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The UW Medicine Seattle Marathon has become one of the Pacific Northwest’s signature fall races, held each November and drawing local and international runners to Seattle’s diverse neighborhoods. Originally established several decades ago as a community road race, the event has grown into a major marathon and half-marathon that celebrates Seattle’s active culture and waterfront beauty. The race is known for its reliable organization and strong local support, including medical partnership with UW Medicine, and serves as a qualifying course for the Boston Marathon (USATF-certified). The course showcases some of Seattle’s most scenic and varied terrain: runners pass iconic waterfront views of Elliott Bay and the downtown skyline, roll through historic neighborhoods and parks, and experience stretches along bike paths and arterial boulevards that highlight the city’s mix of urban and natural scenery. Expect challenging but fair elevation changes, plentiful aid stations and crowd support, and a finish area buzzing with music, local food, and family-friendly festivities. With typically cool late-November weather that’s ideal for distance running, this race offers a welcoming, energetic atmosphere for first-time marathoners and seasoned racers aiming for fast times or Boston-qualifying performances.

The Honolulu Marathon, first run in 1973, is one of the oldest and largest destination marathons in the United States and a marquee annual event in Hawaii’s running calendar. Traditionally held in mid-December to take advantage of warm tropical weather and holiday travel schedules, the race draws a diverse field of elite athletes and recreational runners from around the world. Over the decades it has become as much a celebration of aloha and island culture as a competitive road race, with many participants returning year after year to experience its unique blend of sport and spectacle. The course is scenic and runner-friendly, beginning in the early pre-dawn hours on Ala Moana Boulevard and winding through Honolulu’s waterfront and residential neighborhoods, past iconic Waikiki beaches, and circling the verdant slopes of Diamond Head before finishing in Kapiolani Park with nearby views of the Pacific. Runners experience long stretches of oceanfront and palm-lined streets, occasional gentle rollers rather than steep climbs, and plenty of crowd support at key landmarks. The event atmosphere is famously festive and welcoming — volunteers and spectators hand out leis and Hawaiian hospitality, live music and cultural performances appear along the route, and the race expo and finish-area celebrations underscore the vacation-like vibe. The Honolulu Marathon is AIMS-certified and is recognized as a Boston Marathon qualifying course, making it appealing to both first-time marathoners and those chasing qualifying times. With an early 5:00 a.m. start to avoid the midday heat, comprehensive race-day support, and a well-established organizational history, the Honolulu Marathon offers a memorable and scenic marathon experience that combines competitive opportunity with the relaxed, celebratory spirit of Hawaii.

Our point-to-point, net-downhill course has remained unchanged for 42 years, starting from Folsom’s scenic foothills and ending at the historical California State Capitol. CIM has provided over 100,000 runners of all speeds–from first-timers to the fastest of the fast–the best chance to achieve their marathon goals.