Half Marathon

A beautiful course starting in downtown, moves through beautiful neighborhoods, along waterfront and over top Bellingham Bay while offering sea & mountain vistas before returning to an exciting finish downtown.

Half Marathon Run & Walk

  • Start time: 9:30 AM - NO EARLY / NO LATE STARTS
  • Participant age must be at least 13 years by day of race
  • 2,400 registrations capacity
  • Participants receive a short sleeve Leslie Jordan superman blue, gender specific, technical shirt (sizes S to XXL; check fit guide for accurate size selection)
  • Start on Railroad Ave @ Depot Market Square, downtown Bellingham
  • Race is chip timed by Accustat Sports Timing using Winning Time chip system
  • Mile markers every mile; kilometer markers every 5 KM
  • Hydration stations with water and nuun electrolyte enhanced drink (Citrus Fruit or Orange) will be be located roughly every 2 miles
  • Petroleum Jelly will be available at all hydration stations
  • Hammer Gel will be the on course carbohydrate energy fuel available at roughly mile 6.7 (Raspberry)
  • USATF Sanctioned EventMedical Aid station at miles 9 and 11
  • 4 hour finish time limit (18:18 pace); walkers are encouraged as long as they are able to complete the course within the cutoff time; walkers not reaching the 9 mile mark by 12:15pm will be asked to leave the course
  • Finishers receive a commemorative finisher medal
  • USATF Sanctioned event
  • USATF Certification number WA10064MN

Half Marathon Course Highlights

Half Marathon Course Description

Start on Railroad Ave in front of Depot Market Square in downtown Bellingham. The course runs through Bellingham, passing in front of the Whatcom Museum, crossing Pickett Bridge and makes its way through Columbia Neighborhood north of downtown for miles 1 through 3. A gentle ascent with views of Bellingham Bay and islands welcomes athletes to mile 4. Get a rush of energy as marathoners and half marathoners merge near mile mark 4, then enjoy peeks of Mount Baker through Birchwood Neighborhood while coasting down 140 feet over miles 5, 6 and 7. Athletes make their way to downtown Bellingham along the waterfront for miles 8 and 9. Leaving downtown Bellingham for miles 10 and 11, the course runs along the evergreen South Bay Trail through Boulevard Park across Pattle Point Trestle and Taylor Avenue Dock with views, sounds and smells of the bay. Gently ascend through mile 12. For the final mile, enjoy a gentle descent with panoramic views of Bellingham Bay with the crowds cheering athletes to the finish line near Depot Market Square.

Half Marathon Course Directions

Start on Railroad Ave at Depot Market Square, left on W Holly St, right on Bay St, veer left on Prospect St, continue on Dupont St, left on Broadway, right on Madison St, left on Henry St, right on Eldridge Ave, continue on Marine Dr, right on Alderwood Ave merging with marathon athletes, continue on Airport Dr, right on Alderwood Ave, cross over then turn right on Bennett Dr, left on Cottonwood Ave, continue along short pedestrian path to right on Firwood Ave, left on Cedarwood Ave, right through Birchwood Park to Coast Millennium Trail descending into Squalicum Creek Park, continue on Squalicum Pkwy, continue on Roeder Ave, continue on W Chestnut St, right on Cornwall Ave, left on Maple St, right on Railroad Ave, left on E Laurel St, right on South Bay Trail crossing pedestrian bridge, cross Wharf St to continue on South Bay Trail, cross railroad tracks to Boulevard Park, cross Pattle Point Trestle, continue on S Bay Tr, cross Taylor Avenue Dock, ascend to left on 10th St, ascend on S State St, continue on Boulevard St, continue on N State St, left on E Laurel St, right on Railroad Ave to finish line near Depot Market Square.