Bellingham Bay Marathon

Run the Bay!

Marathon Course Details

Marathon Course Map

Note: click “Menu” (on upper right corner of map), then “Hills,” to see elevation profile. Total elevation gain is approximately 700 feet.

Course Turn-by-Turn Directions

  1. Start adjacent to the Owl Totem on the entrance driveway to Lummi Nation School (2334 Lummi View Dr, 98226) off Blackhawk Way, near Gooseberry Point on Lummi Nation
  2. Right on Blackhawk Way, heading east down gentle descent with view of Lummi Island across Hale Passage
  3. Left on Lummi View Dr
  4. Left on Lummi Shore Rd; enjoy 4 miles of beautiful bay, island, city and mountain views; continue inland on Lummi Shore Dr
  5. Left on Kwina Rd
  6. Right on Haxton Way Pedestrian Trail
  7. Right on S River Rd
  8. Right on Slater Rd
  9. Right on Ferndale Rd
  10. Left on Rayhorst Rd, turnaround on Rayhorst Rd
  11. Left on Ferndale Rd, pass course half way point
  12. Left on Marine Dr, cross bridge over Nooksack River, continue on Country Ln
  13. Stay right onto Bancroft Rd
  14. Left on Marine Dr, cross bridge over railroad tracks
  15. Left on Alderwood Ave, merge with half marathon athletes, stay right to continue on Alderwood Ave
  16. Cross over, then turn right on, Bennett Dr
  17. Left on Cottonwood Ave, continue along short pedestrian path
  18. Right on Firwood Ave
  19. Left on Cedarwood Ave
  20. Right through Birchwood Park to Coast Millennium Trail, descend into Squalicum Creek Park, continue on Squalicum Pkwy, continue on Roeder Ave, continue on W Chestnut St
  21. Right on Cornwall Ave
  22. Left on Maple St
  23. Right on Railroad Ave
  24. Left on E Laurel St
  25. Right on South Bay Trail, cross 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
  26. Left on 10th St, ascend on S State St, continue on Boulevard, continue on N State St
  27. Left on E Laurel St
  28. Right on Railroad Ave to finish line in front of Depot Market Square (1100 Railroad Ave, 98225)

Course Description

A wonderful course that circumnavigates Bellingham Bay while offering sea & mountain vistas. Starting near Gooseberry Point with several miles along a bluff overlooking the bay, through rural farmland, through beautiful neighborhoods, along waterfront greenways and over top Bellingham Bay before returning to an exciting finish downtown.

Near Gooseberry Point on Lummi Nation, athletes start on the entrance driveway to Lummi Nation School off Blackhawk Way. The descent from the start affords a beautiful view of Lummi Island across Hale Passage. A short gentle ascent leads to breathtaking views across Bellingham Bay of islands, Bellingham and mountains for miles 2 through 5. Miles 6 through 15 are a breeze with little elevation change along Haxton Way Pedestrian Trail and country roads with a stretch along Red River and views of Mount Baker. Cross over the Nooksack River then gently ascend 125 feet over miles 16 and 17. Get a rush of energy as marathoners and half marathoners merge near mile mark 17, then enjoy peeks of Mount Baker through Birchwood Neighborhood while coasting down 140 feet over miles 18, 19 and 20. Athletes make their way to downtown Bellingham along the waterfront for miles 21 and 22. Leaving downtown Bellingham for miles 23 and 24, the course runs along the evergreen South Bay Trail through Boulevard Park over-water across 172 meters long Pattle Point Trestle and 400 meters long Taylor Avenue Dock while admiring Grace and views, sounds and smells of the bay. Gently ascend through mile 25. 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.

Course Highlights