Top 5 Reasons To Do The Capital City Marathon

The all-volunteer-run Capital City Marathon, now in its 39th year, is one of the most well-regarded, best-supported road race events in the Pacific Northwest and includes a marathon, half marathon, 5-mile run and 1.2-mile kids run. The marathon course yields a high percentage of Boston Qualifiers and attracts long-distance veterans, novice runners and everyone in between. Along with its rolling hills, CCM is known for its beauty – taking runners through Olympia’s vibrant downtown and friendly neighborhoods, to the shores of Budd Inlet, past rural landscapes, and by the majestic architecture of the state Capitol Campus – and its place in running history. Joan Benoit put Olympia on the map when she ran part of the current course in 1984, on her way to winning the first women’s Olympic Marathon Trials.

 

Top 5 reasons CCM should be on your bucket list:

  1. Stunning course. “One of the prettiest courses I’ve ever run. Town, forest, fields, neighborhoods, a high bridge, and even the state Capitol.”
  2. Super cool swag. “CCM has the best bling – shirts, hats, sweatpants, jackets, medals …”
  3. Float to the finish. “The last mile is unbelievable, with the wonderful downhill past the Capitol and down the middle of the road to the crowds near the finish. You can really think of it as a 25.2-mile race, with an extra celebratory mile.”
  4. Festive post-race celebration. “The finish area is fantastic: food, massages, music, photos ops … and if that weren’t enough, beer!”
  5. Goldilocks-approved. “It’s just the right size. You won’t be packed in like cattle, but you won’t get terribly lonely either.”

Register today for the May 17 marathon, half-marathon or 5-mile race. Kids in the eighth grade and younger may participate in a free 1.2-mile Kids Run the day before. http://www.capitalcitymarathon.org/registration.html