cheese. This was also one of the few races I’ve run that didn’t offer a free post race beer; however they did offer a discount at the local brewery for runners. Overall a great experience and I’d definitely run it again.

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    4
    SCENERY
    5
    SWAG
    4

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

    Profile photo of Neil Robison
    neilrobison26 FIRST-TIMER '19

    The race is an open road race with some parts where there is limited shoulders and no sidewalks. However the roads were not heavily trafficked and there were plenty of … MORE

    The race is an open road race with some parts where there is limited shoulders and no sidewalks. However the roads were not heavily trafficked and there were plenty of volunteers directing people to the correct sides of the roads.
    Overall, race was a great venue on the waterfront and great area to congregate before and after in the heart of Poulsbo. Orca does a great job putting races on and this was no exception. The course is somewhat hilly but nothing too difficult if you train on hills. The last 5 miles are essentially downhill so it makes for a fast finish though! I would definitely do this race again. Only downside is that it is a bit of drive coming from the Seattle area but still worth it!

    DIFFICULTY
    3
    PRODUCTION
    5
    SCENERY
    4
    SWAG
    4

    Was this review helpful?

    Please login to reply to this review.

  1. Races
  2. Poulsbo Half Marathon & 10K