Why the Capital City Marathon is a Must-Do
The Capital City Marathon is one of the most well-regarded, best-supported road race events in the Pacific Northwest. The all-volunteer event, now in its 37th year, includes a marathon, half marathon, and 5-mile run on Sunday, May 20, and a free 1.2-mile kids run on Saturday, May 19. The marathon is a great Boston Qualifier, attracting long-distance veterans, novice runners and everyone in between. CCM is known for its rolling hills and beauty – taking runners through downtown Olympia and friendly neighborhoods, to the shores of Budd Inlet, past rural landscapes, and by the majestic architecture of the state Capitol Campus. Joan Benoit put Olympia on the map when she ran part of the current course on her way to winning the first women’s Olympic Marathon Trials in 1984. This year, CCM welcomes back former Olympian Jeff Galloway and is once again a part of the Salish Sea Road Race Series.
Why CCM participants call this a “must-do” event that stands out from other races:
- Volunteers go the extra mile. “THE gold standard for how to put on an event.”
- A beautiful course where history was made. “Running across Henderson Inlet feels like it’s just me, the herons and sometimes the eagles and otters. And when you get back into town, you cross the footsteps of Joan Benoit, on her way to winning the first U.S. Women’s Olympic Marathon Trial.”
- Spectators can follow you around the course. “The course is spectator-friendly so it’s easy for family and friends to meet you at various places” all over the course.
- Pacers who live and train on the course. “The pace team has vast experience and is awesome to run with.”
- CCM supports up-and-coming runners. This 100 percent volunteer effort “returns all of its support to local high school cross country teams whose members will be the next generation of distance runners.”
Register today for the May 20 marathon, half-marathon or 5-mile race. Kids in the eighth grade and younger may participate in a free 1.2-mile Kids Run May 19. http://www.capitalcitymarathon.org/registration.html