Great Ferry Race Half Marathon

You’ll start the race by boarding the ferry in downtown Seattle, and then riding across Puget Sound for roughly 35 minutes, taking in the beauty of the water and the stunning peaks in all directions.

Once you make it to Bainbridge Island, you’ll get off the ferry at the terminal and walk onto the island, starting the race on Waterfront Trail. That will lead to stretches through the city and a long stretch along Madison Avenue, which will take you up to New Brooklyn Road and then west, further into the island’s interior.

Along the way, you’ll get to take in the views of this picture-perfect island, running through or past a few local parks like Grand Forest East and Grand Forest West, with gentle rolling hills throughout. Organizers note there’s about 1,400 feet of overall elevation gain throughout the race’s 13.1 miles, so come prepared for hills.

The course features about two-thirds paved roads and one-third trail, as you’ll head off-road in stretches, especially just past the half-way point of the race in Battle Point Park.

Once you make the loop around Battle Point Park, you’ll start heading back into the city of Bainbridge Island, back where you began, and then cross the finish line in front of the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum.