Seattle Marathon - November. The Seattle Marathon course is one of the most beautiful in the country. The point-to-point, fully paved course is mostly flat with one gentle rise of 85 feet over 6 miles. It is USATF certified. The course starts in Marymoor Park, near Redmond, Wash. As it leaves the park, it follows the Sammamish River Trail through Woodinville, Bothell and Kenmore, on the north end of Lake Washington. At Kenmore, it joins with the popular Burke-Gilman Trail, which is sheltered with trees on both sides, winding through friendly neighborhoods while paralleling the western shore of Lake Washington. The finish line is at Rainier Vista on the University of Washington campus. Rainier Vista, so named because on a clear day you can see the majestic beauty of Mt. Rainier, was the site of the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, where many buildings later became the university's property.
Whidbey Island Wings of Gold Marathon - April. This extremely scenic gently rolling course begins near Pass Lake on Fidalgo Island and runs across Deception Pass bridge to Whidbey Island, then along country roads to the historic seaport of Coupeville, Washington. The course has been improved to provide even more waterfront views for the runners.
Discovery Walk Festival - April. Two different walking marathons, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. Saturday walking marathon is on streets, through parks and greenways, neighborhoods, and along the Columbia River Renaissance Trail. Sunday walking marathon is along park paths and roads, around Vancouver Lake. International Marching League and IVV sanctioned.
