Sunday, October 11, 2015 • Poulsbo, WA • Course Map
Set for its 6th annual running in mid-October 2015, after a 2014 race that saw just over 400 runners cross the finish line in all three races combined, the Poulso Marathon, Half Marathon & Lutefisk 10K takes runners on an out-and-back loop route that offers up plenty of hills as well as gorgeous scenery, as much of the second half of the race unfolds along the shoreline of Liberty Bay.
The race is designed as a fundraiser and benefit for the locally based North Kitsap Trails Association in its mission to develop a system of nature trails for walking, running, biking and horseback riding that connects the communities here in what is known as the North Kitsap region of northwest Washington state. Runners will start and finish the race at North Kitsap High School, near the intersection of Hostmark Street and Coldart Avenue.
From there, the course takes them first on a loop around the school’s campus, east along Hostmark and north along Noll Road, followed by a left onto Mesford Street and then another left back onto Coldart, which brings runners past the school and the starting line again before turning them onto Hostmark for a second time, where they’ll run to the right turn onto Noll Avenue and follow Noll southward toward the bay.
The course makes a big downhill descent as runners head south along Noll Avenue over the next couple of miles, and then remains flat with numerous rolling hills as runners make their way around the small peninsula that sticks out into the bay between mile markers 4 and 5. For much of the rest of the way, as runners head northwest into the city of Poulsbo, the course keeps runners along the shores of Liberty Bay.
There’s a brief stretch as runners are heading north through downtown Poulsbo, along Jensen Way, that they leave the waterfront and head through the city and the neighborhoods just north of it. But they return to the waterfront with a stretch along Poulsbo’s scenic Front Street, and then back to the trails that wind alongside the bay.
About halfway between the mile 8 and mile 9 markers, runners return to the route they ran earlier and retrace their steps in reverse, heading all the way back to the high school where the race finish line lies.
While the full marathon is open to runners only, both the half marathon and the 10K races are open to both runners and walkers.
Race Weather & Climate
Located just across Puget Sound from downtown Seattle in northwest Washington state, Poulsbo typically sees cool to mild weather in October, which brings the city’s second-wettest month of the year and has brought record temperatures here as low as 27°F (in 2006) and as high as 86°F (in 1987).
On race day (Oct. 11), the average low is 45ºF and the average high is 62ºF.
Past Results
- 2014 Poulsbo Half Marathon Results
- 2013 Poulsbo Half Marathon Results
- 2012 Poulsbo Half Marathon Results
Course Map
See the race route map for the Poulsbo Half Marathon here.
Starting Time
7:30 AM
Fees
- $55, if registered between April 2- July 11
- $65, if registered between July 12- September 11
- $80, if registered between September 12- October 11
Registration
To reserve your spot in the 2015 running of the Poulsbo Half Marathon, register online at databarevents.com here.
Official Race Website
Facebook Conversations
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