|
|
|
First Timer's Guide
Race Calendars
Training Plans
|
|
Washington > Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon & Half Marathon
Seattle, WA • Sunday, November 25, 2012 • Course Map
One of the Pacific Northwest's biggest big-city marathon and half marathon events, the Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K drew a field of nearly 15,000 runners and walkers for its 26.2- and 13.1-mile events at its late November 2011 running, including more than 8,200 finishers in the half marathon alone.
Run each year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, this event takes participants on a course through Seattle's city streets in the shadow of the famed Space Needle and features beautiful views along the course of nearby Lake Washington and Lake Union, as well as an elevation profile that alternates between moderately hilly and long, flat stretches.
Runners and walkers in both the full and half marathons start the race downtown at the Seattle Center, just a few blocks away from Elliot Bay to the north and Lake Union to the east. From there, runners head out on a counter-clockwise out-and-back loop through the city, hitting some rolling hills in the first few miles along 5th Avenue. The course passes by Qwest Field and Safeco Field, the home stadiums of Seattle's Seahawks of the NFL and Mariners of Major League Baseball, before turning onto the Interstate 90 Expressway as the course turns east toward Lake Washington.
At the intersection of I-90 and Lake Washington Boulevard, which runs along the lakeshore, those running the full marathon split off and continue straight across the bridge to Mercer Island, while those running the half make a left turn onto Lake Washington Boulevard. This stretch of the race is among both its flattest and most scenic stretches, as runners can see sailboats streaming along the water as they pass by a number of the city's urban parks, including Leschi Park and Madrona Park.
The run along the lakeshore lasts for about two miles, after which runners and walkers enter the Broadmoor area of the city, turning onto Madison Street and then into the Washington Park Arboretum. This stretch of the race features winding twists and turns through both Washington Park and then Interlaken Park, a 51-acre densely wooded city park filled with hiking, biking and walking trails. After the run through these parks, runners head back onto more urban terrain as they hit the stretch of the course that parallels Interstate 5, along Boylston Avenue and Lakeview Boulevard.
The final two miles of the race unfold just a few blocks away from the shores of Lake Union, as runners head along Eastlake Avenue and Harrison Street back toward the finish line on the northeast side of the Seattle Center at 4th Avenue, at the entrance to Memorial Stadium.
After completing the race and collecting their medals, runners and walkers can enjoy a shower or get any medical attention needed at the race's "Victory Recovery Center" in the Seattle Center's exhibition hall.
Race Weather & Climate
Famous for its reputation as one of the nation's rainiest cities, Seattle lives up to that reputation with its early fall weather, as November is the city's wettest month with nearly 5.7 inches of average precipitation. Area temperatures can get quite chilly in November, as the city's average monthly temperatures range between 52°F and 40°F during the month. On the day of the race (Nov. 25), the average high is 49°F and the average low is 39°F.
Course Map
View the race route map for the Seattle Half Marathon
Fees
$70 for the half marathon, if registered by May 31, 2012
Registration
To reserve your spot in the Thanksgiving weekend 2012 running of Seattle's Amica Insurance Seattle Marathon or Half Marathon, register online at the event website.
Official Race Website
www.seattlemarathon.org
Leave a Comment
Ever run in any of Washington's annual Amica Seattle Marathon or Half Marathon? Share your impressions, stories and tips from the event.
|
|
|
