The Super Marathon is one of the fastest marathon courses in the country! This course is one of the top 20 Boston Qualifier Courses in the country with a BQ rate over 34%! Enjoy 26.2 miles of scenic downhill with gorgeous view of the Cascade Mountains as you glide down the gravel trail on this point to point course. This is the ONLY marathon course that features jaw dropping views as you run along Keechelus Lake. With 1500’ of gradual net downhill, we assure you that you will “find your super fast” on the way to a speedy time, PR or BQ!
Enjoy your finish with a rad custom medal, and an awesome shirt! Swag also includes a Run Super Series Cloth Bag and a water bottle!
The Course
The race begins at the Hyak Trail Head at Palouse to Cascades State Park. The first five miles are an out and back section that offer flat terrain and jaw dropping views. Catch your pace along Keechelus Lake on this section and settle into your running groove on the smooth trail. At Mile 5.2 you will enter the famous 2.4 mile long Snoqualmie Tunnel. As you exit the tunnel, you are greeted with yet some more stunning views of the Cascade Mountains. From there, you have 1500’ of gentle downhill descent over the final 17 miles as you glide across railroad tressels, past waterfalls and take in the endless mountain vistas! USATF certification number is 17WA029RMB.
The Important Stuff – Swag!
We want our runners to only have the best, so we make sure we give you more swag than you can carry (actually we give you a fabric drop bag so you can carry it all)! All runners receive a custom tech tee, a custom race medal, a fabric Run Super Series Drop Bag, a Run Super Series Water Bottle (filled with ice cold water) and complimentary downloadable race day photos. Yep, you get all that. You can thank us later!
Course Support
Pacers: The Super Pacers are on hand to take the pressure of your watch. Join the 3:15, 3:30, 3:40, 3:50, 4:00, 4:15, 4:30, 4:45 or 5:00 pace groups and have a good time running your best time!
Aid Stations:
The marathon will have 12 aid stations. All aid stations will have water and Gatorade. Aid stations 6, 9 & 11 will have Gu gels in assorted flavors (both caffeinated and non-caffeinated).
#1 – Mile 2
#2 – Mile 4
#3 – Mile 5.2 (tunnel entrance)
#4 – Mile 8 (tunnel exit)
#5 – Mile 10
#6 – Mile 12 – Gu
#7 – Mile 14
#8 – Mile 16
#9 – Mile 18 – Gu
#10 – Mile 20
#11 – Mile 22 – Gu
#12 – Mile 24
Bathrooms: There are multiple bathroom facilities on the course. Public restrooms on the trail are located at Mile 0.3 (parking lot off trail), Mile 1.5, Mile 3.5, Mile 4.7(parking lot off trail), Mile 5.2 (Hyak parking lot), Mile 7.7 (tunnel exit), Mile 13.5 (left side of trail), Mile 18.5 (Porta Potties at Garcia Road), Mile 20.5 (Porta Potties at Rock Climbing Area) and the Finish Line.
Search and Rescue:
Pierce County SAR 4×4 will be monitoring the course via ATV to assist runners with any issues or injuries.
Medical:
Medics are on-site at the finish line.
Finish Line Fun – Food and Massage
Enjoy your finish with a fresh grilled cheese sandwich, a rad custom medal, and an awesome shirt! Swag also includes a Run Super Series Cloth Bag, a buff and a water bottle!
Spectators
Since our course is somewhat remote and epically beautiful, there are few locations where spectators can easily access the trail to watch their runner. For the marathon, we recommend you hang out at the start line after the race, as you will get to see your runner come back through here at Mile 5. For mid-course viewing, the best location with easy access is at Mile 18.5 where the trail crosses Garcia Road (see directions below). This involves a mile drive up a bumpy dirt forest service road so be aware! Don’t linger for too long, you will want to get down to Cedar Falls Trailhead to watch your runner make a super fast finish! *We may not be able to allow spectators depending on COVID-19 regulations at the time.
Awards
Awards are given in the following categories:
Top 3 Male and Female Overall
Overall Male and Female Masters (40+)
Top In Each Age Group (M/F): Under 19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
LESS
The Super Marathon
I loved the race organization, nice pacer that I ran with for a bit, good course support (water stations), nice gradual downhill course. The views are stunning, lush greenery and … MORE
I loved the race organization, nice pacer that I ran with for a bit, good course support (water stations), nice gradual downhill course. The views are stunning, lush greenery and mountains. One things I did not care for was the tunnel itself – I believe about 3 miles total. It’s very damp, pitch black (you need a headlamp), and there are potholes, so be careful!)
This is a great race, especially if you are used to training in the heat and are coming from a difference state or ever eastern WA. It was a bit of a shock to have to run in 80+ degrees having not had much experience this year in heat at all. It was not my best day but happy with it anyways.
Fast! But not a great value
Good: - Fast course! Cruising very downhill after mile 8. The running surface is obviously not as fast as pavement, so you're maybe 5 sec/mile slower from that, but the … MORE
Good:
– Fast course! Cruising very downhill after mile 8. The running surface is obviously not as fast as pavement, so you’re maybe 5 sec/mile slower from that, but the downhill is worth WAY more in speed.
– Running through the tunnel for almost 3 miles was cool, literally.
– Gorgeous scenery. Crossing over several bridges with amazing views.
Bad:
– $145 entry for pretty meh amenities is steep
– Only 1 aid station w/ gels. They advertised 3 but maybe they weren’t set up for the faster runners?
– Having free, high-quality photos is great but it was really just a photo at mile 2.5 and one at the finish line.
– Pretty basic swag (t-shirt + water bottle) too.
Best of the Snoqualmie Tunnel Races!
Deferred my September 2020 entry to June 2021 and dragged a group of 12 to this race. It was one of the best ever. Some of us volunteered for the … MORE
Deferred my September 2020 entry to June 2021 and dragged a group of 12 to this race. It was one of the best ever. Some of us volunteered for the half marathon held on Saturday morning which enabled us to get a preview of the course. There was some uncertainty due to the extreme heat wave gripping the pacific northwest. The race director stayed engaged and communicated two days before that the marathon would start 1 hour earlier to help mitigate the temperature.
Packet pick-up was race morning but still left plenty of time to warm-up and get ready. The relatively flat 2.5 mile out-and-back set up nicely for entering the tunnel to begin the long downhill portion of the course. Headlamps are required and they had a drop point once you exited the tunnel if you so desired.
The scenery is outstanding and even with the limited aid stations, I felt there was plenty of water available (I did carry a bottle to refill every aid station too). Race director made ice available around Mile 18 and again later on due to the heat. It was a godsend.
My only complaint would be the finish. The last .1 miles has a sharp, descending turn off the trail toward the finish line. I really had to slow down to avoid hitting a tree and not tumbling into the brush. I wasn’t prepared for that and with tired legs it was a real challenge. Despite the heat, I managed a new personal best though missed my goal time by a couple of minutes.
Post-race area was compact but shaded where you could watch the other runners come to the finish line. Plenty of water, Gatorade, ice and snacks available.
I highly recommend any of the Super Series races or any race this race director puts on.
The tunnel is cool!!!
Stunning views in the Cascades. Never did I feel like I was running down a mountain like the elevation chart makes you think you will after exiting the tunnel. Speaking … MORE
Stunning views in the Cascades. Never did I feel like I was running down a mountain like the elevation chart makes you think you will after exiting the tunnel. Speaking of which, the tunnel portion is really awesome, but you will come out dirty on the other side as it’s wet and sloppy inside. It’s a gravel course, so I would advise wearing trail running shoes or your feet will take a thrashing. Pretty standard swag. No Expo, so no little goodies/freebies. Wish I would not have brought the 99 degree heat from Dallas or I’m pretty sure I would have BQ’ed on this course. Maybe next year!
A beautiful course with great organizers
I participated in this event as pandemic restrictions were lifting and in a record-breaking hot weekend (100+ degrees). The race organizers kept us appraised of key information with regular emails, … MORE
I participated in this event as pandemic restrictions were lifting and in a record-breaking hot weekend (100+ degrees). The race organizers kept us appraised of key information with regular emails, and updates on race logistics on race morning. They were able to move the start time back by an hour (thank you!) and provided additional water stops along the way. This group of organizers is passionate about running and providing the best and safest experience for runners.
Packet pick-up is the morning of race day, so allow a bit of extra time for that. I recommend parking in the Hyak Trailhead lot ($10) for convenience and to avoid a potentially long walk. You will thank yourself. 🙂
Concerning the course itself, it is a lovely gentle downhill [crushed gravel] trail, with views of ravines, mountains, and rivers along the way. There is quite a bit of intermittent shade contrasted with patches in the sun. If this would not have been such a hot day, I likely would have PR’d. You can feel the course pulling you the entire way and it is a great feeling! There was sparse cheering/crowd support along the way, and this usually correlated with water stops, so be prepared to soak in 26.2 quiet and scenic miles. The tunnel was pretty cool–literally– and is a few miles long. Definitely have a strong lighting source and try to run with others if you can. My pace slowed in the tunnel due to it being a bit wet and I could not see that far ahead of me, but it was a fun and unique experience. (I used the One80 headlamp around my waist and that worked well to see the ground a few yards in front of me.) Bathrooms consisted of typical state park outhouses approx. 2-3 miles apart. The swag was a t-shirt and water-bottle (and medal), and the finish line party was a bit muted due to pandemic-related restrictions (e.g., only pre-packaged food), but historically it looks like they have more amenities.
All in all, I was pleased with the course itself, the organizers–who had to adapt the race post-pandemic and in extreme heat, and the proximity to Seattle for some fun sightseeing and delicious food options to celebrate!
Would do it again
Beautiful scenery, race day packet pickup, lots of communication from the Race Director who seems to be a runner. Laid back no pressure attitude become great race overall. Love it.... … MORE
Beautiful scenery, race day packet pickup, lots of communication from the Race Director who seems to be a runner. Laid back no pressure attitude become great race overall. Love it…. new state what else is there to say.
Best Tunnel Race ever!
Sabrina Seher puts on an awesome event- everything is "Super". Gu and Gatorade on course, grilled cheese sandwiches and popsicles as well as bananas, oranges, chips, etc at the finish … MORE
Sabrina Seher puts on an awesome event- everything is “Super”. Gu and Gatorade on course, grilled cheese sandwiches and popsicles as well as bananas, oranges, chips, etc at the finish and a “Super” water bottle full of cold water at the finish along with a giant medal. Sabrina provides the flashlights to get through the 2.4 mile pitch dark tunnel, the trail provides beautiful scenery!