Run where the sea meets the sky–at San Juan Island. The course is stunning, and the island is a wonderful place to spend a weekend. Bring your family, run the race, and then stay to explore the island and make memories together. The course for the San Juan Island Half …
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Run where the sea meets the sky–at San Juan Island. The course is stunning, and the island is a wonderful place to spend a weekend. Bring your family, run the race, and then stay to explore the island and make memories together.
The course for the San Juan Island Half is unique and is easily the most scenic Orca Running race. It starts at South Beach inside San Juan Island National Historic Park and finishes at Jackson Beach, just south of Friday Harbor. Along the way you’ll get some amazing view of the other islands, the Olympic Mountains, and of course, the Salish Sea.
It has a bit of climbing spread throughout the run, with three main climbs, from miles 0 to 1.6, 3 to 5.3, and 9 to 10.8. The total elevation gain is about 900′. Participants will pass aid stations every 2-3 miles well stocked with water, electrolyte and gels.
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Breathtaking and Smooth
This was not my first time signing up for this race, but it was my first time actually starting, and completing, it. I'm so glad I did. Even though the … MORE
This was not my first time signing up for this race, but it was my first time actually starting, and completing, it. I’m so glad I did. Even though the rolling hills of San Juan Island made for nearly 800 feet of elevation gain, including a significant hill straight off the starting line, the beautiful views of the Salish Sea more than made up for that. And the good people of Orca Running produced a smooth operation that ensured the whole experience was a pleasure. (Snazzy medal and T-shirt designs, too!) If you’re looking for a destination race where the heavens and sea meet, look no further than the San Juan Island Half!
Gorgeous Race, great logistics!
I had a fun time on this race. The logistics, communication and swag are great. The scenery was unbeatable. It was an unseasonably hot day, and it was a struggle … MORE
I had a fun time on this race. The logistics, communication and swag are great. The scenery was unbeatable. It was an unseasonably hot day, and it was a struggle with all of the hills and heat. Great aid stations and support crews. I would definitely do this race again, and probably stay on the Island for the weekend instead of commuting from Seattle that morning.
Hilly but beautiful
Point-to-point course with a fair amount of elevation change. The reward was beautiful views of the water and bucolic scenes. There was more time in the direct sun than in … MORE
Point-to-point course with a fair amount of elevation change. The reward was beautiful views of the water and bucolic scenes. There was more time in the direct sun than in the shade, so don’t forget the sunscreen! The vibe of the race was laid-back, yet everything worked. The race started about 5 minutes late to make sure everyone on the last shuttle made it. Bib pickup at the start was easy. The mile markers seemed off, some too short and some too long, but the finish was exactly at 13.1 by my watch. Medal was beautiful. My only disappointment was the photos — I saw the previous years’ photos that were pretty epic, but this year’s didn’t really reflect the awesomeness of the course.
Loved the run/swag!
This event was extremely well organized! Loved the scenery, swag and the race! The hills were a little brutal but overall it was great! Next time I’m going to have … MORE
This event was extremely well organized! Loved the scenery, swag and the race! The hills were a little brutal but overall it was great! Next time I’m going to have to train on the hills a bit more prior!
The end sucked
I loved the course and everything about it until I realized my garmin was over a mile behind what the course had for mile markers. There should have been clear … MORE
I loved the course and everything about it until I realized my garmin was over a mile behind what the course had for mile markers. There should have been clear communication and spotters signaling where to double back. Then to get to the end and have additional tough mileage to complete as you literally passed the finish point was awful mentally. A huge miss on an otherwise great race. Everyone I passed that last mile was extremely upset.
Gorgeous and perfect except for the hill
It is one of the most visually amazing races I have done! There is nothing boring about this one. Do be prepared for your phone to lose service near the … MORE
It is one of the most visually amazing races I have done! There is nothing boring about this one. Do be prepared for your phone to lose service near the beginning and plan ahead by queuing up a premade playlist or podcast, else you may be stuck listening to the same episode on repeat the entire race hahaha. This is easily in my top 5 races and I will absolutely repeat it. Beware the hills and don’t use all the juice in your legs on mile 1!
Beautiful views, hilly course
It was a fun race with lots of great energy. The post race snacks were also a highlight. I was not prepared for the challenge of the hills and would … MORE
It was a fun race with lots of great energy. The post race snacks were also a highlight. I was not prepared for the challenge of the hills and would have appreciated an earlier start time to avoid some heat.
Gorgeous Destination Race
I've been to the San Juans before and jumped on this race for my first non-triathlon half marathon. The views are incredible and the weather was perfect. That said, I … MORE
I’ve been to the San Juans before and jumped on this race for my first non-triathlon half marathon. The views are incredible and the weather was perfect. That said, I didn’t train on enough hills and there’s some tough ones. I train in MN along hilly Mississippi River trails, but some of the hills in this course are really long. My hamstrings are feeling it, and my very flat half next month will feel pretty easy in comparison. The stained glass medal is absolutely gorgeous. Shirt design was ok.
There was also some miscommunication about the route and mile markers, so they tacked on a mile and a half at the end. It was all very strange. I would have thought they’d let the volunteers at the water stations know so they could give us a heads up the route had been changed. I’ve done a few dozen road races and triathlons and never encountered something like this.
Overall, wonderful race and would do it again.
Beautiful Race
This race is incredibly beautiful where on a clear day you can see the Olympic National Park across the water. This year everyone cut about a mile and a half … MORE
This race is incredibly beautiful where on a clear day you can see the Olympic National Park across the water. This year everyone cut about a mile and a half off the course and the race director was able to add the amount that was cut to the end of the race. This last minute change allowed everyone was able to complete the full distance. It was an incredible feat and shows how much they care! If you are looking for a beautiful, albeit hilly, race this is a great option!
Gorgeous scenery
Orca Running is the best little production team in the Pacific Northwest! The scenery: you start out at the beach looking at the Pacific Ocean. You better have your muscles … MORE
Orca Running is the best little production team in the Pacific Northwest! The scenery: you start out at the beach looking at the Pacific Ocean. You better have your muscles warmed up as you’re immediately climbing the first of 3 ascents towards a lighthouse (too bad the course doesn’t take you by the lighthouse). You’ll make a turn with a nice reward of a descent at mile 2. You’ll get a great view of Vancouver Island (Canada) on the way down and then into some winding roads through the forest. There are several port a potties along the way and water stations every 2-3 miles. With the climb starting you off, you’d be wise to grab water up and down the first ascent/decent because the next stop is a ways a way. You’ll run through a lot of farm areas and then into the last stretch towards another beach for the finish line. A few safety notes: you are running the whole way on active roads with little or no shoulder. There are some spots with frequent cars passing, be aware. Hydration: the water spots are spread out so hydrate before the race and perhaps bring your own liquids. The hills are long inclines. This is a race worth running for the enjoyment of a challenge and epic scenery.
Orca running had beautiful finisher medals and soft, comfy t-shirts. The race is a point to point and they had plenty of shuttles to support.
So fun and so beautiful
Such a cool vibe especially because we came in from flat Indiana! This year I got to run it with my son and daughter — priceless! This is such a … MORE
Such a cool vibe especially because we came in from flat Indiana! This year I got to run it with my son and daughter — priceless! This is such a special race for us. (Also we always look forward to the MC’s commentary. He kills it!)
Pretty Course with Hills!
Very fun race! My first half marathon, very beautiful course. The race gets a bit hilly but never felt unreasonable. I hope to be able to do it again soon. MORE
Very fun race! My first half marathon, very beautiful course. The race gets a bit hilly but never felt unreasonable. I hope to be able to do it again soon.
San Juan-derful!
Absolutely stunning course from start to finish. Lots of hills along the way but this trek through beaches, island farmland, and coastline makes it all worth it. I want to … MORE
Absolutely stunning course from start to finish. Lots of hills along the way but this trek through beaches, island farmland, and coastline makes it all worth it. I want to do it again every year! Thanks to the cheerful staff for adding to this incredible experience.
Best end-of-summer destination race
Gorgeous scenery (like wow!!), smooth race production, friendly spectators, awesome swag - this race really delivered in every way. Filing away as one of my all time favorites. Will be … MORE
Gorgeous scenery (like wow!!), smooth race production, friendly spectators, awesome swag – this race really delivered in every way. Filing away as one of my all time favorites. Will be back!!
Such a fun and rewarding race
I used to do running races when I was younger and definitely took a long break from entering any races (like 30 years), so when I signed up to run … MORE
I used to do running races when I was younger and definitely took a long break from entering any races (like 30 years), so when I signed up to run this San Juan Half Marathon before COVID, I was excited. However, my wait was almost 2 years before the event day finally came. I know for sure that I didn’t properly train but I did it! I ran the whole thing which was my goal. The race support was amazing! It was well organized and it was just an amazing feeling to be out running on San Juan Island. I liked it so much that I can’t wait to run another race with Orca running. So, yeah, I recommend it — just sign up and do it! You will be so glad that you did for yourself! 💛
Great race, hard to get to!
I loved this race! Turns out a ton of people hard a hard time getting over on the ferries, which of course wasn’t anyone’s fault, but led to a smaller … MORE
I loved this race! Turns out a ton of people hard a hard time getting over on the ferries, which of course wasn’t anyone’s fault, but led to a smaller race than I expected which made it feel a bit lonely at times. The scenery was gorgeous and the post race setup was really sweet with free pizza, snacks and bananas. I rated the swag a 5 but mostly because they offered a tree planting alternative to a free tshirt. I wish races would get rid of shirts all together, such a waste but that might not be a popular opinion! Everyone at the orca running team did a fantastic job, we had signed up for this race almost 2 years ago and anytime we had questions or concerns our emails were met with such patience. I can’t imagine how hard race and event planning has been as of late, so major kudos for pulling off a great race and communicating so well with participants!
Great way to run away from the mainland
Traveled up from Portland, OR to run this one. Outstanding scenery and the cleanest air you can hope for on a road race. You'll run next to the ocean and … MORE
Traveled up from Portland, OR to run this one. Outstanding scenery and the cleanest air you can hope for on a road race.
You’ll run next to the ocean and through the countryside in wooded and open sections. Elevation changes were scattered throughout but totally crushable, with a seriously fast downgrade into the finish line chute.
The Orca Running team knows how to put on a solid race with good communication and COVID protocols. Little to no crowds along the race route (may have been due to COVID but the island is also pretty dang far from densely populated). Highly recommend getting to the island at least a day in advance if you can and staying throughout the weekend.
Beautiful run!
This course is beautiful! There are some hills but it is a fun and dynamic course! I also saw a fox while running which was super cool! The whole crew … MORE
This course is beautiful! There are some hills but it is a fun and dynamic course! I also saw a fox while running which was super cool! The whole crew who put this race on are very friendly and it was a lot of fun.
The scenery is SO WORTH IT!!
First time running the SJI Half and it was a PERFECT way to enjoy the absolute BEAUTIFUL scenery!!! I have ran in about 2 dozen half's and over 100 other … MORE
First time running the SJI Half and it was a PERFECT way to enjoy the absolute BEAUTIFUL scenery!!! I have ran in about 2 dozen half’s and over 100 other races and this is by far, the MOST beautiful run I have ever been on!
This is a perfect weekend getaway/destination event to participate in!!
My hometown!
I know I am a little bias in that I get to go home to run this race, but really, the scenery is phenomenal. We see bunnies, fox, eagles, & … MORE
I know I am a little bias in that I get to go home to run this race, but really, the scenery is phenomenal. We see bunnies, fox, eagles, & an egret & ample time enjoying the beautiful Salish Sea. You will be hard pressed to find a more stunning run setting. Orca Racing is top notch in putting on an event. It is a small race, but so well organized. Aid stations with water, electrolytes, gu, & a porta potty are approximately every two miles. There is a fair amount of climbing, but I am convinced everything else offsets the extra work & it is a fun way to see a little more of the island than you would just driving by.