The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance.
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Seattle Marathon
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How does the Seattle Marathon Rank?
The Seattle Marathon was the 37th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 46th largest in 2022.
Last year 6.2% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 8% of runners qualified for Boston in 2022.
This gives the Seattle Marathon the 300th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 225th highest percentage in 2022.
Its Course Score of 96.95 ranks it as the 378th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 22nd fastest course in Washington.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Seattle Marathon a PR Score of 96.95. This PR Score ranks it as the 335th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 22nd fastest in Washington.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Seattle Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 302 feet (92m) Min Elevation: 30 feet (9m)
I ran the half and was not impressed with the course. The two mile marker was in the wrong place, by a LOT. Everyone commented on it. The route did not take in the beauty of the city. It was a bit grimey with one section going next to fast moving cars and separated only by a few cones. At one point, we went within feet of a homeless encampment. The aid stations were good and the ending with the space needle in view was nice. Not much in the way of water views or going through pretty Seattle neighborhoods.
Although the half marathon has thousands of runners, the full marathon has about 1500. It's a local race on a beautiful course, historic.
Race Tips
The first half has some significant hills coming to the express lanes and the ends of the I-90 bridge. This may not be relevant in the future since the course will change because of light rail construction. Miles 18-23 have substantial extended and rolling hills. Weather is very variable in late November, be prepared for sub-freezing weather, driving rain, sun, but most likley overcast with drizzle.
My running club, the Seattle Green Lake Running Group, provides the official pacers, and they are the nicest and most reliable pacers anywhere!
WSDW's review of 2016 Seattle Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Very well organized on the course. Lots of friendly volunteers along the route and plenty of rehydration stops. Lots of portable toilets. Pretty and challenging course. Good running conditions in 2016. Nice finish.
Recovery center was pretty lame. Warm but food/drink limited to water, bananas, dole fruit cups, cheap mini bagels with nothing to go in them, Darigold milk based protein drink, and believe it or not Folgers coffee packets (this is Seattle). The organizers should meet up with the Cascade Bike club (the organizers of the STP) to learn out how they look after participants at the rest stops
Not much fun walking up and down steps of Memorial Stadium to recover gear check - gear check could easily have fit into the recovery center building.
Expo okay but hard to find a volunteer who knows anything about the race.
If you are running the marathon get there late after the half marathon crowds leave. Street parking is pretty easy a few blocks west of the Seattle center. Start does not use corrals which it just about gets away with.
SG's review of 2016 Seattle Marathon.
4 /
5 Stars
Review
The course was very pretty and I really enjoyed the atmosphere but the hills were much steeper than I had expected. They were small but steep!
Race Tips
I would certainly recommend running the first half slower than you want to because the hills on the second half of the course are brutal.
It was a chilly morning but there was a great food court right by the start of the race full of runners. It was a good place to wait for the race to start.
dhs's review of 2016 Seattle Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
challenging fun course...good support...SMA does a great job before and after, too
Race Tips
hill training a must and since it's the Sunday after Thanksgiving...expect the weather to be possibly mizzle/drizzle and/or cold...
4.4 Stars from 7 Reviews
