Looking for marathons, half marathons, and unique races in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest? Welcome to the Emerald City’s running scene — where you can race across floating bridges with Mount Rainier in view, run through old-growth forests, and finish along Puget Sound waterfronts. Seattle and surrounding Washington State offer one of the most scenic running calendars in the United States, with everything from sub-elite-fast half marathons to costume-themed trail runs to ultra distances.
Below is the most complete guide to Seattle-area races we maintain at What Race To Run — refreshed regularly with the latest 2026 and 2027 dates. From the iconic Seattle Marathon to the Pacific Northwest’s beloved Orca Half along West Seattle, we cover all the events Seattle runners care about.
Confirmed Upcoming Seattle & PNW Races
Here are the races with confirmed 2026 or 2027 dates that you can register for now. Click any race for full details including course highlights, race weekend tips, and the official registration link.
- Seattle Marathon and Half Marathon (Summer) — Jun 07, 2026 · Seattle, WA · Road
- Snoqualmie Valley Half Marathon — Jun 20, 2026 · Carnation, WA · Trail
- Mount Rainier Half Marathon & 5k — Jul 17, 2026 · Ashford, WA · Trail
- Kaiser Permanente Seafair Torchlight Run — Jul 25, 2026 · Seattle, WA · Night
- Craft Classic Seattle — Aug 02, 2026 · Redmond, WA · Road
- Bigfoot 200 — Aug 14, 2026 · Cougar, WA · Trail
- Iron Horse Half Marathon — Aug 30, 2026 · North Bend, WA · Trail
- Tunnel Light Marathon — Sep 13, 2026 · Snoqualmie Pass, WA · Trail
- Orca Half Marathon Seattle — Sep 19, 2026 · Seattle, WA · Road
- Anacortes Half Marathon & 5k — Sep 19, 2026 · Anacortes, WA · Road
- Poulsbo Half Marathon — Oct 04, 2026 · Poulsbo, WA · Road
- Defiance 50K Tacoma — Oct 10, 2026 · Tacoma, WA · Trail
- Pumpkin Spice Run — Oct 11, 2026 · Seattle, WA · Road
- Lake Washington Half Marathon — Oct 17, 2026 · Kirkland, WA · Road
- Captain Jack’s Treasure Run Half Marathon — Oct 25, 2026 · Redmond, WA · Road
- Grand Ridge Issaquah Trail Race — Nov 07, 2026 · Issaquah, WA · Trail
- UW Medicine Seattle Marathon and Half Marathon — Nov 29, 2026 · Seattle, WA · Road
- Electric Cookie Run Seattle — Dec 05, 2026 · Seattle, WA · Night
- Lake Sammamish Half Marathon — Mar 06, 2027 · Redmond/Issaquah, WA · Road
- Kirkland Half Marathon and 5K — May 02, 2027 · Kirkland, WA · Road
- Beat the Bridge 8K Seattle — May 08, 2027 · Seattle, WA · Road
Awaiting Confirmed Dates
These events are happening again, but the official date hasn’t been announced yet. Bookmark the race page to be notified once the date drops, or check the official race website linked on each page.
- Seattle Cherry Blossom Run — Date TBD · Seattle, WA · Road
- San Juan Island Half Marathon — Date TBD · Friday Harbor, WA · Road
- St. Patrick’s Day Dash — Date TBD · Seattle, WA · Road
- Birch Bay Road Race — Date TBD · Blaine, WA · Road
- Whidbey Island Marathon and Half Marathon — Date TBD · Oak Harbor, WA · Road
Why Race In Seattle?
Seattle’s running culture is shaped by its landscape. Cool maritime temperatures from spring through fall make the city a personal-record paradise — you’ll rarely race in heat. The Puget Sound provides endless waterfront miles, the Cascade Mountains rise into view on clear days, and Mount Rainier dominates the southern horizon. Add the city’s thriving coffee culture, brewery finish lines, and a deep community of running clubs, and it’s no wonder the Emerald City has produced races like the Orca Half, the UW Medicine Seattle Marathon, and the legendary Seafair Torchlight 5K.
Seattle Race Calendar Overview
Spring (Mar–May): St. Patrick’s Day Dash, Lake Sammamish Half, Kirkland Half, Beat the Bridge 8K, and Seattle Cherry Blossom Run kick off the season as the city blooms.
Summer (Jun–Aug): Pacific Northwest summer is golden — long evenings, cool mornings, and races like Snoqualmie Valley Half, Seattle Marathon (Summer), Mount Rainier Half, Seafair Torchlight 5K, Craft Classic, Iron Horse Half, and the epic Bigfoot 200.
Fall (Sep–Nov): The biggest stretch of the calendar with Orca Half, Anacortes Half, Tunnel Light Marathon, Poulsbo Half, Defiance 50K, Pumpkin Spice Run, Lake Washington Half, Captain Jack’s Treasure Run, Grand Ridge Trail, and the UW Medicine Seattle Marathon.
Winter (Dec): Close out the year with the Electric Cookie Run — a night race with lights and holiday vibes.
Travel & Logistics Tips for Out-of-Town Runners
Getting around: Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) is your gateway. The Link Light Rail connects the airport to downtown for under $4. For races on the Eastside (Kirkland, Issaquah, Redmond, Sammamish), renting a car saves time.
Where to stay: Downtown Seattle for waterfront races and the Torchlight 5K. Kirkland or Bellevue for Lake Washington Half, Kirkland Half, and Lake Sammamish Half. Anacortes or Friday Harbor for the San Juan Island races.
What to pack: Layers, always. Seattle weather can shift from 50°F drizzle to 75°F sunshine within a single race. Lightweight rain jacket, sunglasses, and a hat cover almost every scenario from March through October.
Carb-load spots: Pike Place Market for the experience, Serious Pie or Tutta Bella for night-before pizza, and Top Pot Doughnuts for race-morning fuel. After the race, Pyramid Brewing’s beer garden is a Seattle institution.
Train Smart for Pacific Northwest Races
Most Seattle-area races feature cool-but-damp conditions and modest elevation. If you’re training for a flat course like Lake Sammamish or the Orca Half, focus on cadence and tempo runs. For hillier courses like Whidbey Island or the trail-focused Iron Horse Half, build in hill repeats and downhill quad strength.
Ready to find your next Pacific Northwest race? Browse the events above, then visit each race’s full page for course maps, registration links, and our editorial review. New races are added every Sunday — bookmark this page or subscribe to our newsletter.