Lake Sammamish

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Race Report – Matt Hall

Race: Lake Sammamish Half

Runner: Matt Hall

Race Date: 03/04/2023

Location: Redmond, WA

Results: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/87210

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/8660451360

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  • Great Trail
  • Great Communication
  • Great Race Swag/Free Photos

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

First mile is narrow trail; got stuck behind slower people.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

Part of route was under construction and detoured onto road (won’t be the case next year). In the last 2 miles there was a very sharp left hand turn through a puddle and mud.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

Maintained target pace for full first half of race.
Was well rested/hydrated/fueled.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Start at the front of the pack if you plan on finishing sub 1:30.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Start a bit faster; I was running with a group for the first 4-5 miles but then they slowed down and I ended up in a big gap between runners

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

First mile is crowded but the rest of the course is very wide and open.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Very Pretty. Most of it is an old rail corridor and winding through parks

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Normally no, but the trail construction detour added a stupid big hill at mile 8.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Very well run. Orca puts on a good race.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Very Competitive; Multiple people finished sub 1:10. Too competitive for my taste 😆

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Race sold out so make sure you register at least a month in advance.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Aid Stations are cupless; basically useless. They had a few goos and snacks but I stuck with my hand waterbottle

Weather and typical race conditions

Weather was way worse than normal; 35 and raining 😭

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Lots of good spectating spots along the course but it is a point to point so you have to drive.

How’s the Swag?

Swag is great. Super comfortable t-shirts. Nice handcrafted medals.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

9/10. Definitely plan on doing every year. If they can figure out the first mile clog with some heats or something I’d give it a 10/10..

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Race Report – Matthew Bigman

Race: Lake Sammamish Half Marathon

Runner: Coach Matthew Bigman

Race Date: 03/05/2022

Location: Redmond, Washington

Results: 1:13:10 – 6th overall

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/6778090358

 

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. Meeting Team Run Run people!
  2. The course was very flat and fast for the most part
  3. It was easily accessible to park near, and shuttles were plentiful and quick to get back to the start.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

  • This race was cupless. On one hand I do think it’s fantastic to reduce waste. However, it’s very difficult to justify spending precious time stopping at an aid station to fill up your reusable cup. I didn’t drink anything, which wasn’t really a problem.
  • Two other things stood out. One, I almost got run over by a car when finishing the race!! That was wild. Second, I think I got goose or dog poop on my Nike Vaporflys! Come on!!

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

The last .25 or so of the race was incredibly janky. It had many turns on a narrow paved trail with mud over it. There was also a 90-degree turn into the finishing chute.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I raced very smartly and executed my plan well! Although my coach had a more conservative goal in mind, I’m quite intuitive with my races. I started off at what I believed to be conservative, maintained this for a few miles, than very gradually increased the pace when it made sense. I also stuck about 15-20 seconds behind the main group and passed people as they slowed. I didn’t get passed once! I’m really proud of how I kept myself calm, used positive self talk, and raced really hard.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

This is definitely a race to simulate that faster and flatter marathon you’re doing. Start off just a bit slower than goal pace, then work your way into it and fight to maintain your pace like a tempo run! Just a very, very, long tempo run.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

A pre-race gel might be something I try next time just to avoid some mental fog towards the end!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

There is a decent hill after mile 7, but if you stay strong up the hill, you will recover quickly and get a fast split for the next mile which is mostly steep downhill! Then is flat and fast to the finish.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yeah! It runs by Lake Sammamish so it was quite pretty. To be honest, I wasn’t really taking in the sights!

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

No besides the janky finish and the hill (which is worth it for the downhill in my opinion).

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Yes, it was well run enough for a race of its size. It only started a couple minutes late and I noticed no issues. The bus shuttling back was very efficient.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Yes! I wasn’t completely alone at any point of the race. I always had people to target and chase.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

I registered 3 months ahead of time. It’s very accessible to Seattle, and was not difficult to get to. Additional parking was available too.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

There was nuun at the aid stations, which is not ideal in my opinion since it’s very low in calories! If you’re out there for 90 minutes – 2 hours, you’ll need some calories.

Weather and typical race conditions

The weather was perfect!! We couldn’t have asked for a better race day. It was overcast and in the 40s. Just how I like it.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Some light gloves may be warranted, especially at the start.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

If your friend has a car, then yes! The trail seemed accessible at multiple points from the road. I saw Dionne a handful of times!! (Thanks for the support!)

How’s the Swag?

I love the shirt actually. It’s a tri-blend, cool graphic on the front, but no cheesy sponsorships or even year to be seen! Looks like a graphic tee from Gap or Banana Republic.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

4/5 stars!! I definitely recommend this race. My thoughts are that it was 95% amazing and 5% terrible.

Matthew Bigman is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about him or to work with Coach Matthew, check out his coaching page.

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Race Report – John Gregson

Race: Lake Sammamish Half Marathon

Runner: John Gregson

Race Date: 03/05/2022

Location: Redmond, WA

Results: 1:48:15

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/6778159090/overview

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. Nice and flat (minus one hill) scenic course that’s minutes from my home.
  2. Typically well run Orca race. Great volunteers, organized, good post race food, etc.
  3. Perfect weather (clear, low 40’s)

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

Due to some trail maintenance, the course had a two-mile detour that took racers up a ~4% grade hill between miles 7-8.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

I don’t know if this is “weird” these days, but Orca’s races are cupless, which means carrying your own hydration.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I loved that this race was on my go-to training trail. I feel like I had my nutrition/hydration dialed in and stuck to my goal pace throughout. I was also able to meet up with some TRR runners beforehand for a little warmup jog, which was great.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Other than the hill, which should be a temporary thing, plan for a flat course with moderate racer congestion over the first couple of miles. The course is primarily paved, but there is a section of compact dirt/gravel. Ample nearby parking (I parked in the Redmond Town Center garage near the Marriott and walked to the start line) and the portapotty lines weren’t too bad.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

My watch GPS was tracking pretty well until the last couple of miles and the finish line came up a little sooner than I was expecting. In hindsight, I should have started my final push when making the big right turn on NW Sammamish Road, which leads into the finish line park.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The trail is very popular, so keep your head up and eyes/ears open for non-racers. Also look out for the posts in the middle of the trail that you’ll find at road crossings.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes, course runs along East Lake Sammamish which is beautiful.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

No. Other than the (temporary) detour up the hill, the course is really flat. Typically great running weather in the area this time of year too.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Well-oiled machine.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Seemed like a strong field. Even with a PR, I finished slightly ahead of middle of the pack for my division, which was maybe a little lower than other recent halfs in the area. I get the sense that this fast/flat course attracts a lot runners looking to PR.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

I don’t know if it sold out or not, but I registered for the race in early February (one-month prior to race) without any issues. Given that the start line was 3.5 miles from my house, I didn’t need to worry about hotels or anything. Can’t imagine that it would be an issue though. With the Microsoft campus nearby, there are quite a few hotels to choose from.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Again, Orca’s races are cupless. They had stations for filling up bottles, but I blew past them. Seems like they were set up every couple of miles.

Weather and typical race conditions

Temps (40’s) were pretty typical for Redmond in early March, but not having rain was a bonus. You just never know around here. It rained in the days before/after, so we just got lucky I guess.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Something to carry hydration if you’re so inclined. I went with a bottle on belt, which was fine. There is a bit of standing around before the race, so if it’s looking like a rain, a disposable rain poncho (or trash bag) might not be a horrible thing to throw in your race bag.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yeah, lots of places to catch runners going buy. I saw the same guy (who may have been with the race) watching about six different times.

How’s the Swag?

Pretty typical. Tech shirt and medal with the race name and artwork. Good quality stuff, but I always like it when they include the date (or year), which they didn’t in this case.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

Five Stars. Yes, highly recommend.

run with the kokanee 1ok

Run with the Kokanee 10k Race Report – Matt Pawelski

Race: Run with the Kokanee 10k (Northwest Trail Runs)

Runner: Matthew Pawelski

Race Date: 10/17/2020

Location: Lake Sammamish State Park – Sunset Beach

Results: 56:00 (6.75 miles because I missed a turn)

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/4207702362

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. Good social distance setup. Staggered starts, simple policy about face coverings.
  2. I like the mixture of paved with trail. The trail was muddy and grassy at times, but the 2/3s on pavement meant I could get moving.
  3. This supports education and efforts to restore an endangered species of salmon: The Kokanee. One of their primary tenets is educating fisherman on how to identify and properly release Kokanee salmon. I’ve been fishing lately and wouldn’t want to harm an endangered species so this was cool to be a part of!

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

  1. Would prefer Gatorade over water at the aid station.
  2. It was a bit rainy!
  3. I mean, I’m happy to have had ANY race since the pandemic, but obviously I wish we could have celebrated properly afterward

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

Trying to manage a face mask while running. By mile 3 it felt like waterboarding myself and despite my thin buff from Run the Rock 50 miler last year, I really cannot breathe at all once it’s all wet.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

Pre-race prep and warmup. I was really cognizant about eating early and easy energy food the night before: Mod Pizza, bread and some greens. I also made sure to go to bed early. Then in the morning I timed my warm up to practically end right as the race was starting. Did a lot of butt kicks, high knees, side to sides and some strides. Got me flowing and I hit the first couple miles feeling good. Really good benchmark workout for me to see where I’m at, gauge training needs and set the bar for near term improvements.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

You may not want to plan a P.R. for this race for a couple reasons. Yes it is flat, but it is also likely to be slick and densely populated (see below about course-specific knowledge).

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

The prep was worth it. I should have eaten a light breakfast though.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

If the course is unaltered (this is the 9th year of this race) expect the last mile of the 5k loop to be on trail and this time of year likely to be slick. It’s along Tibbetts and Issaquah Creeks, so recent rains will soak the plains pretty badly. I didn’t feel comfortable going all out how I may have at the end of a race like this. I think miles 2 and 4 would be the “go hard” times because unless you’re really good on slick terrain, liable to take a spill.

Finally, because this is a fun run with walking and family friendliness (which is great!) you are likely to be slowed by folks with children and pets along the course. This is a very popular park, even in the early morning hours.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes, Lake Sammamish State Park is very nice and the water is soothing.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

No it is mostly flat and 2/3 on pavement. I wore my road running shoes, though the traction from trail shoes would have been nice on the grassy and muddy parts. I’d still run it with my roadies though because of the 2/3 on pavement. Lighter and faster (Altra Paradigm 4.5)

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Well-oiled. The social distance stuff was done well and the staggered starts made a big difference. Enough competition but felt like I was running alone for a lot of it.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

There were some fast folks who went off on the “Elite Wave” and there were more than a handful. I haven’t reviewed official results yet though.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Nope, but apparently the shirt sizes become limited as the race date approaches.

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

Standard fare for a NW Trail Runs event. Healthy stuff, candy and water 🙂 The usual BBQ and brews is off this year, of course.

Weather and typical race conditions

October in the Pacific Northwest. Wet, slick and gloomy. Though we did get some sunshine. This time of year is variable in my experience here.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?

Just the trail vs. road shoe comment above. I don’t think it matter that much but the traction is only going to help you on 1/3 of the race.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yep. Open public park, even on the course. I went to go find my fiance afterwards and didn’t bother anyone really.

How’s the Swag?

The shirt is fantastic and there is a participant raffle usually.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

It’s hard to fault this one since its the only race I completed this year so 5 starts. Given the options of other usual fall runs, I would be more inclined to do distance or an exclusively “all trail” or “all pavement” run. However, my target was to get a superb tempo-like workout to pair with a subsequent long run for 50k training, and it fit the bill nicely.

run with the kokanee 1ok

lake sammamish race report

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Race Report – Ping S

lake sammamish race report
Photo: Flashframe photography, Juan Montermoso

Race: Lake Sammamish Half Marathon

Runner: Ping S

Race Date: 03/02/2019

Location: Redmond, WA

Results: 1:25:19

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

One of my favorite half marathon courses around!

  1. Fast course: Point to point, nearly straight after a few early turns, and flat = fast
  2. Generally cool weather: I’ve run 3 out of the past 4 years and the weather at the start has been in the 30s or low 40s each time, with light winds.
  3. Pretty fast field for a local race: Usually a few people around you to run with/chase.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

I don’t mind this personally, but others may find that the course having almost 0 spectators is not what they were hoping for.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

Solid pacing, negative splits, and a big PR this year for me, so loved every minute of this one! What I liked most was my ability to tell myself during mile 1, and 2, that while I felt like I was working pretty hard already, that I shouldn’t panic, and that I know half marathons always get better by mile 5 or 6, and that I should just keep pushing and re-evaluate how I felt by mile 5 or 6. Sure enough, I was in a groove and feeling pretty good by then. A younger/different me might have listened to those mile 1/2 alarm bells and thought the early pace was too hot and slowed down, which would have been a mistake…

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

  • There is a gravel/dirt section in the middle of the race for a good 3 or 4 miles. One section this year was undergoing some sort of trail rebuild and so had rather large gravel chunks filled in that were not ideal to run on. That section was very short, however, but in general it is good to be prepared to run on hard dirt and some gravel for a meaningful amount of time.
  • When you are running through Marymoor park, try not to run in the middle of the trail – there are a number of road crossings that have ~3ft high stanchions to block cars right in the middle of the trail that are really hard to see coming if you’re running behind a few other people, which you often are in this stretch. I’ve never seen someone actually run in to one of these but I have seen some close calls so just stick to one side of the trail or the other, especially around road crossings in this stretch. There are similar stanchions along the rest of the course, too, but the runners are so strung out by then that they are not hard to see in advance.
  • Also, this has been noted before but some of the small bridges along the course are wood, and thus can be really slippery under certain conditions so be careful on these.
  • Lastly, it can be hard to pass people during the last mile and a half (after the big right turn to get off the trail) as you’re on a sidewalk (if someone runs in the middle, not a lot of space on either side) and then some of the turns and such within the state park make it a bit narrow to squeeze past.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

The lake is to your right for most of the run, which is quite nice, and the finish at the state park is also very pretty.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Nope. One of the best “set it and forget it” courses I know of; after the opening bridge crossing in the first 1/4 mile, it winds through Marymoor park for a little while, which is a great time for the packs to mix and mingle and to get in a groove. Then once you’re in a good spot, you hit the main section of the race, which is almost straight as an arrow and flat as a pancake until mile 11.5 or so (still flat, just a big right turn then). If you’re a runner who likes courses with hills or turns to “break up the monotony”, this might not be for you.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Very well run.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Fairly fast field for a relatively small/local race, though it’s still possible to find yourself running alone for long stretches – small groups would form here and there, and I was lucky in this one to end up running with 2 women for much of the last half of the race.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

Pretty easy, and +1 for race day packet pickup (I’ve seen this line get long in past years so I arrived early this year and found no line around 6:20am).

Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?

They had gels (clif?) at one station that I saw but be forewarned – it was relatively oddly placed around mile 11 or so.

Weather and typical race conditions

Cold at the start, this year (~30 or so), but with a small local race, you could wait in your car until warming up and then head straight for the start corral.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Plenty of space, but the point to point course would mandate driving ahead, stopping, driving ahead, stopping, etc…

How’s the Swag?

They went with a knit hat and gloves this year, which I thought was nice, as I’ve too many race shirts already.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

5/5 – Still my favorite half course. You want flat, fast, and cold – run Sammamish.

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Race Report – Rohit E

Race: Lake Sammamish Half Marathon

Runner: Rohit E

Date: 3/10/2018

Location: Redmond, WA

Results: 2:14:56

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/1446111619

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

The course; extremely flat, wide, and easy terrain (though there’s a slightly gravelly section in the middle which slows you down slightly.) It’s pretty well organized; for instance, parking is easy at Redmond Town Center, and the buses run promptly to return you to the start from the finish line. Aid stations are well stocked and they indicated clearly what they would have at the stations, which allows you to prepare.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

No complaints.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I was coming off an injury and decided to just take it easy and not go for a PR, which was a pity because the weather was perfect for a strong race. I just ran an easy pace and had fun with it.

Lessons Learned – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner or yourself on the next time around

It’s a fast course, and if the weather’s good, then this is a good race to set a PR. I forgot to check where the porta-potties would be at the start, and it wasn’t immediately obvious from looking at the website, so I had to hunt around a bit until I found them.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Flat for most of the course. Gravel section for about 3-4 miles around miles 5 to 9; which is a bit slower than trail or asphalt.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

Well-oiled machine.

Logistics – Anything special regarding getting to/from the race, hotels around the course, registration…?

Parking is extremely easy, in a very large parking area (Redmond Town Center).

Weather and typical race conditions

I’d say in early March, it’s about 50-50 between good racing weather and rain. This is the second time I’ve done this race, and both times I’ve had perfect weather.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Not sure. Parts of it are on an urban trail, so not the most easily accessible at every point, but there are plenty of spots to meet your runner.

How’s the swag?

They had a hoodie, but I haven’t tried it on yet.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

5 stars, and highly recommend.

lake sammamish race report

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Race Report – Laura R

lake sammamish race report

Race: Lake Sammamish Half Marathon

Runner: Laura R

Date: 3/10/2018

Location: Redmond Town Center to Lake Sammamish (Seattle, WA)

Results: 1:45:27

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. The location is great and an easy drive from Seattle and free parking in the Redmond Town Center where the race starts.
  2. The course is fast and flat (good for PRs) mostly on a path/trail with beautiful views along Lake Sammamish.
  3. This race is on a Saturday.

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

The mile markers were off by a bit which was a bit disconcerting.

The course is also not certified…yet. I heard so many people getting PRs including my own. I realized I would have qualified for NYC with my time had the race been certified.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

No marker at mile 12 and that the mile markers were off. Thank goodness for the excellent pacers who gave me the heads up when there was a mile and a half to go.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

I was able to stick to my goal pace and even run a little faster and was able to turn it up a little bit toward the end. It was cool and sunny which is the perfect running weather for me; definitely a highlight.

Lessons Learned – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner or yourself on the next time around

Warm Up – -It was 36 degrees at the start and I am guilty of NEVER warming up before a race. I think it helped me to loosen up and get to my goal pace earlier in the race.

Run Your Race- – With the mile markers off, I was tempted to go too fast because the markers were beyond when my watch had recorded a mile. I focused my goal pace and how I was feeling.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

  • Mile Markers may be off.
  • There are some very short switch-backs at the start and it is a fairly narrow pathway for about the first mile good to be aware because it is hard to pass people.
  • As of March 17, 2018, the course is not certified.
  • It is fast and flat and fun!

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

The race was well organized, and they had results available immediately at the finish. I met the race director who was very nice and did say they are planning to get the course certified. Loved that they have packet pick up in both Seattle, Bellevue and Race day. I also want to give a plug for the pacers. I didn’t follow them per se but was keeping an eye on them. I think they were from Greenlake running group and they gave me the heads up at the “1 and 1/2 miles to go” mark which mentally really helped me.

Logistics – Anything special regarding getting to/from the race, hotels around the course, registration…?

This was about a 20-minute drive for me but I live in Seattle and the race is on the Eastside so be sure to check into traffic, bridge closures prior to race day. If you are coming from out of town, there are plenty of hotels nearby suburbs. There are buses to take you back from Lake Sammamish Park to Redmond Town Center.

Weather and typical race conditions

It can be chilly, but avg. weather is around 50 degrees and there is probably a 50% chance of rain.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

It is fairly spectator friendly. The race ends at a Lake Sammamish park, so friends can meet you at the end. There are some areas along the course that are too narrow for spectators.

How’s the swag?

Great! I really like the cozy zip-up hoodie it is a nice color and fits well, there is an eagle on the back a bit too large but that is being picky. The metal is big.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

4.95-Stars: I definitely recommend this race, it is fast and flat, convenient and on a Saturday morning! I heard so many people talking about their PR’s some by 4+ minutes. I would give it a 5 if it was certified. 🙂

lake sammamish race report

lake sammamish half marathon race report

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Race Report – Aaron R

lake sammamish half marathon race reportRace: Lake Sammamish Half Marathon

Runner: Aaron R

Date: 3/10/2018

Location: Start: Redmond Town Center, Redmond, WA, USA; Finish: Lake Sammamish State Park, Issaquah, WA, USA

Results: 1h24’49”, 45th out of 1,383 overall. P.R. by 2’27”.

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/1446065015

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

  1. Elevation profile
  2. Energy from the competition and the spectators lining the route
  3. Enjoyable views of the lake and southward toward Mt. Rainier

Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

  1. Inaccurate mile markers
  2. Inaccurate mile markers
  3. 7:30 am start
  4. Inaccurate mile markers!!!

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?

That I cannot find a single weird thing about this race is probably the weirdest thing about this race.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

Excerpt from my post about this race on my website: http://www.rocheam.com/move.html#LSHM

…By the time we got back off of the gravel and were approaching the state park, I found myself among a few people speeding up and slowing down. I noticed the turnover of a runner who passed me and I tried to replicate it. This helped me big time in kilometers 18 and 19. Increasing my stride rate and being able to catch a couple people who were slowing down more than I was gave me some purpose in a race that I thought was lost long ago.

Read more about Project 1:24 and the Lake Sammamish Half ‘thon recap here! http://www.rocheam.com/move.html#LSHM

lake sammamish half marathon race reportLessons Learned – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner or yourself on the next time around

Develop a strategy to mentally handle the possibility of a course that is not precisely marked. Other course intel: there is a bridge to navigate about 800m into the race. If you get stuck in the middle of the pack, your group could bottle neck. Do not zone out in the middle of the long stretch along the East Lake Sammamish trail. This part can get monotonous.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

When you reach the state park, *IT IS ON!* Do not, *I REPEAT* do not trust any of the course markings to that point. When you’re in the park, it is safe to start your kick for home.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

This is a very well organized race despite the issue of the course markings highlighted numerous times above. Parking at the start is easy to navigate. There is a tremendous amount of race day staff ready to help out and direct you to the Honey Pots and the gear check area. When I approached the gear retrieval area after the race, someone was already making their way towards me with my bag — classy touch. Shuttle service back to the start was reliable and efficient.

Logistics – Anything special regarding getting to/from the race, hotels around the course, registration…?

Park at the start and take the shuttle back after the race. Another options is to wake up even earlier and car pool with friends — have one car at each end (Discovery Pass is needed at the State Park).

Weather and typical race conditions

This race is the second Saturday in March, in the Pacific Northwest. It can be a race with clear skies overhead; though it will likely be rainy next year. It was sunny this year; however, the course is mostly shaded. There was minimal wind. I was colder at this race than I was at a race in late January.

Conditions on 10 March 2018: 7:30 am, start: 2 degrees C (35F), 93% humidity, calm, partly cloudy skies. ~9am, finish: 5 degrees C (41F), 79% humidity, 4.6mph wind from the NNW, clear skies.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

This course is very fan-friendly. Watch from any point along the East Lake Sammamish Trail.

How’s the swag?

Too much swag at this race. High quality race hoodies, clanky participant medals, personalized race bibs. No wonder the entry fee was almost $100. SMH.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

3.75/5. Fix ya damn mile markers!!!

lake sammamish race report

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon – Mark P

Race: Lake Sammamish Half Marathon – http://lakesammamishhalf.com/

Runner: Mark P

Date: 3/4/17

Location: Redmond Town Center to Lake Sammamish State Park

Results – 1:16:06, 8th place overall

 

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

 

  • It has a flat and fast course that is ideal for PR attempts.
  • It has a strong field that is also ideal for PR attempts.
  • Everything went smoothly (even the weather!) so I could just concentrate on racing.

 

 

Not so much – aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

 

  • The trail closure detour is the right shoulder of East Lake Sammamish Parkway.  Cones won’t do much to stop fast traffic.
  • A southbound one-way race on a clear day means the sun is in your eyes most of the way.
  • The cramped ride back on a school bus was really rough on my legs.

 

 

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

 

  • This race isn’t very weird.  The one-way course stands out though of course isn’t unique.  The (included in the race fee) bus trip back is pretty neat with everyone talking about the race and running.

 

 

Highlights of your race – what did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular

 

  • I really nailed my pacing and effort levels in this race.  It was easier to do with the flat course.  I was able to use other runners for a few miles, gradually fall behind a group that was going faster than I wanted to for a few more, and then survive the rest of the way.  I had enough left to run mile 13 at 10-15 seconds faster than average pace but not enough to kick hard.

 

 

Lessons for others – share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

 

  • Try to line up in the right spot because the course narrows quickly and being too far forward or back is problematic.  Manage your effort if you’re in a crowd.
  • Don’t get caught up with too fast of a group early.

 

 

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

 

  • I got passed in the last half mile.  I’m quite happy with my overall pacing and last mile, but (of course) I still don’t like getting passed there.  Perhaps if I had picked up the pace a bit more for that last mile I would have made it harder for him.  I don’t think I have a good feel for how much I have left at 1/2/3 miles left in a longer race like this.

 

 

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

 

  • This course is flat.  There’s no holding back for a hill.  That said, there’s a small climb to the East Lake Sammamish Parkway detour, and the road is slightly rolling.  It isn’t much, but if a detour is in effect it’s useful to be ready for it.
  • There is very little space between the start and a narrow trail (4-5 people across).  I was fortunate to be in front of any congestion, but for a race this size it’s going to bog down for a mile or two.
  • The first two miles or so consist of trails to and through Marymoor Park, heading towards the East Lake Sammamish Trail (ELST).  These wind a bit, so follow the tangents if you can.
  • There’s a wood bridge somewhere around miles 3 or 4.  It was only a few steps to cross, but it was really slippery.  There was a volunteer and sign warning about it.
  • As of now, the course goes from paved to gravel at about 5.5 miles.  The gravel is in good shape but can have some puddles and mushy parts.
  • Miles 9-10.5 detour onto East Lake Sammamish Parkway.  It a very gradual rolling section.  This part is on paved roadway, as is the trail after it.  The trail then becomes a sidewalk with some driveway crossings.
  • At about mile 11.5, the course turns right and then there is a ~1 mile straightaway and you can see the whole thing.  This is great for seeing runners ahead of you but a little tough mentally because it just keeps going.  Then it heads into the park and makes a few turns.  The finish comes up a little quickly though it’s not just after a blind corner or anything like that.
  • There aren’t that many turns, but the signs tended to be just after you started worrying about which way you would have to go but definitely before you actually had to turn.

 

 

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

 

  • It’s an urban trail course with lake views.  Well, a suburban trail course with lake views.  It’s a road race on a trail.  The views of the lake are nice.  The houses are big.  The “don’t even think about parking here” sign at one of the houses makes me want to park there.  Ok, it’s a nice course, but the trail is open to run normally so if you’re racing here then you’re probably focused on other things.

 

 

Difficulty – is it a tough course

 

  • No, this is a flat, non-technical course.  You don’t get to use the different uphill and downhill muscle groups?

 

 

Organized and well run – did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

 

  • This one is well organized.  I didn’t check out the same-day packet pickup, but bag drop-off and pickup was easy.  There were volunteers at the numerous trail crossings on the course.  There was a line for soup/chili, but the potato chips were easy to grab.

 

 

Competition – is there a strong field?

 

  • There is typically a strong field.  Last year the winner was under 1:10.  There seems to always be a group in the 1:12-1:13 range.  There can be gaps somewhere between there and the low 1:20s.

 

 

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

 

  • Registration is easy, and I’m pretty sure slots were available on race day.  There are different discounts for signing up early.  The price hike for race day is the steepest.
  • The normal restrooms at Redmond Town Center had huge lines.  They had a set of port-a-potties to the left of the starting area (if facing as the race starts) with fairly short lines.

 

 

Aid Stations

 

  • I remember passing several and hearing them call out for water and Nuun.  I think some might have had gels or something like that, but I’m not sure.

 

 

Weather and typical race conditions –

 

  • We had 30s and sun.  It’s not typically going to be much colder than that.  It could easily be in the 40s.  The real question is rain and then whether it’s a northwest mist or actual rain.

 

 

Gear – did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

 

  • Be prepared for either sun in your eyes or rain.

 

 

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

 

  • This course is tough to watch. It’s one-way, so you have to work for any viewings. There’s not much parking along East Lake Sammamish Parkway. Some trail access is public, and some is private, and many of the residents are unfriendly about the trail. Popping down from the Parkway to the trail from time-to-time on a bike might be best, but (1) you have to ride faster than the runners, and (2) the Parkway is not a great place to ride. Watching the start and driving to the finish would work, and then you can give your runner a ride.

 

 

Awards –

 

  • Top 3 by gender and top 3 in each 10 year age range by gender.  I’m not aware of money or anything, but I also wasn’t in the top 3.

 

 

The Overall Score – how many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it

 

  • If 5 out of 5 means a solid race, then this gets 5.  Don’t come looking for hills, but it’s well run and fast.
  • If 5 out of 5 means awesome destination race, then this gets 4.  It’s not special in the way that many destination races are, but that’s not its purpose.

Lake Sammamish Half – Dan S

Race: Lake Sammamish Half Marathon – http://www.lakesammamishhalf.com/

Runner: Dan S

Date: 3/5/2016

Results: 1:29.10

Location: Starts at Redmond Town Center and finishes at Lake Sammamish State Park

3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most

  1. This race was well managed (registration, packet pick-up, results posting, etc.) and supported (plenty of aid stations, most pretty well staffed)
  2. The course was flat and straightforward
  3. The race was logistically “easy” (proximate to Seattle, parking near the start, not crazy lines for bathrooms at the start)

Not so much – aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you

I really have no glaring complaints about this event.  The course didn’t stand out as spectacular (e.g., awe-inspiring beautiful) or particularly engaging, but all told it was fine for what it was.

Weird factor – what’s the weirdest thing about this race

Nothing struck me as especially weird about the race.  The event was comparatively routine.

Highlights of your race – what did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular

I met my time goal for this event.  I appreciated that fact.

Lessons for others – share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

This race is straightforward.  Once things thin out (very shortly after the start), the run is essentially a flat, straight shot on a dedicated trail in the neighborhoods on the eastern shore of Lake Sammamish.

Aesthetics – is it a pretty course

The course is not remarkable aesthetically.  There are some spots on the course where you can see Lake Sammamish.  Much of the course is on a trail through neighborhoods – homes and yards on either side of the trail.

Difficulty – is it a tough course

Not particularly.  The course is flat and mostly straight.

Organized and well run – did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

The event was comparatively well run.  Maybe not as well run as a big city “banner” marathon but it was clearly a professionally managed event and the organizers were by no means flying by the seat of their pants.

Competition – is there a strong field?

Comparatively.  I understand that this half marathon is a popular one in the area on account of the flat, “fast,” course.  There were also some fast runners out there for the event.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

No, no, and no.  Registration is pretty straightforward online.  I believe that a friend of mine registered within a week of the event – in 2016, this was not a “pay just to get in a lottery, nine months before the event, and hope for the best” race.

Aid Stations

The race was well supported.  One of the aid stations was not particularly well managed, but it is also possible that I caught that aid station at an “off” time in the morning.  There were enough aid stations that a fumble at one was not a catastrophic event.

Weather and typical race conditions –

Cool, with a mildish-breeze.  Sun towards the end of the race.  Of course, the event occurs in early March in Seattle so weather is a gamble.  The day following the race, there were strong winds and very cold rain. We got lucky in 2016 but that is no guarantee that the weather will not be miserable in other years.

Gear – did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?

No.  This event is a comparatively routine, straight, flat half marathon.  No special gear was required in 2016.

Spectators – is this a friendly course for your friends

Not really.  There are a couple of spots on the trail where I understand that spectators could stop, though I do not know that these spots were easy to access or that there were many of them.  The start was fine for support crew (plenty of parking), and the finish was accessible as well (Discovery Parking pass required, though).  In the middle… not a real spectator’s course.

Awards –

I do not know.  I wasn’t even close to awards territory.  I understand that awards were provided, though these awards were mementos, not cash.

The Overall Score – how many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it

If you are looking for a flat, straightforward, well managed, easy to access half marathon in the Seattle area and are willing to risk late winter weather in Seattle, yes I can recommend this event.

lake sammamish half marathon

Lake Sammamish Half – Matt U

Race: Lake Sammamish Half Marathon – http://www.lakesammamishhalf.com/

Runner: Matt U

Date: 3/5/2016

Location: Starts in Redmond Town Center and finishes in Lake Sammamish State Park

Results – 2nd place, 1:12.47

3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?

The course is flat and fast. The race was deep with a good amount of fast runners. It was well organized and ran very smoothly.

Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?

This was my first half marathon in 5+ years, so first, I’m happy that it went smoothly, that I worked hard, and I didn’t blow up. I am happy with the pace I was able to maintain. The biggest challenge was that one guy went out fast early and I had to make the decision whether to go after him or to stick with the pack and let the lead guy go. I didn’t do either very well and I ended up spending almost the entire race in no-man’s land. I finished almost a minute ahead of third (and the pack behind him) and five minutes behind the winner (he ran 67+ minutes!). I was really looking forward to racing and running with people and instead, the run ended up being a grind-it-out solo workout effort. This is just the luck of the draw based on who shows up to the race on race day. The field was deep with 10th place still being under 76 minutes.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner

Establish your position early. This year they changed the start location which removed the silly back and forth parking lot finish. As a result, there are lots of little turns and the path narrows quickly. If your goal is to post a fast time or be competitive, I strongly suggest using a little speed burst early to get into position for your race. There are a lot of people in this race and it’s easy to see how someone could get stuck farther back and spend precious energy dodging and weaving to try and get up where they belong in the race.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

If flat is tough, then this course is a killer. Nearly completely flat. My watch maybe registered 40ft of total gain over the 13 miles.

Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?

I was really pleased with how smoothly this went. The start area was big and open. Parking was abundant. Packet pickup went quickly. There were tons of porta-potties. The start was easy to find and on time. Very smooth and well run race.

Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.

I don’t know if the race sold out, but it never seemed like an issue. They offer better pricing for signing up early. This is an easy one to jump into.

Aid Stations

They were there and they were offering gels, water, and probably a sports drink. I didn’t take anything, but it was nice knowing they were there!

Weather and typical race conditions

We got nice weather. 50s and dry. There was a slight headwind but nothing serious. The course is fairly protected for much of the race as it’s tucked in between houses and trees. However, it was the first week in March and weather could certainly be crappy this time of year in the Pacific NW.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

There were plenty of spots along the way for people to stop and cheer. It’s a point to point course and the bike path parallels a road the entire way. So long as your friends can find parking along the way, they will be able to cheer for you. That said, there were some quiet sections out there.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?

5 stars. For what I was looking for, a flat, fast half marathon that was local to Seattle, this race was perfect. It was well run, the weather cooperated, the competition was deep, and I ran well. All positives!