Sunday, September 19, 2021 • Sandpoint, ID • Course Map
Note: The 2021 race has been cancelled.
Runners get ample exposure to one of the natural features that makes the Sandpoint area such a mecca for tourists at the annual late-summer Scenic Half, which takes runners on an out-and-back route that crosses the bridge over Lake Pend Orielle, a pristine, 43-mile-long lake carved by glaciers, whose shoreline wraps for more than 100 miles along the Kaniksu National Forest here in Northern Idaho.
The race’s half marathon, like the 10K, starts on Sandpoint’s City Beach, which lies at the end of the island just across the waterway from the city’s downtown. From there, runners follow Bridge Street to 1st Avenue, where they follow the bike path and then head to the Long Bridge that crosses the lake.
They follow the highway over the bridge, passing through Triangle Park, all the way to the half-way turnaround point on Lakeshore Road, on the southern side of the lake.
From there, runners then head back along Lakeshore Road and re-join Highway 95 that leads to the Long Bridge and then head back over the lake to Sandpoint City Beach, along the course they’ve just run, back to the finish line.
With the exception of a brief stretch of bike paths in the early part of the race, most of the rest of the course is run on paved surfaces.
The half marathon’s most significant uphill and downhill stretches occur around the midpoint of the race, as runners are heading toward the school on Highway 95 between mile markers 4 and 6, and then on the return route between miles 7 and 9.
Race Weather & Climate
Located near the base of northern Idaho’s Selkirk Mountains, just 60 miles from the Canadian border in the Idaho panhandle region, Sandpoint usually sees some of its driest weather of the year during the month the race is held.
- Sept. 19 average low temp: 42ºF
- Sept. 19 average high temp: 72ºF
Course Map
See the race route map for the Scenic Half Marathon here.
Starting Time
- 8:00 AM – half marathon
- 8:15 AM – 10K
Course Time Limit
4 hours
Fees
see event website
Registration
To reserve your spot in the 2021 running of Sandpoint’s Scenic Half Marathon, 10K or 5K race, visit the event website below.
Official Race Website
Comments
Ever run in the Scenic Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.
