Seattle Running

When you're in Seattle running is a great way to see the city.

My husband, who has run a half dozen marathons and countless other races and fun runs, is originally from Kansas and always comments on how great the running conditions are.

A high school cross country race at Lincoln Park

The relatively mild climate means you can enjoy running in Seattle year-round. It's usually not too hot in the summer for a mid-day run. Cool mornings and evenings make it even more comfortable for running. In the winter, sub-freezing temperatures are rare and don't last long when they do occur. Snow may come once or twice, and some years not at all. There is the rain, but most Seattle running fans don't let a little rain stop them!

The city's location between Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains guarantees that running in Seattle never gets boring. You can run along waterfront trails, forest paths and mountain trails. And if you actually prefer running on sidewalks and streets you can do that too!

The Emerald City is a very outdoor-sports oriented city, so there will be plenty of other runners, walkers, and bikers to make you feel right at home on the streets and trails.

Races and Fun Runs

Most weekends throughout the year offer at least one race or fun run, and during the summer months you'll have many options to choose from. Some of the bigger races include:

• St. Patrick's Day Dash - a 3.75 mile run beginning at Seattle Center and finishing with a bash including music, food and a beer garden.
• Skagit Valley Tulip Run - 2-mile and 5-mile runs near the tulip fields of Skagit County in conjunction with the annual Tulip Festival.
• Beat the Bridge - 8K race and 1-mile fun run starting at the University of Washingtons Husky Stadium. The goal is to beat the drawbridge at the 2 mile mark which is raised exactly 20 minutes after the start of the third wave of runners.
• Susan Komen Race for the Cure - this fund-raiser for breast cancer research begins and ends at Qwest Field. After the race the football field is filled with sponsor booths and local celebrities such as Seahawks football players and Seagals cheerleaders. My husband and daughter ran the race in honor of a friend of mine, and after the finish met and shook hands with Seahawk's quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.
• Fremont 5K and Briefcase Relay - run as an individual or as a team of 5 members while dressed from the waist up in business attire and carrying a briefcase. "Business attire" is defined rather loosely as anything that represents a profession. Apparently Elvis, Indiana Jones, and brides are all professions!
• Seafair Torchlight Run 8K and 5K
• Rock and Roll Marathon takes runners along the shores of Lake Washington, across the floating bridge, onto the Alaskan Way Viaduct which runs along the downtown waterfront, past the Space Needle and Lake Union, and ends at Qwest Field with bands and cheer teams along the way.
• Seattle Marathon
• Jingle Bell Run

That's just a small handful of the possibilities. You can find more information about Seattle fun runs and races at Northwest Runner.

Seattle Running Routes

View from the trail at Lincoln Park

Many parks have trails that are ideal for running. A couple of our favorites include Lincoln Park in West Seattle and Woodland Park next to the zoo. Lincoln Park overlooks Puget Sound and the view is stunning. The Parks and Recreation website has a good listing of parks and playfields, road running routes, and synthetic tracks that are available. Locations and distances are included.

Run the Planet has a good Seattle running route resource as well. It includes maps and routes submitted by other area runners.

Other Seattle Running Resources

• Seattle Running Club - one of the largest running clubs in Washington whose members participate in weekly runs, cross-country races, road races, track and field meets, ultra races and other running related activities.
• Fleet Feet Seattle - a running store at 911 E. Pine Street that also sponsors weekly group runs.