Seattle Marathon

Whoever came up with this course is clearly not someone who has run or cares about marathons. The most egregious fault in this course is having faster marathoners merge into an enclosed trail that is being blocked by slow half marathoners, 12.2 miles in. Once on the trail a faster marathoner is stuck. There is nowhere to get around the slower half marathoners. One almost has to push through them. For those trying to qualify for Boston or New York, that could easily be the reason they did not qualify. Another major problem is 11th Ave E just after leaving Interlaken Blvd. It is a super steep downhill on a rough road 11 miles into the marathon. Never mind the frost we had that day. Also the course involves two loops around Greenlake. The second loop is on the inner path among people not involved with the marathon, including families walking in groups, strollers, some cyclists. It is not a wide path. I have done the Seattle Marathon more than 10 times. It used to be a great course. The organization was stellar. They even had someone at each mile yelling the time to marathoners. Now they are taking liberties in denying basic expectations to marathoners, such as the ability to run uninterrupted. I suspect it has to do with organizers keeping more of the money for themselves, by paying less to the city for a proper course, and providing a marathon that does not meet basic standards every marathoner expects.

The race hotel was 4 miles from the start and finish lines. With no transportation between the two. Crazy, right? The crazier thing is that in Seattle where rain is common, the RD decided it would be a good idea to have the new course go through WETLANDS. The recent and unexpected rains meant having to actually balance yourself on three wooden planks to cross shin deep puddles. It was insane. And oh yeah, the runner tracking system as promised never worked. The tracking company says the RD did not give information to them in time. This race has just become a money grab. Never again.

Sponsored by Nuun but forgot to provide it for 90% of the race. Every support table from miles 7-24 only had water. No GUs provided on course even though it was specified on the course map. Miles 13-16 on a bridge /causeway. No fluid station but that was known. Then fluids and turnaround and then mile 16-19 back over bridge without fluids. Then a trail around mile 20. Covered with lots of leaves which could be a fall risk since stones and twigs were hidden underneath. One section with 3 planks to cover mud. Try crossing planks with tired legs and multiple runners bouncing up and down. Hills were expected. The trail was unexpected. Finished at the University of Washington stadium. Also where the start is. Nice place to wait before race. But it is 3 miles from the host hotel. Finish line on the field is a nice touch. Finishing nutrition and the top of the stairs of the stadium not the best thing after running 26.2 miles. Course was well marked. 3 bridge crossings means very little spectators. It was also 38 degrees so might have had an effect. Nice shirt and medal. Course was well marked. Long time limit of 8 hours. Pace groups were only up to 4 hours 20 minutes so slower run/walkers had no pacers. Combined with half marathoners later in race but groups of walkers on narrow paths made it harder to pass. Also some parks were open so bikers would zoom past without telling us to move to the side a little. No comment yet from the race director about the missing electolyte fluid replacement. I am curious what happened.