Marathons and their younger siblings, the half marathon, seem to be taking the place of the 10k’s of yesteryear. As runners and walkers step up their fitness levels, race directors have responded with a plethora of events.
Seattle’s best new event of the year, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle marathon June 27 promises over 15,000 runners and walkers a taste of rock ‘n’ roll fever nearly every mile along the course. The race starts in the city of Tukwila and winds north to Seattle, finishing just outside of Qwest Field. All registered participants and race volunteers receive a free ticket to an evening post-race concert at Marymoor Park on race night. Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle replaces the former Seafair Marathon.
The Eugene Marathon May 3 will include a marathon, half-marathon, 5k and kids’ marathon. Held in “Track Town USA,” the longer courses are flat and fast, winding by numerous parks and miles of riverfront trails. Recognized by Runner’s World as one of their Top 10 Greenest Races, volunteers and sponsors divert loads of waste and take big strides to keeping Oregon green.
A Boston Marathon qualifier, the North Olympic Discovery Marathon and its half-marathon June 7 are run on a point-to-point course that incorporates the Olympic Discovery Trail with views of the Olympic Mountains and a five-mile finishing stretch along the shores of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The event also welcomes walkers and corporate relay teams.
Bring the whole family to the third annual Missoula Marathon July 13 where a marathon, half marathon and kids marathon awaits. Nestled into the Rocky Mountains of western Montana, the event was started by a group of local runners who wanted to share the area’s natural beauty with the running world. The courses are all relatively flat and fast and finish in downtown Missoula where root beer floats await.
Set for Oct. 3 during the Bavarian-themed town’s Oktoberfest celebration, the Leavenworth Marathon will donate all net proceeds to cancer research. Located two hours east of Seattle in the eastern foothills of the Cascades, the course runs on a combination of scenic country roads and trails bordering the Wenatchee National Forest and Alpine Lakes Wilderness area.
If You Go
Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon: www.rnrseattle.com
Eugene Marathon: www.eugenemarathon.com
North Olympic Discovery Marathon: www.nodm.com
Missoula Marathon: www.missoulamarathon.org
Leavenworth Marathon: www.leavenworthmarathon.com
Pocatello Marathon : www.PocatelloMarathon.com
Grizzly Marathon: www.grizzlymarathon.com |
