The downhill Tunnel Vision Marathon course is a very fast course and usually one the top Boston Qualifiers. The course is mostly packed gravel on an old railway with an average decline of 2.2%. Runners will also run just over two miles through a tunnel.
From race website - The course starts at Hyak, 50 miles east of Seattle Washington, and runs down to North Bend on gravel rail-trails. It is a Boston qualifier and has the best profile in the country for a fast time due to the consistent gentle downhill grade and the low starting elevation. The first three miles are flat, cold, foggy and damp inside an unlit tunnel. Flashlights are strongly recommended. Once out of the Tunnel the gravel trail starts down the hill and keeps on going down, 2050 feet in the next 23 miles. It's never steep enough to be uncomfortable; you just feel like you're having a good day.
The Tunnel Vision Marathon was the 121st largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 135th largest in 2022.
This year 34.6% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 27.5% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Tunnel Vision Marathon the 23rd highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 16th highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 104.88 ranks it as the 8th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 4th fastest course in Washington.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are slightly above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Tunnel Vision Marathon a PR Score of 104.53. This PR Score ranks it as the 6th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 2nd fastest in Washington.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Tunnel Vision Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 2603 feet (793m) Min Elevation: 521 feet (158m)
There is not one thing I would improve about this race. The course, the organization, the volunteers, the water stops, even the weather was perfect.
I know that organizers aren't responsible for weather but I don't think there is another place you could even hope for this weather in August.
As promised, most of the race was such a gentle down hill that you didn't feel it, except that it was easy and you were fast. The course was beautiful with lush greenery and tall trees all around.
Even when there weren't branches directly over us, they were providing a feeling of shade and some moisture in the air. Quite a difference from my dry and sun soaked California training.
People coming from humid climates will love it!. The path was a little rocky but very manageable in road shoes without gators and much easier on the legs than pavement. In California our trails are sunbaked clay that is indistinguishable from concrete. There were a few concrete bridges on this course and I could really feel the difference as I crossed.
Volunteers from packet pickup, to the start, through water stations and the finish were all friendly, knowledgeable and upbeat. Answered any question.
Lots of parking at the start and the finish line bus stopped at each parking lot so we didn't have to walk far after the race. They handled the drop bags and drop headlights perfectly - I was prepared to lose mine but I didn't.
I ran the Light at the end of the tunnel about 9 years ago and remembered it fondly. I don't usually repeat races but have had a few bad ones recently and wanted to do one just for the joy. This didn't disappoint. I enjoyed every mile and BQed by almost 17 minutes. I have run over 50 marathons and this is easily in my top 5. I would recommend it to anyone - new or experienced, in it for fun or a fast time.
Race Tips
No need to hold back, just go with the feel, you ARE having a great day and the slope is with you the whole time. It is NOT one of those down hills that leaves your quads crushed so that flat feels insurmountable at the end.
I decide to do this rather late and ended up staying at an airbnb in Fall City the night before. I gave myself plenty of time to drive, there was no traffic and I ended up being quite early. I sat in my car. Though I didn't notice it on the way up, the drive was beautiful after the race from the start back down the mountain. I think you could stay in any of the surrounding communities and be fine.
RM's review of 2023 Tunnel Vision Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Well run marathon with an army of incredible volunteers. Beautiful and unique, and all downhill. Enough aid stations so that I didn't have to carry water, perfectly spaced out. With so few runners it was not hard to easily grab water or sports drink without stopping. Thanks for am incredible BQ race!
Race Tips
Lots of porta potties at the start. Line builds fast at about 20 mins to go, get in before the rush. Everyone starts out fast, I think it was positioning for the 2 mile tunnel right off the bat. I would have started slower next time. Lots of light in the tunnel from other runners. Along the course it is about 75% shaded which was nice because it was warm and sunny. Honey stinger gels of 4-5 varieties were laid out on tables as indicated in the marathon emails, very nice. The downhill was great but maybe I relied on it a bit much, I'd say it saved me about 5 mins over a flat course. Food at the end, amazing! I had ice cold coke, cookies, cake, and chili. There was more.
You can park right at the start if you pay the small fee, otherwise there are free lots a short walk away. Look on google for the shortcut trail to the start. Check in for my bib was lime 30 seconds, easily you can arrive 30 minutes before and be good to go.
MM (Ghost)'s review of 2019 Tunnel Vision Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Pretty well organized. Gorgeous scenery and fantastic weather. What a race. Only 1 minor hiccup, I'll explain down below.
Race Tips
Take it easy through the tunnel. Very little can be gained by going fast through there. So just relax and think to yourself "slow and steady wins the race". You'll have plenty of time & distance after the tunnel to make up time if you need to. I was about a minute behind pace by the time I came out of the tunnel (I was about 22:00 through 3 miles when goal was to be 21:00). But you have 23+ miles to make up that difference. In my case, it was roughly 2.5 seconds/mile. I ran a huge negative split, and with a smart racing strategy, you can too.
I wished I'd rented a car rather than relying on Uber/Lyft for everything. So consider renting a car. I flew out Friday and stayed until Tuesday, so your travel plans may be suited just fine with Uber/Lyft. I would stay either in Issaquah or Snoqualmie . There are more options and places to eat in Issaquah but you're much closer to the buses for the ride to the start if you stay in Snoqualmie. You're also closer to the finish for post race in Snoqualmie.
YSB's review of 2019 Tunnel Vision Marathon.
2 /
5 Stars
Review
This is a beautiful course! The tunnel at the beginning is an exciting element to get the adrenaline pumping. It's really fun. The trail is wide and forgiving (although some people struggle with the loose gravel) with an overall elevation loss which still isn't too rough on the knees. The setting, trail, and weather can't be beat!
The course management and support were super disappointing. Aid station offerings were pretty simple and limited to begin with. There were only 10 stations planned. Unbelievably, two aid stations in the middle of the course were unmanned the entire race. For some, there wasn’t even water or nutrition left. Many of us had no support between Miles 13-21. It’s a remote course so it was a really scary thing especially for those at the back of the pack who arrived to just trash all over the trail and empty water containers. Also scary because we didn't know if any water was available ahead. For the $129 registration fee, totally unacceptable.
There are a few other organizations that half and full marathons on this incredible course. I would not recommend this specific race, but I would definitely recommend this course.
Being from south Louisiana the low temp and humidity (especially for August) was really nice. The shaded trail through the mountains was soooo nice.
Race Tips
Walk the tunnel the day before to get its feel. Even though it's 'trail' (not paved road) shoes with good cushion over the occasional larger gravel are a plus. Superb race.
Parking, shuttling and spectating is a tad unique but well planned out. We stayed in Bellevue (about 30 min from buss pickup and finish). Plenty of hotel choices.
4.5 Stars from 6 Reviews
