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First Timer's Guide
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Washington > Kirkland Half Marathon & 5K
Kirkland, WA • Sunday, May 12, 2013 • Course Map
More than 1,800 runners and walkers came out and crossed the finish line at the late spring 2012 running of Washington's Kirkland Half Marathon & 5K -- including just over 900 runners in the half marathon alone -- both of which are open to runners and walkers and take participants on a tour of the boroughs of this waterfront city that lies in the northwestern part of the state, just a short drive from nearby Seattle.
Both races in the event follow an out-and-back course that starts and finishes at the city's Juanita Beach Park, which overlooks the waters of Juanita Bay just north of Kirkland's downtown district. From there, runners in the half marathon follow a clockwise loop route through the city, which takes them first northward and eastward into the Juanita and South Juanita neighborhoods of the city.
As the first half of the race unfolds, runners make their way along what is essentially a series of hills from the starting line at Juanita Beach to just past the mid-way point of the race, as runners are passing along the northern edge of Kirkland's City Park and Bridle Trails State Park, a 482-acre park thick with forested trails and known for its horse trails and equestrian facilities, and which lies just a short distance from the Microsoft campus in nearby Redmond.
Once runners make their way past the park, the race route then begins its descent from its peak elevation around the mile 7 marker, and runners experience the race's steepest downhill stretch between miles 7 and 9. After runners pass the mile 9 marker, the course is mostly flat on the way in to the finish line, though runners can expect some smaller hills between miles 11 and 12 as they run the stretch along the shore through downtown.
It's this stretch of the race that's really the reward, as runners enjoy the breezes coming off the lake and the views of the water after the challenging hills earlier out on the course. The final mile of the race takes runners around the curve of Juanita Bay, one of the region's best-cared-for urban wildlife preserves, and then back to the finish line at the park.
Race Weather & Climate
Nestled along the shoreline of Lake Washington, just over a 12-mile drive by car from nearby Seattle, Kirkland typically experiences mild to moderately cool (and occasionally still cold) conditions in the late spring.
In May, the city's average monthly temperatures range between 64°F and 48°F, while precipitation totals average just over 2.1 inches for the month. On the day of the race (May 12), the average high is 64°F and the average low is 47°F.
Course Map
View the map for the Kirkland Half Marathon
Fees
$45 for the half marathon, if registered by December 31, 2012
$55 between January 1 - February 12
$65 between Feb. 13 - May 11
Registration
To reserve your spot in the late spring 2013 running of the Kirkland Half Marathon or 5K race, register online at GetMeRegistered.com.
Official Race Website
www.promotionevents.com
Leave a Comment
Ever run in Washington's annual Kirkland Half Marathon? Share your impressions, stories and tips from the event.
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