The variety of half marathons run in Washington will keep you coming back year after year. Below are some of the best half marathons in Washington as rated by runners of the events.
Bellingham Bay Half Marathon – Bellingham
The Bellingham Bay Half Marathon offers a scenic point to point course and a festival at the finish line which includes live music, food, and a beer garden. The half marathon is usually held in September so you can expect mild to warm temperatures. Click here to read more about the Bellingham Bay Half Marathon.
The Course
This course starts and finishes in downtown Bellingham. The start of the course takes a different route to the full marathon, making the half marathon less congested and enjoyable. The course is hilly and scenic with views of beautiful Bellingham Bay. The course has plentiful water, restroom and aid stations along the course.
Image Source: Bellingham Bay Marathon
Reviews
“Awesome scenery, spectators, and food! Very well organized. Great shirts and I like that NW artist designed medals! Put it all together and it makes for an awesome experience! Starting and Ending at Boundary Bay Brewery doesn’t hurt either!” – Nick Lejarcegui, Bellingham Bay Marathon Facebook Page
“The Bellingham Bay half marathon was good and the scenic course made me keep motivated to keep me moving while I was just tired after running the day before.” – Ed. L., Yelp Review
Seattle Half Marathon – Seattle
Starting in 1970, the Seattle Half Marathon has grown into one of the ten largest marathons in the US. The half marathon is open to walkers, runners, wheelchair, and hank crank participants. The half marathon is held in November so you can expect cooler temperatures, with potentially freezing conditions early in the morning. Click here to read more about the Seattle Half Marathon.
The Course
The course is a bit hilly but offers scenic views of Downtown Seattle and Lake Washington. The course is fully paved and travels through downtown Seattle, for the most part following the course of the full marathon. The half marathon has 10 aid stations and several designated cheer squad locations.
Image Source: Seattle Marathon
Reviews
“I’ve lived in Seattle since 1999. I just tried the Seattle Marathon half the first time this year.I am a fan of this race because this is such a beautiful and challenging course for both full and half. I hit every single water station along the course. There’s a great group support of volunteers. I really appreciated their time and support. The course is challenging and there are a lot of rolling hills. I guess, this is what makes this race a great race.” – Melody P. Yelp Review
“My wife and I came to Seattle to run the half and are very glad we did. The course was great with a nice mix of city and groomed trail type running. The organization was great and the expo far exceeded our expectations. The course lacked spectators but the volunteers were great.”– J.W., Marathonguide.com Review
Whidbey Island Half Marathon – Oak Harbor
This vacation spot is home to one of the 13 Bakers Dozen Marathon’s which raise much needed funds for local charities, children’s programs, high school programs and health and fitness encouragement. The Whidbey Island Half Marathon is usually held in April meaning typically sunny and mild days. Click here to read more about the Whidbey Island Half Marathon.
The Course
The course starts at Oak Harbor and winds its way past the outskirts of the town, along the waterfront and ends with a celebration in the Windjammer Park. The greatest elevation change is 220 ft at the 2.5 mile mark making for a hilly start and finish to the race. The half marathon offers free shuttle buses from the nearby parking lot to the start line, and water and porta-potty stations every 1 ½-2 miles on the course.
Image Source: Whidbey Island Marathon
Reviews
“My very first half marathon and I loved it! Awesomely good weather combined with incredible views make this a must do.” – Skip LeMay, Whidbey Island Marathon Facebook Page
“Great, small race. Well run, beautiful scenery, GREAT volunteers. Oak Harbor was very hospitable. Nice medal & shirt.” – D. H., Marathonguide.com Review
Wentachee Half Marathon – Wenatchee
The Wenatchee Half Marathon is organized by TedDriven which supports cancer research and other local charities. TedDriven donates most of the proceeds from the marathon to the cancer biology lab at the University of Pennsylvania. The half marathon is typically held in April so you can expect warm, sometimes hot temperatures. Click here to read more about the Wentachee Half Marathon.
The Course
The course is centered on the Columbia River and is a turnaround course. Starting and finishing in the same location, the course follows the river, crossing the Wenatchee River footbridge and Odabashian Bridge, before continuing for a distance along the river to then turnaround. The course has water and aid stations every 2 miles along the course.
Image Source: Wentachee Half Marathon
Reviews
“I chose this race for my spring marathon this year, as the reviews were great and the course looked beautiful. It really was – great views of the mountains and river throughout!” – J.A., Marathonguide.com Review
“The weather was perfect started out in the mid 40s and finished in the high 50s. You could feel a bit of a breeze when you crossed the Columbia River and headed north on the far side of the course, but the wind was a non-factor. The trail is paved and in perfect condition flat, no camber, no raised roots.” – C.F., Marathonguide.com Review
Tacoma Half Marathon – Tacoma
The Tacoma City Half Marathon is a charity partner with Wear Blue: Run to Remember, a national not-for-profit running community that honors the service and sacrifice of the American Military. The half marathon is held in May so you can expect mild to warm temperatures. Click here to read more about the Tacoma Half Marathon.
The Course
This point to point course starts at the Tacoma Narrows Airport (on the live runway!) and heads over Narrows Bridge, through the township, and along the Commencement Bay waterfront. The course offers an overall decrease in elevation with a peak incline of about 200 ft at the 3 mile mark. The course time limit is 6 hours.
Image Source: Tacoma City Marathon
Reviews
“We had a chilly morning for the start and no place warm to wait, but there were lots of porta potties and there was never a long line! The course was more challenging than I anticipated, but yet it was very scenic. Even though there weren’t a lot of spectators for much of it, the ones out in the neighborhoods were awesome and encouraging.” – Judy Mink., Marathonguide.com Review
“I wanted to give a shout out to all the fabulous volunteers and the Tacoma PD for being so awesome on Sunday! The volunteers were at the ready and the aid stations were well stocked-thank you for being out there all day!” – Angela Kuzior, Tacoma City Marathon Facebook Page
Capital City Half Marathon – Olympia
The Capital City Marathon Organization is a not-for-profit that has been running for 35 years and has established the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound. The foundation is committed to supporting local groups to promote healthy activities. The half marathon is only open to runners and typically has 1,400 participants. The event is usually held in May so you can expect mild to warm temperatures. Click here to read more about the Capital City Half Marathon.
The Course
The course starts and finishes at Sylvester Park and winds its way along paved, tree lined roadways with views of Capitol Campus and Capitol Lake. The course is relatively hilly with a 100 ft incline between miles 2 and 5.
Image Source: Capital City Marathon
Reviews
“This was the best supported Half Marathon I’ve ever run, with support stations stocked with electrolytes and water every 2 miles! For once, I didn’t have to run carrying my own bottle! And they had GU blocks at Mile 6- yay! Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers!” – Andrea B., The Capital City Half Marathon Facebook Page
“I enjoyed this run, it takes you through the city first and out to the Eastside with lots of nice views overlooking water, looking at mountains, around very nice neighhborhoods and up some challenging and fun hills. The race food and SWAG was the best I have ever had” – E.B., Marathonguide.com Review
Skagit Flats Half Marathon – Burlington
The Skagit Flats Half Marathon offers one of the flattest half marathon’s in all of Washington State. This is a charity event with a portion of the proceeds being donated to local high school sporting programs and Skagit Search and Rescue. The half marathon is typically held in September so you can expect mild temperatures. Click here to read more about the Skagit Flats Half Marathon.
The Course
This is a fast and flat course ideal for beating your personal best time. The course is primarily rural and transects through the Skagit Valley. Starting at the Burlington Edison High School, the half marathon travels along rural but paved roadways and is a turnaround course which finishes back at the high school. The half marathon course follows the same path of the full marathon course but with an earlier turnaround position.
Image Source: Skagit Flats Marathon
Reviews
“This was my first 1/2 Marathon. I had a great time and the organization in this race made that all possible. First off, there were lots of drink stations throughout the race. This gave plenty of opportunity to drink water and get some energy gel at the 1/2 marathon turn. There were lots of volunteers at each water station. The course was well marked, and although the race is run on open streets, they did a good job of directing traffic around the runners.” – Ryan Anderson, Marathonguide.com Review
“Incredible event from start to finish. A special thank you to all the volunteers who kept us fueled and hydrated and especially the incredible lead female cyclist in the marathon. I will recommend your event to all of my friends!” – Shauna Rosey, Skagit Flats Marathon and Half Marathon Facebook Page
Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Half Marathon – Seattle
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Half Marathon is just one of the races in the Rock ‘n’ Roll series with over 30 cities participating annually. The half marathon offers live bands and a party like atmosphere from start to finish, with post-race festivities and concert at the finish line. The half marathon is typically held in June so you can expect mild to warm temperatures. Click here to read more about the Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Half Marathon.
Image Source: The Running Adventures of Michael Lam
The Course
The course meanders through downtown Seattle on paved roadways, highways and tunnels, with scenic views of Lake Washington. The course offers hilly and very flat variability with an extremely challenging peak at the 11 mile mark; a 195 ft rise over less than half a mile. The half marathon course has a time limit of 6 hours.
Image Source: Rock’n’Roll Seattle Marathon
Reviews
“I was not disappointed in anyway with this race. It remains a 5 star for me although I didn’t PR on the course this time around, which was solely on my part. I loved the bands and cheerleaders, plenty of water and Gatorade stations (although I don’t use them), excellent pacers, amazing runners.What’s not to love?!?! I can’t find a single thing. I highly recommend this race.It’s one of the most excellent ways to celebrate the first day of summer and I love that it’s on a Saturday (ummm hello! RnR must be rollin in the dough to afford Saturday street closures 😉 Run it! If you’re disappointed find me after and I’ll buy you a few rounds.” – Candace L., Yelp Review
“Even though the weather was pretty cold (mid 20s) for this run, I finds that it was easier for me to accomplish over the Rock n Roll Half. The great long hill seems endless. I suppose the cold weather helps a bit with running up the “hill”. The rest of the run paths was great!” – Mai Luc, Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Marathon & ½ Marathon Facebook Page