Saturday, March 28, 2020 • Olympia, WA • Course Map
Runners should expect what organizers say will be a “mud bath” at the late winter/early spring running of Olympia’s Mountain Marathon & Hillbilly Half Marathon, a 26.2- and 13.1-mile trek through the technical trails and woods of Washington’s Capitol State Forest, a 91,600-acre forest that lies just five miles from the urban streets and neighborhoods of nearby Olympia.
Set for its 10th annual running this year, the race will take runners in both events on an out-and-back route that starts and finishes at the parking lot near the Rock Candy Trailhead inside the forest, just off Highway 8 along Rock Candy Mountain Road.
From there, runners in both events follow the same trail — those running in the full marathon start at 7:30 AM, followed by those running the half marathon at 8:30 AM — southward through the forest and up into the mountains, in the direction of Rock Candy Mountain, just south of Summit Lake.
Once runners reach approximately the 6.55-mile point in the race, those running the half then make the turnaround and head back along the route they’ve just run back to the parking lot for the race finish.
The course itself, organizers add, will offer gorgeous views of the hills and mountains all around as runners tromp through the trails — which will be filled with muddy spots, they add, as this time of year brings plenty of wet weather — of this park that sees an average of more than 800,000 visitors each year.
Hikers, campers, horseback riders, hunters, and off-road vehicle drivers make it a popular attraction year-round.
The race is part of the locally-based Guerilla Running Club’s Capitol Forest Trail Race Triple Crown series of running events. Organizers add also that because the race is held in March, snow is always a possibility — so be prepared for cold & slushy terrain!
Race Weather & Climate
Located near the southern tip of Budd Inlet here in western Washington state, just over 60 miles southwest of Seattle, Olympia typically sees mild to cool and sometimes quite cold conditions in March, which averages between 35°F and 54°F.
On the day of the race (March 28), the average low is 36°F and the average high is 56°F.
Past Results
- 2016 Hillbilly Half Marathon Results
- 2015 Hillbilly Half Marathon Results
- 2014 Hillbilly Half Marathon Results
- 2013 Hillbilly Half Marathon Results
- 2012 Hillbilly Half Marathon Results
- 2011 Hillbilly Half Marathon Results
Course Map
See the race route map for the Hillbilly Half Marathon here.
Starting Time
- 7:30 AM – full marathon
- 8:30 AM – half marathon
Fees
- $50 for the half marathon
- $60 for the full marathon
- price subject to increase as race day approaches
Registration
To reserve your spot in the 2020 running of Olympia’s Mountain Marathon or Hillbilly Half Marathon, register online at Active.com here.
Official Race Website
Facebook Conversations
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