Challenge yourself this year by adding the Salish Road Race Series to your race schedule. This unique series offers rewards for participants who finish three of the following four events: Whidbey Island Marathon, Capital City Marathon, North Olympic Discovery Marathon and Bellingham Bay Marathon.
Not only will entrants receive a 15% discount when registering for more than one of these races, but participants who cross the finish line of three out the four events will receive a commemorative medal, as well as Salish Sea Road Race Series swag. Runners who finish three of these events will automatically be entered.
The Whidbey Island Marathon, taking place Sunday, April 22, features a marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K and 1K kids’ run. The events take place in Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island and is the only running race to close and run across the famed Deception Pass Bridge. All courses offer breath-taking views of the Puget Sound along with tranquil farmland, mountain and ocean views. For more information and to register, visit runwhidbey.com.
On Sunday, May 20, the Capital City Marathon course is made up of rolling hills, supported by over 500 volunteers, and passes through downtown Olympia and along the shores of Budd Inlet. Races include a marathon, half marathon and 5-mile race, along with a free 1-mile kids run on Saturday, May 19. The Capital City Marathon is the oldest in the South Sound, and a Boston qualifier. Take in the rural landscape of Boston Harbor and South Bay, as well as the friendly local neighborhoods and the majestic architecture on the Capitol Campus. Visit capitalcitymarathon.org to register or find out more.
The North Olympic Discovery Marathon takes place on Sunday, June 3, on the Olympic Discovery Trail between Sequim and Port Angeles, WA. The course features stunning views of the Olympic Mountains, and a 5-mile finish along the Strait of Juan de Fuca (the waterway separating the U.S. from Canada). Voted “Most Scenic Course” in 2015 by Northwest Runner Magazine, this marathon should be on everyone’s bucket list. Events include marathon, marathon walk, marathon relay, half marathon, 10K and 5K, and are all run point-to-point. To sign up, visit nodm.com.
Beginning on the Lummi Nation reservation, the Bellingham Bay Marathon finishes in downtown Bellingham. Hundreds of volunteers help support the course and finish area, with the half marathon, 10K and 5K all starting and finishing in downtown Bellingham. Each race course includes beautiful views of Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascade Mountains. For more information or to register, visit bellinghambaymarathon.org.
The Salish Sea Road Race Series provides the best road running (and walking) experiences Western Washington has to offer. If you’ve already got plans to run these favorite marathons in Washington, the Series is an additional incentive to reach the finish line and a great reason to start training.