Seattle Marathon Race Report – Coach Keith Laverty

Race: Seattle Marathon

Runner: Coach Keith Laverty

Race Date: 11/26/2023

Location: Seattle, WA

Results: 3rd OA, 2:32:07

Strava Activity Link

https://www.strava.com/activities/10286662417/overview

Photo: Tiare Bowman

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

  • Big turnout from the running community; lots of on-course cheer stations and enthusiasm!
  • Despite the course change, I liked that the course returned back to starting and finishing in the Seattle center.
  • I enjoyed running in a solid pack of 6 other runners! A lot of my training is solo too, so I feel like I got a good boost with the pack to help pull me along for a faster time.

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

Mile 22-24 got super congested with the marathon runners meeting back up with the half-marathon field. The half had about 3,000 finishers, which is amazing! But it made it tough to find flow and weave through huge crowds of runners, while also losing sight of my next competitor who came in 2nd place.

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

  • Certainly a few quirky parts of the course. I almost took a critical wrong turn that wasn’t super obvious/marked and the same thing happened with another one of our pack runners earlier too. Several icy and slick bits of the course too! One of those sections was on a brick uphill path near the UW campus and I literally had to side step to the sidewalk because the Nike Next% 2 was no good for traction!
  • Another weird part was when we all had to awkwardly hop over a higher concrete barrier and one of the runners in my pack nearly slammed into one of those large orange traffic signs.

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

  • My even pacing strategy, staying even-keeled even despite many distractions/challenges from the race (aka, managing stress response!), and staying in the hunt for the podium spot.
  • Not taking it too seriously and remembering to smile!
  • My fast finishing kick in the final 800m to secure the last podium spot by a mere 4 seconds! It was a stressful, yet exhilarating and fun way to finish!

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

  • Be aware of your footing! Many potholes, icy sections (if cold enough), wet leaves through Interlakken, other transitions between dirt/gravel and road, and other tight turns.
  • There’s no day-of-race bib pick-up, it must be done on either Friday or Saturday in downtown Seattle. Nice that they offer pick-up for 2 days prior to the race though.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Not so much for the first ~6 miles with mostly running the I-5 expressway highway section but after that, not too bad! You get a taste of the UW campus, the Arb, Interlakken Park is pretty, the iconic Gas Works Park and then the classic Green Lake loops!

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

For a road marathon, certainly up there as one of the harder ones out there. Definitely not quite as fast and smooth as many other marathons. There’s about 1600′ of gain for this new course that was used for the first time this year, and several tight turns or places that change from road to gravel and visa versa.

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

I think the Seattle Marathon seemed to step up their game this year based on stories I had heard from the previous two years. Mostly dialed in. However, still a couple of course logistics that could be ironed out a little better, such as the congestion of marathon runners with half-marathon runners in the final 5 miles.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

This year’s field seemed to be the strongest it has seen in the last 10 years! Including in both the marathon and the half distances. In my race, the top-10 all ran under 2:40. So pretty strong given the difficult course!

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

There were stations about every 2-2.5 miles on the course, and most gave out cups of water and Nuun Hydration.

Weather and typical race conditions

About as nice as I could’ve expected for a late November day in Seattle! Although it was pretty cold, ~34 degrees at the start and it barely warmed up at all by the end of my race!

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

For a very cold morning, I’d recommend to consider wearing gloves, arm sleeves and a cap. And those items are easy to take off or to ditch later into the race if need be.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

  • Not bad! Many areas for spectators to cheer. However, driving around the city presented some challenges with many road closures too, so make sure spectators allow themselves enough time and probably only limit to 1-2 different cheer spots on the course.
  • Runners go through one area twice, Mile 7ish, and again at Mile 12ish, so that’s a solid place to spectate from.

How’s the Swag?

The post-race swag bag was pretty impressive! Besides the race medal and a generic long-sleeve tech shirt, we also got a Miir insulated coffee mug, a bin of Huma hydration drink mix, a big tin of CBD/herbal recovery balm and a tall insulated hydration bottle.

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

4 out of 5 stars – A few hiccups here and there on the course profile and logistics but the race has now returned to starting/finishing back at the Seattle Center and the running community really showed up!

Keith Laverty is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about him or to work with him, check out his coach profile.

Saturnalia 10k Race Info

WINTER, DARKNESS, AND ALL THE WEATHER – Held near the darkest time of the year in the Pacific Northwest, this should brighten up your mood if you’re in need of a well-supported trail race with fun vibes and friendly faces. The race starts and ends at Reeves Middle School in Olympia, WA, and runs on the rolling trails in Squaxin Park.

The Quick List

  • When: 16 December 2023
  • Start time: 9am
  • Where: Squaxin Park, Olympia, WA (Park at Reeves Middle School, 2200 Quince Street NE, Olympia,WA 98506
  • Distance: 10k
  • Awesomeness: 5 out of 5
  • Motivation to race a winter 10k!

Important to Know

  • This is a cupless race, so bring your own flask/collapsible cup, or purchase one at the race.
  • The course is open to the public, so be nice to other trail users while you pass them.
  • There is no course cut-off! If a walk in the woods is your jam, this race is perfect for you.
  • Packet pickup is race morning, so set that alarm, but with a reasonable start of 9am, you won’t have to set it too early.
  • Wear trail shoes with good traction given it’s the wet season in the PNW, with wet bridges and we leaves on the ground covering roots and other ankle twisters!
  • Bring warm clothes to change into afterwards given it’s likely to be wet. Restrooms are available for the day of the race at Reeves gym
  • Parking is at Reeves Middle School. Please do not park at Squaxin Park!
  • Address: 2200 Quince Street NE, Olympia,WA 98506
Wet, leaves, and possibly mud at the Saturnalia 10k in Olympia, WA

Course

  • Type: The pay-attention-to-course-markings kind of course
  • Start/Finish Info: Same location, Reeves Middle School track
  • Hills: Rollers throughout of 30-100 feet gain/loss at a time.
  • 659 feet of elevation gain in 6.4 miles
  • Course Map, Elevation Profile and GPX Route in Strava Race Group.
  • Leave some gas in the tank for the final 100 ft climb back up to the finish!

Aid stations

  • Fully stocked aid station at the finish line
  • Water, Tailwind, soda, fruit, chips, pickles and a few other treats.
  • Warm beverages to…well…warm up!

Spectator access

The best location is the start/finish, but since the trails are open to the public, spectators are allowed to be in the park as well.

Club Event Page on Strava

Race Website

Rock Candy Running

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..

Frost Eagle Trail Run 5 Mile Race Report – Brandon Tower

Race: Frost Eagle Trail Run – 5 Miles

Runner: Brandon Tower

Race Date: 01/21/2023

Location: Soaring Eagle Regional Park, Sammamish, WA

Results: 33:15 – 3rd Place

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

  • For a trail course, its a good mix of flats and rollers. Nothing so steep that you had to walk, but it had enough variety to keep it interesting and true to trail racing. It was very technical (roots and rocks) but I think that made the course more fun, not less
  • Very well marked course. Even though it’s got a lot of twists and turns, following the course was really easy (although I almost made a wrong turn at the very end before I was saved by some kind spectators!)
  • Easy logistics. Not much more than driving to the park, grabbing a bib, and running. The porter-potty to runner ratio was also great

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

Limited parking. For those running the 5 mile race (which starts later) the only parking is along the road. I was one of the first there for the 5 mile race, and I was about a quarter mile away from the start line. Many others looked like they were parked more than half a mile away from the start. Not a huge deal, but if you need things pre-race that you want locked in your car before the race starts, your trip to the car could be something you have to build into the warm up

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

The podium prize is a coffee mug

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

The technical nature of the course creates a different athletic challenge than you’d get running a classic road race. I think this made it a lot of fun! While there were a number of tripping hazards, if you enjoy trail running, I think this is a great course

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

There’s a lot of tight singletrack. If you need to pass another runner, it might require some tactical maneuvering to do so safely and efficiently.

If the course is dry, the ground pretty well packed. I saw at least one runner using the Nike Vaporflys, and they didn’t seem to have any issues with traction. I used a heavy tread shoe myself though

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Should have paced myself better. I tried to hang with the eventual winner for too long, and I paid for it in the back-half of the race.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

Keep an eye out for roots and rocks.

Also, the tree cover definitely messes with the GPS watch. The Strava posts I saw all had different distances for the 5 mile course, so the distance/pace monitor isn’t going to be reliable. This became tricky at the end. I had to make a turn towards the end, where one direction went to the finish, and the other took you back out. I thought I still had another quarter-mile to go, so I almost took the wrong direction. Fortunately, some spectators got me going the right way!

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Classic forest/wood trail run. The trail is well-kept and scenic

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Not especially. The course has some short rollers, but it feels mostly flat by trail standards.

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

This group knew what they were doing. Course was well marked, things ran on time, and the experience was smooth.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

It’s a smaller race, probably only 200-300 for both the 5 mile and half marathon. There were some strong runners out there, but its not as deep as other marquee events.

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.

About as easy as it gets. Sign up online, show up on race day, and run. If you’re local, this is a simple one.

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

Aid stations were available out on the course. The course is a figure 8, done twice for the half marathon. The aid station is at the 8’s intersection, so you have plenty of opportunities to get aid if you’re looking for it.

Weather and typical race conditions

It’s a late January race, so it’s colder. I missed any rain, but if it had been wet, the course would have been a lot slower.

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

Nothing special. There’s a tent where you can keep a bag of dry clothes for when the race is done.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

There’s a few places you could post up near the beginning/end of the course.

How’s the Swag?

T-shirts are an additional cost.

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

Pretty close to 5 out of 5. Not many areas they could improve on. Race is a lot of fun and very well organized.

Seattle Ghost Marathon HM Race Report – Brandon Tower

Race: Seattle Ghost (Half Marathon Distance)

Runner: Brandon Tower

Race Date: 11/26/2022

Location: Seward Park, Seattle

Results: 1st Place

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

  1. Beautiful course run almost entirely along Lake Washington
  2. Smaller race without any of the logistical challenges that come from larger events
  3. Pancake flat throughout

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

The course is run mostly on sidewalks without restricting any access to the general public. This made for narrow running lanes at points. Also, a stretch of the sidewalk is very uneven, with large cracks/roots making it difficult to get sure footing. It doesn’t rise to the level of being hazardous, but it slows you down slightly.

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

The prize for the winners was a stuffed Husky dog with a bib around it’s neck.

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

The course views are incredible throughout. Very scenic and enjoyable place to run.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

It’s a smaller and less competitive field. The winning times for these races would not be good enough to podium larger events, the Seattle Marathon that took place the same day.

Orca Half Marathon Race Report – Chanelle Lansley

Race: The Orca Half Marathon

Runner: Chanelle Lansley

Race Date: 09/17/2022

Location: Seattle, WA

Results: 1:36:26.69

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

  1. The scenery! The run had beautiful views of the Puget Sound and Downtown throughout much of the race
  2. The organizers! The team managing the race was fantastic and very well organized.
  3. The celebration at the finish line! They had good snacks, live music, and positive vibes at the finish line

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

A few out and backs that were awkwardly placed but unavoidable in order to maintain the view/course.

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

It’s a cup-less race

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

I enjoyed the people who organized the race, the people who ran the race, and the people who were cheering us on on the street!

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

If you need to hydrate often, bring water or a reusable cup

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

The first part of the race is a trail at Lincoln park.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes!

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

After the first 2-3 miles, it’s almost entirely flat.

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

Yes

Competition – Is there a strong field?

I thought so!

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.

Easy registration process

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

Bring your own cups. They have gu available every 2 miles

Weather and typical race conditions

Beautiful weather

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

Hydration vest if you need extra water

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes

How’s the Swag?

Great! Shirt and medal

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

5 stars

Running your first race and need some first-timer tips? We’ve got you covered.

Sri Chinmoy 7 hour Race Report – Jonny Granby

Race: Sri Chinmoy 7 Hour Race

Runner: Jonathan Granby

Race Date: 05/28/2022

Location: Seattle, WA

Results: Stone dead last

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

  1. Simple but effective. This is a no-bells-and-whistles type of event, it has everything you could want or need and nothing extra.
  2. Mix of terrain. In a 1.54 mile loop it was remarkable to be on tarmac, gravel and single track, but the variety was immensely helpful in staving off boredom.
  3. Ties to Sri Chinmoy. The connection to this community provided a warmth and cheerfulness that is rarely seen.

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

  1. The lap tracking was a little, um, different. It was sweet in its simplicity but it didn’t always afford the runner accurate, timely information.
  2. The loop itself has a minor lollipop section where all the runners had to squeeze past each other going in opposite directions, not a major gripe but became tiresome

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

This race was entered in pursuit of a larger goal, to walk around Lake Washington (all 63 miles of it) in one day, we’re calling it WALWOD (Walk Around Lake Washington in One Day). This ultra event provided a great training opportunity to spend 7 hours walking on a flat terrain, largely mimicking the lakeside paths that’ll be used. Good testing for shoes, equipment and really just walking for so flipping long.

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

Not much to it. There’s no secret handshake required. Some legit runners show up, with at least one on their way to Western States later this year. You can park right on the side of the course, which is fabulous for easy access to gear changes and saving you tent set up or anything like that.

Tiger Claw Race Report – Samantha Goldklang

Race: Tiger Claw

Runner: Samantha Goldklang

Race Date: 05/14/2022

Location: Tiger Mountain, Issaquah, Washington

Results: 7 hour 15 minutes

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

  1. The atmosphere – it was hard but FUN! everyone was smiling cheering you on as you run through a beautiful PNW forest setting
  2. The challenge – physically and mentally. I am strong.
  3. The layout – 5 loops, choose your own order and adventure with a central start/end

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

This was my third trail race and my longest one by 10 miles. Also a 25 mile race that actually was 27/28, so an ultra. The vertical gain was also intense: 7500 ft. It started with a flat-ish loop that everyone does together. Then people spread out then to choose 1/4 first loops and complete all of them in any order. It was awesome because during a majority of the race you were alone, minus some smiling faces you passed. You didn’t know where anyone else was. It made the race super personal. It was my home mountain, I hiked or ran here every week, at least month. It was hard. It was long. It had some lows and some highs but after crawling up a short steep section for the last loop (1500 ft in just over a mile), I somehow ran down the last 2.5 miles the fastest all day with a giant smile on my face. I did it. I really did it.

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

Smile and have fun, breathe, and keep moving forward

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Test and dial in your nutrition! The longest run I did prior was 16 miles and I was able to get down my regular hiking snacks. This one, I didn’t have much of an appetite for the norm. I got down some dried mango, a protein bar, then tried my first GU after a steep uphill while on the move and got a cramp!!! It scared me into sticking to what I knew but I think before the next race I will probably test out some gels and different quick fuels to have on the go.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

I don’t know if any order is better but I would study the different loops elevation/mileage so you can pick an order

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Beautiful PNW forest

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

YES! SO MUCH VERT

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

YES! Everything was well marked. Volunteers were friendly

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Yes! There is also a double (50 miler) and I would see people crushing the hills I was going down uphill (after the first of each loops they have to do them in reverse)

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.

Sells out?

Weather and typical race conditions

PNW in the spring- 50s with some rain some sun, be prepared for anything

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes! Great place at the main loop start point to cheer you on!

How’s the Swag?

The medals are SO RAD

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

10/10, yes but be up for the mental and physical challenge. Would recommend training for the format of multiple loops

Interested in running an ultra? Check out our 7 steps to get started!

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.

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Race Report – Chanelle Lansley

Race: Lake Sammamish Half

Runner: Chanelle Lansley

Race Date: 03/05/2022

Location: Seattle, WA

Results: 1:37:35

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

The route and the organizers were great!

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

The starting line was very congested due the narrow trails.

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

Reusable cups (it’s a good thing but was new to me)

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

I enjoyed the friendliness of other participants!!

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

The hill was longer than expected, but there was a nice, equally long downhill.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Find the right pace group!

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Yes

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Not too difficult

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

Yes, very well managed.

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

Water, nuun, and gels available every 3 miles or so.

Weather and typical race conditions

Great weather!

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

If you need a lot of water, bring your own

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yes

How’s the Swag?

T-shirt + medal

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

5 stars!

julie urbanski bridle trails 50k

Bridle Trails Race Reports

The Bridle Trails Race Series is typically held in January every year on the East Side of Seattle, with several distance options, as well as team options, on a 5 mile, gently rolling loop, with races starting just before sunset, so it’s a race against the sun to finish. This is a favorite every year for the PNW runners since there are so many distance options and since you have aid every 5 miles, and as long as the course is fairly dry, you can run some fast times on it.

Bridle Trails 50K Race Report

Bridle Trails 50K Race Report – Chase P

Race: Bridle Trails Winter Trail Running Festival - 50k Runner: Chase P Race Date: 01/11/2020 Location: Kirkland, WA Results: 4:55, 13th OA Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/3003313604 3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most? Loop Course - I know the park really well already...but over the course of running 6 laps you REALLY get to ...

Bridle Trails 50k – Dave S

Race: Bridle Trails 50k Runner: Dave Date: 1/14/2016 Location: Bridle Trails State Park, Kirkland, WA Results: 3:49.29, 3rd place overall and 1st masters 3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most Loop course - I found the loops to be not too long and not too short. 5.2 miles is enough to settle into running, ...
julie urbanski bridle trails 50k

Bridle Trails 50k – Julie U

Race: Bridle Trails 50k Runner: Julie U Date: 1/14 Location: Bridle Trails State Park, Kirkland WA Results: 4:37, 2nd place female and 10th overall 3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most -So many team members there running the races and cheering us on. It was so great knowing so many other people were out ...

Bridle Trails 5k – Mark P

Race: Bridle Trails Party in the Park 5k – http://www.bridletrails.org/news_events/party-in-the-park-2015-event-details.html Runner: Mark P Date: 6/25/2016 Location: Bridle Trails State Park – Kirkland, WA Results: 17:08, 1st place 3 Bests – what aspects of the race did you like the most It’s a fundraiser for the park combined by other events including a pancake breakfast afterwards. I really like their 5k course.  It’s on fairly wide ...
bridle trails matt urbanski

Bridle Trails 5 mile Race Report- Matt U

Race: Bridle Trails 5 miler. http://www.seattlerunningclub.org/Events/Bridle/bridle.html Runner: Matt U Date: 1/9/2016 Location: Bridle Trails State Park, Kirkland WA Distance raced and other options: 5M, 10M, 50k, 50k relays 3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most? 1. Great Seattle trail running community race. Lots of locals out for this one which gives it a great sense of community. 2 ...

Prepping for a race? Here’s a checklist to help you prepare for your next one!

dash point 10k race report

Dash Point 10k Race Report – Renee Gale

Race: Evergreen Trails – Dash Point 10k

Runner: Renee Gale

Race Date: 03/20/2021

Location: Dash Point State Park, Washington

Results: 30th of 90 females and 2nd in my age group

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/4980418724

dash point 10k race report
Photo: Fast Focus Photography NW

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

The trails at this park are beautiful with trees, a creek, some bridges and stairs. I love how the trail is mostly narrow and has lots of serpentine twists and loops. I like the variety and length of the rise and falls in elevation both as one climbs to the highest point and then back to the lowest point by the beach.

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

The steep stairs near the beginning of the race are quite the challenge and I wouldn’t be disappointed if they didn’t exist. However, as I live near this park, it’s something I can measure my progress against as I become more experienced in trail running, the goal being someday to actually run vs. walk.

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

Hmmm. I guess what was different, not really weird, was having to stop and report into an aid station halfway through.

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

Not that I did it well, but definitely seeing improvement on my pacing and climbing the uphills. Another runner whom I was following for a while was clipping along close to the same pace as I was on the downhills and on the flatter portions of the course but I steadily gained on her on the uphills which made me feel good.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Focus, focus, focus. A couple of weeks ago I ran a rocky and sandy trail in Arizona. Being from Washington, it was the first time I ran a more desert-like trail and I ended up falling three times and fractured a rib. So when I was running this course, I tried to remain hypervigilant about my form and foot placement on the trail. At first I was really cautious being gun-shy from my recent falling experience. As the miles racked up, I felt more and more confident. Then, all of sudden I was on the ground – another runner was coming towards me up the trail and I think I got distracted for just a moment and down I went. Luckily, it had been raining some in the week up to the race and the ground was soft and muddy.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Like mentioned before, to me, it’s beautiful, green, serene.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

I am new to trail running so I can’t judge for other experienced runners. I would say the beginning of the course with several tiers of steep stairs to climb was the tough part. The rest of it seems pretty moderate.

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

I felt like it was very well organized. The only difficulty in logistics that I had was figuring out the wave system. I wish there had been someone in the holding area to announce which wave was coming up next. The course was well-marked … I have run this trail a few times on my own and have had a hard time navigating where I want to go; it was nice not to have to concentrate on where to go next.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

I don’t know. Again I’m new to trail racing so at this point I am running these races for fun and not competitively. I think the race was listed as a good course for beginners to trail running.

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.

When I first tried to sign up for the race maybe a couple of months ago, registration was closed and I was put on a waiting list. I really didn’t think I was going to get to run this but obviously I did!

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

At the aid station that we were asked to report in, I couldn’t see any water, just snacks but I didn’t ask any of the three people standing there.. I was kind of tired and not thinking straight. Just wish the water was obvious and quick to get to. Oh and because of the pandemic, this was a cupless race, maybe that’s why I couldn’t see the water source.

Weather and typical race conditions

Weather was great, not too cold, didn’t get rained on. It had rained prior to the race, so some parts of the course were muddy but it wasn’t too bad.

Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?dash point 10

I just wore what I typically wear on a dry, winter day, which is a long-sleeve base layer shirt with a t-shirt over it and leggings.

How’s the Swag?

The only swag was an engraved wood plaque which looks more like a coaster. It’s okay but not sure if I will keep it.

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

I would give this race a 4.8 out of 5 and definitely recommend for runners who have a similar running background/experience to mine.

Cougar Mountain Trail Series Race Report – Matt Pawelski

Race: Cougar Mountain Trail Series (19.6 mi)

Runner: Matt Pawelski

Race Date: 10/25/2020

Location: Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, Newcastle, WA

Results: 3:56:33.4 (28/52)

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/4243627138

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

  1. Soooooo many trails. A classic and frequented course on Cougar Mountain gives you a very thorough tour of the most runnable sections.
  2. The course feels fast but in fact is really quite hilly
  3. So great to see the local running community gathering a bit once again.

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

  1. The number one thing about racing during COVID is the difficulty breathing in a soaked mask — Cougar is especially heavily populated already so when you’re not masking up for other runners, a long string of hikers can make it a bit before I can really breathe.
  2. The number two thing about racing during COVID is a bunch of people you know are around but no one can really tell who is who haha.
  3. The COLD …. 29 degrees at start this year.

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

Dustin Hinkle wearing a indomitable snow bunny costume and banging a drum? I guess he just does that for fun?

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

My prep was really good this time around. I think knowing there was a drop bag at 10 mi turn around in addition to the 3 aid stations allowed me to be very realistic about my energy and gear needs. In this one, I carried 3 gels and a pack of Clif Bloks with my hand held Salomon floppy. And that was it. I didn’t stop to fill or anything. I would have, but the need just didn’t arise partly due to the cold. I did of course grab a few packages of M&Ms for my partner at home. It was like my little version of trick or treating 🙂

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

Big thing that threw me off was the race seems to show up a little short of 19.6 on most clean GPX recordings I found, and the elevation more than the advertised 3700. This time I showed 18.76 and 4200ish. Not that big of a deal but climbing up literally the last climb did not expect to emerge to the finish line, and regreted not going a bit harder on that climb. I was kind of saving for a “last mile hard” type thing. Instead the big bunny was waiting across the field banging the drum…

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Focus on the race and don’t get lost in own head — especially important on this race because some of the extended downhill sections can really be taken quickly early on. I was really falling into a race groove darting down a hill thinking, “wow this split may be under 8:00” (which is always nice for me in a trail race) but then I took a bad step which put a lot of impact onto my ankle and rolled it, which I then had to manage for the next 16ish miles. Not fun – stay in the game.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

People are known to take a wrong turn here and there and ruin their race. Seeing as I missed a turn on a simple 5k exactly one week prior I was a bit concerned. In the end no wrong turns today and the course was very well marked.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

There aren’t any views per se but the forest is very pleasant. It was very cold but clear and sunny, and the sun rays against fall foliage was a great environment for an early Sunday morning.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

It’s very hilly but it creeps up on you, too. Some of the terrain is technical due to roots and rocks, hidden and exacerbated by slick conditions in early-mid fall. On the other hand, previous races probably happen in 70 degree weather. October is October in western WA.

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

Pretty well-run minus one caveat (next paragraph). I mean, when Budu Racing, NWTR and SRC come together to host something, I expect pretty smooth sailing. Chipped bibs, quick race results, good course markings all expected with these organizers. Especially giving kudos to the organizers with how quickly they had to pull together the race with WA Safe Start guidelines. It was only approved a couple of weeks ago, if I recall correctly.

The caveat here was, the drop bags didn’t get returned to the start line until after the HWY900 Squak Connector aid station cut-off at 2 PM (50k’ers) . That was silly because I was done at 12:30 and didn’t even use my drop bag. Luckily my neighbor grabbed it for me but I told one of the organizers to please hold it until I came into the city for work because frankly I was cold and ready to go nurse my ankle. Wasn’t really happy to walk back to the race start from my car for 1/2 an hour. It was also a 35 min drive to the aid station with my bag. Dustin apologized profusely but to be completely honest, I didn’t so much mind an excuse to hang out for a while. Would have probably just helped clean up if my ankle wasn’t being fussy.

Also another +1: They had event parking and everything all managed seamlessly. Runners got priority parking by the TH too. Well executed, indeed.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

Keith Laverty was there. He won. Some local elites come out for this one and no exceptions here. Good job, Keith!

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 not at all. This is usually a series of races throughout the summer and fall and it’s common enough that even the ONLY race happening this year didn’t fill up and day of registration was available.

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

Standard fare — Gatorade, Water and snacks ranging from fruit (nanners and oranges) to candy (M&Ms and Snickers, etc). I didn’t really stop to look too much this time around though.

Weather and typical race conditions

October in PNW: Check the weather and bring what looks necessary. Less is probably more for most in this distance. I didn’t take many pictures but in those I did take I was highlighting the presence of frost in the Start/Finish field. It’s cold and slick, and the slickness probably attributed to rolling my ankle.

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

Just have layers for temp and conditions and, if COVID / pandemics are still an issue, I’d recommend a replacement face covering (buff, mask or whatever) in the drop bag because they get disgusting and can be either too hot or too cold, depending.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yeah it’s wide open. Felt like a substantial portion of Seattle was visiting Cougar Mountain on this day.

How’s the Swag?

EXCELLENT. I got 2 cool stickers, a steel, race-branded bottle opener, an SRC drop bag and a branded beer cup. All things I have regular needs for 🙂

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

Overall, I’ll give it a 3.5 and I’m taking a full star for the lack of views, and taking half a star away because of the drop bag snafu haha. That said, I do recommend it for everyone. If you have any specific trail training goals, with distances ranging from 5k to 50k EVERYONE can come here and get a superb workout, the endurance long run they need or even just come enjoy a very energetic, hyper-local race.

This race is pretty classic. I don’t even know how many years it has been going on but it has a special place with many and for many different reasons.

Photo: Heather Gonzalez at bsd photagraphy

Photo: Heather Gonzalez at bsd photagraphy

Photo: Heather Gonzalez at bsd photagraphy

discovery park seattle

Disco Inferno – Running an Ultra in Discovery Park

Mike G is a runner with Team RunRun and after crushing his race at the Houston Marathon in early 2020, he decided he wanted to take on a different challenge: Cover as many miles as possible in Discovery Park in Seattle, WA, all unsupported, all within the park hours. The goal was 100 miles but the experience took on much more meaning than any time or mileage goal. This is a summary of his experience, the challenges he faced, and the emotions he went through.

We love this awesome sport and Mike’s challenge to himself, in light of the fact that “official” challenges of races are continually cancelled or moved, and it’s an inspiring example of why we can find gratitude in the fact that in the end, we still have running.

Check out his Strava route here, aka His Love Letter to Discovery Park.

Disco (in Latin): to learn; Inferno (in Latin): of the lower regions. Later became associated to something hellish and suffering.

If the running community were a gang, “Learn by suffering” would maybe be one of our collective tattoos. We have all suffered during a run and had to overcome it and when we have, it has made us better. This is why I took on running 100 miles unsupported at Discovery Park in Seattle or as the locals call it, Disco. I needed a hard reset and running a bunch of miles to my breaking point seemed like a good way to do that.

Discovery Park is Seattle’s largest park with 534 acres (2.16 km2) of land that consists of forests, beaches, prairies and bluffs. It contains 12 miles (19km) of trails which can be combined in many ways with my favorite being a roughly 4-mile loop that passes through all those different areas with about 500ft (152m) of elevation gain. My plan was to run this loop as much possible and then stick to the higher and flatter ground loops until I hit 100 miles. I chose to do it unsupported which has different meanings in the running world but I follow the FKT (fastest known time) rules of carrying everything you need from start to finish except water and not being accompanied unless you start and finish together.

Everything was awesome the first 6 loops. I was curious if repeating them would affect me but they didn’t. I never thought about them as loops, they just ‘were’, and every step was a new step. This might seem like a mindfulness feat but it was more from tiredness. The parks hours are 4am-11:30pm and I ended up using every minute of it. After 6 loops, the running on mixed surfaces of trails and pavement and the rolling hills with steep staircases had caught up to me. I stuck mostly to the higher ground trails from then on but my legs and feet were not happy.

After mile 37 I started taking breaks whether it was to watch seals in the water or the sunlight dance on the water with the majestic Olympic mountains in the background. It was magical. The focus during races is often running as fast as possible that such experiences are never fully realized. I knew I wasn’t going to make 100 miles anymore and I didn’t care. I had hit the reset button and felt hundreds of emotions overflow within. I was ready to give up several times during the low points but the love and support from you guys kept me going. The suffering eventually ebbed away to be replaced by an enormous love and gratitude. This coupled with the support felt from TRR carried me to the parks closure where I finished with 91 miles (146km) and 9,028ft (2752m) of elevation gain with nothing left in the tank.

I woke up the next day feeling freer and lighter than I had in a long time. Overcoming something we don’t think we can do is also learning something new about ourselves. We don’t need races to do this, just the will and maybe some disco inferno.

discovery park seattle
Credit: Torrin Maynard

discovery park seattle
Credit: Joe Mabel

interlaken icicle dash 10k race report

Interlaken Icicle Dash 10k Race Report – Jeff J

Race: Interlaken Icicle Dash 10k

Runner: Jeff J

Race Date: 02/01/2020

Location: Interlaken Park in Seattle

Results: 38 of 76

Strava Activity Link: https://strava.app.link/ok9XC0jKY3

interlaken icicle dash 10k race report

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

Didn’t rain! Cool people. Someone brought my jacket that I left at the last race!

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

I don’t like stairs!

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

Just happy I got through this one. I hadn’t tapered before it and wasn’t feeling great going into it.

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

Arrive early for parking.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Lots of hills and some stairs. Train accordingly!

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

During rain the downhill part can be a little nerve wracking in terms of traction. I’m pretty new to trail running though.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Beautiful.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Yes for me!

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?

Some really fast folks in it!

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.

All standard.

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

One aid station for each loop you do.

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

No special gear. Just trail shoes.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Not really.

How’s the Swag?

Good swag available to purchase.

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

4 of 5

Bridle Trails 50K Race Report

Bridle Trails 50K Race Report – Chase P

Race: Bridle Trails Winter Trail Running Festival – 50k

Bridle Trails 50K Race Report
Photo Credit: Takao Suzuki

Runner: Chase P

Race Date: 01/11/2020

Location: Kirkland, WA

Results: 4:55, 13th OA

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/3003313604

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

  • Loop Course – I know the park really well already…but over the course of running 6 laps you REALLY get to know the course. Since this was a training run for an upcoming 100k, it was super nice to be able to zone out and go on auto-pilot since no navigation was necessary.
    Finish Line Area – the chute is awesome. A nice and easy-to-read clock kept me on schedule. I could’ve stopped at the official aid station more, but opted for my own personal “aid station” by my backpack to save time. Did I mention they have *real* bathrooms at the finish line?
  • Half in light, half in dark – this helped break up the day, and was more like running two separate events. As much as I tried to fight it, the dark and heavy mud forced me to slow down. Luckily I only tripped once, and it was going uphill so I caught myself in stride and kept it moving.

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

Truly nothing. This was my first 50k in 2019, and I’m pumped to have returned even stronger in 2020. Might this be an annual tradition? I can at least come back for a 5mi loop next year.

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

Many distances/events at once – RUN YOUR OWN RACE and don’t worry about what others are doing or how fresh they look. You’re probably in a different event.

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

I went a little fast on the first two laps in order to buy time for the inevitable darkness. I timed it just right, with a little over 4 minutes to spare under my goal time. I’m insanely happy that I only grabbed two Oreos from the aid station during the race – kept on the nutrition plan otherwise!

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

The make-your-own-aid-station is a great tip. Check in to your OWN stuff, reset, start a new lap. Also – there is ALWAYS time to reapply Squirrel Nut Butter. ALWAYS. Don’t skip it.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

Please see SNB advice above.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

There are really only 3 big climbs on the course, and they are “runnable” depending on how shot you are. Know them, expect them, crank them out.

Weather and typical race conditions

Cold, muddy, dirty, slippery. Bring your best shoes – and don’t forget something clean to wear afterwards!

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

The finish line/checkpoint/aid-station area makes this an amazing race for spectators, especially first-timers who don’t know what to expect at these things.

How’s the Swag?

The medal was sweet!

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

10/10. Great event. Great course. Great evening. What’s not to love?

Bridle Trails 50K Race Report
Photo Credit: Takao Suzuki

Seattle Half Marathon Race Report – Rohit E

Race: Seattle Half Marathon 2019

Runner: Rohit E

Race Date: 12/01/2019

Location: Seattle

Results: https://www.athlinks.com/event/300868/results/Event/823220/Course/1450442/Bib/5278?source=internal

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/2904777210

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

Course was flatter than it had been in years past – which makes for better times but less picturesque course.

Weather held up and it was cool and dry.

Given the time of the year, there are fewer participants than at the Rock ‘n’ Roll in the summer, so it ends up being a little less crowded.

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

Aid stations were disorganized – water cups were empty when one got there. No gels / gu etc. at aid stations – are you kidding me?

Course was kinda boring.

7 am start really sucked.

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

I ran close to as hard as I felt like I could have with my current amount of training, so I was happy with that.

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

In years past, I’ve put a lot of effort into trying to pass people in the first couple of miles when people are packed in. This ultimately wastes a ton of energy and hurts overall time later on. I found a good rhythm this time around of passing people aggressively but not losing my cool if I got stuck behind slow runners, just conserved energy instead.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

For me, I can go very fast on downhills without hurting my knees etc. I found that many people would catch up to me on uphills but I would lose them easily on downhills and flats, so I’m pretty happy with my strategy of conserving energy on the uphills and making it up on flats and downhills. Even with the flatter course, there are a lot of opportunities for this in Seattle.

My shoes already had about 200 miles on them; slightly fresher shoes would have helped me a little I think.

Slightly overdressed for the race based on cold weather from Friday / Saturday; should have checked Sunday forecast more closely.

Aesthetics – Is the Seattle Half Marathon a pretty course?

Meh – the Seattle Half Marathon course is kinda boring, but the routes are ones that I run often, so I’m just used to it. Nicest part is the Aurora bridge but it’s also late race and a long gentle uphill, so I imagine most folks are not in the mood for looking at the scenery.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

Not really any more.

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

Aid stations weren’t great.

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.

Parking in downtown is actually not that hard, even street parking for free, and you can get in a nice run to the start line to get warmed up. This does involve a cold walk back to your car after the race, though. Parking closer to the start is possible but I imagine it’s pricey.

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

Lame – a lot of empty water cups, Gatorade / water not marked clearly, and no gels.

Weather and typical race conditions

It’s hit or miss in terms of weather. If it’s dry, this can be a cool and fast race; if it rains, much less fun.

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

Depends on weather

Spectators – Is the Seattle Half Marathon a friendly course for your friends?

Yes, very friendly for spectators.

How’s the Swag?

50th anniversary medal was nice.

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

3/5

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

Seattle Marathon Race Report – Jenny D

Jenny D reviews the Seattle Marathon course and race. Check out her tips for Mile 23 below!

Race: Seattle Marathon

Runner: Jenny D

Race Date: 12/01/2019

Location: Seattle, WA

Results: 3:54:49

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

1) The finish line is in the middle of a stadium, so you feel like a champion as you’re closing it out
2) Bridges in Seattle provide some incredible views of the city
3) Started and ended in downtown Seattle, which was really convenient to get to and leave from

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

My watch tracked 918 feet of elevation gain during the course, and a good portion of that came at mile 23!

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

There are a couple of squirrely turnarounds late in the race to make sure folks hit the right distance.

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

I was particularly proud of pacing evenly on this run, and not going out too hot. Everyone on the marathon course was encouraging, and a couple of run clubs made sure to high five every person running by.

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

Mile 23 is not a drill!! Right when you feel like you’re close to the end, you have to head up a steep hill, which you think is leveling out… but then you have to go another mile or so up a bridge.

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

If you’re able to run on the Burke-Gilman Trail ahead of the race, you can cover 50% of the course to have a better sense of when turns and hills are coming.

Aesthetics – Is the Seattle Marathon a pretty course?

Seattle is beautiful, and this course takes you to some pretty incredible vistas. Many of them are on bridges when you’re in the pain cave, but they are there!

Difficulty – Is the Seattle Marathon a tough course?

This is a bear of a course because of the elevation gain towards the end. The early parts of the race are very reasonable.

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

Each aid station seemed to have their system dialed in.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

My time put me in the top half of finishers, and the winning time was around 2:33. Overall, fairly competitive!

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 Marathon happen.

I booked far in advance (at least 5 months), but there were still spots available until the week before. Because it was the Sunday of Thanksgiving, the city was fairly quiet — so I assume there was availability for hotels as well!

Weather and typical race conditions

Seattle in December is unpredictable, and we lucked out with weather in the high 30s and no rain until very late in the race.

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

With unpredictable weather, you need to be prepared for snow, rain, and wind. I wore a buff over my ears the whole race, which kept my ears warm but also allowed them to breathe.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

This is a great course for friends to spectate, but sadly there weren’t many people out.

How’s the Swag?

There were some cool new protein bars and drinks included in the race kit that I really enjoyed! Birthday cake flavored bars were surprisingly tasty.

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

I ran this because it was so close to home — and probably wouldn’t recommend it to folks who don’t live nearby. It’s a hard course, and there are probably others at a better time of year with less elevation gain.

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

iron horse half marathon race report

Iron Horse Half Marathon Race Report – Matt P

Race: Iron Horse Half Marathon

Runner: Matt P

Race Date: 08/25/2019

Location: North Bend, WA

Results: 1:48:44

Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/2651176395

iron horse half marathon race report

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

  1. Local (for me!)
  2. Gradual Downhill Grade
  3. Orcas Running brings the community out in force – lots of swag and places to stop by after race, including barbecue.

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

They ran out of finisher shirts that fit me (medium/large) and my stomach acted up about 10.5 miles in, but that’s not really the race’s fault.

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

It’s not really weird at all.

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

I paced pretty well and enjoyed moving downhill. I moved steadily until my stomach acted up, and conserved energy so that I could open up had my stomach not hurt me. I really enjoyed the community and a variety of runners on the course.

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

They don’t care about the wave times but put the fast people up front in corral 1. And if you do same-day packet pickup you don’t know which wave you are. Luckily you can start with any wave ultimately.

Lessons you learned that will help you next time around

The course is fast so be prepared to be moving faster than usual and make sure body can take that pace for a sustained period of time.

Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race

It’s downhill on gravel/railroad regrade; Brooks Adrenaline shoes were fine but many had trail runners on. When you come out of Rattlesnake Lake’s basin, there is a slight shift from moderate downhill to very gradual uphill, and I noticed it slowed a lot of runners down, but I maintained pace through this section and must have passed 250-500 runners in the section from the lake down the Snoqualmie Valley Trail onto Hwy 202.

Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?

Gorgeous run through Snoqualmie Valley along Mt. Washington, Cedar Butte and Rattlesnake Mountain. Not a lot of high mountain views but foresty and pleasant all the same.

Difficulty – Is it a tough course?

The course is very easy.

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

Extremely well run by Orca Running.

Competition – Is there a strong field?

There were some pretty fast folks out there, this series is popular with I think some 2k participants.

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 signed up 2 days before but the race DID SELL OUT.

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

Standard Fare — water/electrolyte at every station with Gel Shots and Bloks past mile 6.

Weather and typical race conditions

Could have been warm but was chilly with little sun until late morning.

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

Nope.

Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?

Yep.

How’s the Swag?

Had I gotten the shirt I’d be happier, but the medal is cool and I did pick up a new trucker hat. All of Orcas wares are available at most of their races.

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

5 stars – fun, easy, downhill HM course on which a PR would likely be easier than a normal more flat race.