Saturday, June 24, 2023 • Carnation, WA • Course Map
Get ready for an out-and-back route along scenic riverside trails at the Snoqualmie Valley Half, which unfolds here in this small town — Carnation is just 1.1 square miles in size and home to just over 1,700 souls — framed by the foothills of the Cascade Mountains as well as the waters of the Snoqualmie and Tolt Rivers, which meet just to the southwest of the city limits.
Start and finish in Tolt MacDonald Park. The race follows an out-and-back course that starts in King County’s Tolt MacDonald Park, a 574-acre park whose southern end lies at the confluence of the two rivers and where you’ll find a scenic 500-ft. suspension bridge across the river, which park officials say offers stunning views of both the rivers and the Cascades in the distance.
From there, you’ll make your way through the southern part of the park as you head toward the Tolt River. You’ll run on the scenic connector trail alongside the Tolt until you get past the mile 1 marker, and then you’ll make your way south over the Tolt and onto the Snoqualmie Valley Trail, a 32-mile-long former railroad that’s been converted into a running, walking and cycling trail.
The trail runs roughly in parallel with the Snoqualmie River for the next few miles — though not closely alongside it in this stretch — until you reach the halfway turnaround point, when you’ve almost reached Fall City and the Fall City Community Park.
Along the way, you’ll run through forests for several miles, including a stretch through the Griffin Creek Natural Area, before making your way back up to Tolt MacDonald Park for the race finish — once you make the turn, you’ll retrace your steps all the way back to Carnation and finish back where you started.
Race supports the Snoqualmie Valley Community Network. Organizers say 100% of the donations they receive will go to the Snoqualmie Valley Community Network, which promotes health and wellness programs for youth ages 4-12 in the local area.
All photos courtesy Orca Running
Race Weather & Climate
Nestled along the confluence of the Tolt and Snoqualmie Rivers in northwest Washington state, just over a half-hour drive east from Seattle, Carnation typically sees some of its warmest and driest weather of the year in June, when temperatures average between the upper 50s and the upper 70s.
- June 24 average low temp: 58ºF
- June 24 average high temp: 78ºF
Course Map
See the race route map for the Snoqualmie Valley Half Marathon here.
Starting Time
- 8:30 AM – half marathon
- 9:00 AM – 10K
Course Time Limit
4 1/2 hours
Fees
- $69 – $87 for the half marathon
- $49 – $69 for the 10K
Registration
To reserve your spot in the 2023 running of Carnation’s Snoqualmie Valley Half Marathon or 10K race, register online at RunSignUp.com here.
Register at RunSignUpOfficial Race Website
Comments
Ever run in the Snoqualmie Valley Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, as well as anything you learned about the race that you think other runners/walkers should know.
