Runner Lynn T. reviews the half marathon in Seattle, including how to save money when registering and what to wear. Read more below!

Race: Seattle Half Marathon 2018

Runner: Lynn T

Race Date: 11/25/2018

Location: Seattle, WA

Results: 2:03:26

3 Bests – What aspects of the Seattle Half Marathon did you like the most?

The perfect Seattle fall weather, amazing cheering crowds, and less hills on course!

Not so much – What aspects of the Seattle Half Marathon didn’t do it for you?

Some parts of the course were a little cramped when we went along the Burke Gilman trail

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

I enjoyed running a half marathon in Seattle, the weather was perfect, and the people along the course were amazing.

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the Seattle Half Marathon to help the next runner

Bring layers in case it is cold and also see if those layers can be tossed later on as you warm up

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Don’t run too hard in the beginning!

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

It’s a beautiful course along downtown, I-5, and the Burke

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Not too tough, perfect elevation

Competition – Is there a strong field?

It was definitely a strong field

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.

The Seattle Half Marathon race can be fairly expensive if registering late, I recommend registering early, connection with an ambassador for a $10 discount code, or waiting until the month before to register – they usually have a groupon deal for much cheaper registration fees

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

Aid stations seems a little spread out but I also didn’t study them as well – I brought my own bottle to run with

Weather and typical race conditions

Weather is typically raining or freezing – prepare for the worst!

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes! My friends were at mile 11/24! It was a great location and gives them time to head back to the finish in time too

How’s the Swag?

Love their long sleeve dry fit shirt – it is perfect for Seattle runs – everything else is standard. The medal is actually a lot nicer this year too!

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

4 stars – I recommend running this race

Trying to decide which race is best for you? Check out our coaches’ advice for choosing the right races!

In this race report, runner Candice C. reviews the Seattle Half Marathon, including what you should train for and what you should know about the aid stations.

Race: Seattle Half Marathon 2018

Runner: Candice C

Race Date: 11/25/2018

Location: Seattle, WA

Results: 02:14:09

3 Bests – What aspects of the Seattle Half Marathon did you like the most?

• Large and well supported/organized, from the expo (perfect excuse to visit Downtown after Thanksgiving) to the recovery area (I liked the hot chicken broth with rice)
• It’s a nice Seattle race in the winter when there aren’t that many
• Get to run through the City

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

• For the most part, I just let go and didn’t check my Garmin all the time.
• There was a segment where I was actually able to pass people 😉
• Spot on 10:00/min average pace

Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the Seattle Half Marathon to help the next runner

• Study and think about the hills in advance
• Given the high # of runners, it can be inconvenient to use the aid stations for liquids
• If you’re more serious about hitting a fast time, be aware that traffic incidents (there was an intersection at Mercer where the cops actually let a bus through, while runners had to stop) can occur.  In Fremont, the cops pushed people aside with sirens to let what I’m guessing a marathon winner to get by.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

• Even if you don’t take a race super seriously, be sure you are properly hydrated during the days leading up to it

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the Seattle Half Marathon?

• The hills can be a killer!

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

• It is scenic if you like cityscapes

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

• It’s a fair course, on the whole pretty comparable to the Seattle Rock n Roll Half Marathon

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

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 Seattle Half Marathon happen.

• Easy logistics.  Entrance fee is steep but you’d expect that for something like this.

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

• See “lessons for others above.”  If I could do it again, I’d bring a small water bottle which might have helped me.  I was lazy and didn’t consume my GU – I wonder if I had whether I’d done better.

Weather and typical race conditions

• Perfect day.  No rain or wind.  

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

• Seemed friendly

How’s the Swag?

• The technical tee is nice, the finishers medal could use some graphic design if that’s something one cares about 😉

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give the Seattle Half Marathon, and do you recommend that others run it?

• It all depends on what you like/are looking for.  I personally thought this was 9 stars out of 10.

Trying to decide which race is best for you? Check out our coaches’ advice for choosing the right races!

In this race report, Austin M. reviews his experience of the marathon near Seattle, the Amica Seattle Marathon. Read on for his tips for managing the hills!

Race: Amica Seattle Marathon

Runner: Austin M

Date: 11/26/2017

Location: Seattle, WA

Results: 3:28:52.0

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/1291967088

3 Bests – What aspects of the Amica Seattle Marathon did you like the most?

1. Frequency/Spacing of water and Gatorade – I tend to drink a lot of water, but hate carrying my own. The race had a really good amount of stations I was able to run through and grab water.
2. Course – The course was a pretty cool mix of downtown Seattle streets, local parks, and waterfront views. They removed the section across I-90 which I’ve run a few times for workouts, and I’m glad we didn’t run that route, I think it’s an improvement for the course.
3. Size/Competition – This was only my 2nd attempt at the Marathon distance, but I was in the midst of other runners the entire race. I ran with a couple different groups throughout the race and never felt like I was running against my own ghost.

Not so much – What aspects of the Seattle Marathon didn’t do it for you?

Weather – It actually wasn’t too bad this year, considering it was late November in the PNW. Start was really cold rain, then I was staring into the sun and blue skies, and ended with some rough wind. I’d prefer one form of weather though whole race, but Seattle weather is always weird.

Out and Back Sections – There were two points in the race where the course runs out for a mile or two and then turns around onto the same road/trail. Mixed into a Marathon I wasn’t super keen on the 180 degree turns and the mental aspect of running back the course I just conquered.

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about the Seattle Marathon?

Weather – A little weird on race day, sort of got a taste of all the seasons.

Hills – There are a couple hills at the end that people forget about, the course doesn’t end on a hill, but the last half mile is a saddle.

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

I think the whole race was a highlight, I raced well and felt like all aspects of my race and the event went very smoothly. My own management of effort went well, I had to tell myself to keep my legs reigned in until the last 10k, but I’m glad I did.

Fueling was also very smooth, outside of choking on a cup of water in the early miles. I ate a few less Gus than I brought, and I felt pretty hydrated all race.

No bathroom breaks!

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

With the hilly sections sort of book-end on this course (in the beginning and at the end) I think you can open up the engine more in the middle. If you manage effort well you’re going to pass a lot of people in the last 10k, so the section to push yourself is on the flat in the middle.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the Seattle Marathon?

The last 10k is probably the most tough, mentally and physically, now that the I-90 section has been taken out. The out-and-back through the arboretum and the sweeping turns through Interlaken take some grit to race through, be ready for that.

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

Yes, although it takes some planning to get in and out of the expo and packet pick up on Friday/Saturday, since the venue is smack downtown.

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

Nope, seems like a typical city marathon.

Weather and typical race conditions

Expect a mix of everything! I always race lighter than I train, and I think that worked well here. A long sleeve technical shirt, a hat, shorts with enough pockets for Gu, and good socks were my kit.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Definitely! I saw my family twice with the loop around Seward park, and Team Run Runners along the way.

How’s the swag?

Average.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give the Seattle Marathon and do you recommend that others run it?

8/10

Trying to decide which race is best for you? Check out our coaches’ advice for choosing the right races!

Race: Seattle Marathon

Runner: Matt P

Date: 11/26/2017

Location: Seattle City Center

Results: 03:42:25

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/1292091484

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

1. Scenic course along Lake Washington’s coast and through some of Seattle’s most beautiful, historic parks and neighborhoods.
2. Lots of support being a local race, familiar faces, sense of camaraderie among runners and supporters.
3. LOTS OF HILLS to cash in on the training

Not so much – What aspects of the Seattle Marathon didn’t do it for you?

Weather. I tried to follow weather predictions for a week and prepare accordingly, which actually meant I was overdressed and carrying too much stuff. The weather was off with less wind and more sun than predicted, which is great! However during training I intentionally ran at night in the rain for long runs in order to condition myself for this race!

Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about the Seattle Marathon?

The dancing dinosaur I high-fived at mile 13.

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

In particular I trained and prepared for the race well. That included tapering much better than previously, paying special mind to nutrition, packing accordingly and planning for a nearby stay at a cheapish hotel.

I felt changing paces to match goal needs throughout the race was a big accomplishment. I made mental games out of the distances and by chasing pacing groups. Very mental to gamify the race and I felt that contributed to a solid P.R.

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

Train for hills. Most of the race is at a gentle uphill grade that is hardly noticeable but there are multiple steep hills to climb. At least one category 5 climb, where many many runners stopped to walk.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the Seattle Marathon?

It’s hilly but this year’s course allowed for recovery pretty easily. I.e. After the hill you’re either going right back down or running mostly flat. Nothing sustained for more than a couple of miles at a time.

It’s likely to be wet – November is typically Seattle’s wettest month.

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

It was pretty well run but a lot of the volunteers didn’t know where things were. I couldn’t find the promised shower and changing facilities, so ended up going for a follow-up run to get back to my hotel without freezing!

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

The Holiday Inn Express on Aurora had tons of room, is super close and relatively inexpensive for the SLU/Downtown area. I left my hotel just before 7:30 and made it to the bag drop and then starting line with time to spare for a bathroom break. They even worked with me to set up a late checkout time so I could come back and use the room after the race.

Weather and typical race conditions

Wet, cold, windy. Though we lucked out and got some sun!

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Totally. Everyone in good spirits.

How’s the swag?

Pretty good swag. I like the finisher shirt, the medal is solid and there were a lot of handouts. One of the handouts were these Strawberry Jam, Chia seed gel shots with caffiene — I actually used it during the race and I’m going to purchase more of these.

The Overall Score – How many stars do you give the Seattle Marathon and do you recommend that others run it?

5 stars: It’s a challenging course because of the hills and weather but it represents Seattle well in that it’s gorgeous and you’re likely to encounter some fun personalities on the course. Example: Found some 20-somethings carrying a portable stereo listening to electronic dance music, and I joined up with them to enjoy some tunes for a while. Super friendly crowd and I recommend the race for anyone looking for a challenge. I suspect it’s not a good P.R. or B.Q. race though because of the ~1500 ft elevation gain.