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UW Medicine Seattle Marathon and Half Marathon

November 29, 2026 · 7:00 AMSeattle, WA, United States

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Race snapshot

Race Day

43°F

36–48°F · Feels cold

Total elevation gain

984ft

Moderate rolling hills · Net elevation change −157 ft

Participants

9,000

Large field

Crowd Rating

6/ 10

Good crowd energy

Entry

Registration Open

Full Marathon Run/Walk/Wheelchair

$187.49

Standard full marathon entry during the Apr 1 – Oct 11, 2026 registration window (price shown on Race Roster, Jun 2026).

Official Website

Key Dates

1. Early Bird Registration Deadline
  Mar 31, 2026
  Last day for early bird registration rates
2. Last Day to Pre-Order Finisher Items
  Oct 11, 2026
  Final day to pre-order finisher apparel and items
1. Health & Fitness Expo
  Nov 27, 2026
  Expo opens at 11:00 AM - packet pickup and bib distribution
2. Health & Fitness Expo
  Nov 28, 2026
  Expo continues at 11:00 AM - packet pickup and bib distribution
3. Half Marathon
  Nov 29, 2026
  Half Marathon start time at 8:30 AM
4. Full Marathon
  Nov 29, 2026
  Full Marathon start time at 7:00 AM

Found in

Marathons in Washington Half Marathons in Washington Races in Washington Marathons in the United States

The Lowdown

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.

Previous edition results — 2025

Mar 23, 2023: UW Medicine named title sponsor in five-year agreement through 2027
UW Medicine was announced as the title sponsor of the Seattle Marathon under a five-year agreement running through 2027; the university has staffed aid stations on the course for years and expanded the partnership to support the event’s health initiatives. The announcement was made in a UW Medicine press release describing the long-standing relationship between the race (founded 1970) and the University of Washington.
Dec 17, 2025: Registration windows and early‑bird deadline set for 2026 edition
Race Roster shows registration for the 2026 event is open with tiered pricing and an early‑bird/last-day-for-early-bird deadline of March 31, 2026 (promotions such as a Valentine’s sale and other seasonal pricing windows are listed). Runners should note in-person packet pickup and expo dates are posted on the event page, so registering early secures preferred pricing and finisher-item pre-orders.
Sep 21, 2026: 2026 start times confirmed: full marathon 7:00 AM, half marathon 8:30 AM
The official race site and Race Roster listing both confirm the 2026 full marathon starts at 7:00 AM and the half marathon at 8:30 AM on Sunday, November 29, 2026; both races start at Seattle Center and finish at Pier 66 (Bell Harbor). This corrects an earlier-listed start-time pairing.

2025 · Marathon

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Course Highlights: 01Seward Park – Scenic start area on a peninsula in Lake Washington with forested trails and lake views
02Lake Washington Boulevard – A long lakeside stretch offering rolling hills and expansive waterfront vistas
03University of Washington (UW) Campus – Runners pass through the historic campus with views of collegiate buildings and cherry trees
04Husky Stadium – Iconic UW football stadium adjacent to the course, providing a lively spectator zone
05Gas Works Park – Former gas plant turned park with unique industrial structures and panoramic views of Lake Union and the city skyline
06Pike Place Market – Historic waterfront market where runners pass near shops, vendors, and the famous fish toss
07Seattle Center / Space Needle – The course approaches the cultural heart of the city with views of the Space Needle and museums
Also on this race weekend: Half marathon
Time Limit: 6 hours
Boston Qualifier: This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event. Achieve your qualifying standard here on a verified course.

Minimum Age: 16 years
Entry Methods: Online Registration
Charity Entry
Tour Operator
Group/Team Registration
Virtual Race
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old on race day to run the marathon
Must be at least 14 years old on race day to run the half marathon
All participants must complete and sign the online waiver/participant agreement at registration
Runners must register and pick up their race bib in person or designate an authorized packet pickup proxy per event rules
Participants should have adequate training and medical clearance if they have pre-existing medical conditions or concerns
Race has a marathon course cutoff time (finish line closed) of 6.5 hours; runners beyond the cutoff may be removed from course support
Bib transfers are not permitted; participants must run under the name on their registration
Participants must comply with race rules and directions from race officials and medical personnel
Wheelchair and handcycle athletes must register in the appropriate division and contact race organizers in advance to confirm accommodation
Required Documents: Photo ID (required for packet pickup)
Proof of time (for seeded corral or qualifying time verification)
Signed waiver/registration confirmation
Proof of age (if requested for age-group verification)
Cancellation & Refund Policy: No refunds for volunteer or participant-initiated cancellations
Deferral to the 2027 race allowed until 2026-11-01 for a $25 processing fee
Bib transfers to another runner permitted until 2026-11-01 for a $10 transfer fee and name change
If the event is canceled by organizers, entrants will be offered either a full refund (minus payment processing fees) or automatic deferral to the next event

Book Stay

01: The course is USATF-certified and is a Boston Marathon qualifying course.
02: Runners will enjoy scenic Seattle views including Elliott Bay and potential glimpses of Mount Rainier on clear days, along with several notable uphill sections in neighborhoods like Queen Anne and Capitol Hill.
03: Finishers receive a custom finisher medal and a technical long-sleeve shirt, and there is a post-race festival with food and a beer garden for participants and spectators.
04: Race weekend includes a pre-race packet pickup and expo, awards for overall and age-group winners, and aid stations roughly every 1.5-2 miles offering water, sports drink, and gels.
05: Downtown parking is limited, so participants are encouraged to use public transit or park-and-ride options.

Questions about the UW Medicine Seattle Marathon 2026

When is the UW Medicine Seattle Marathon 2026?

Sunday, November 29, 2026.

Where is the UW Medicine Seattle Marathon?

Seattle, WA, United States.

What time does the UW Medicine Seattle Marathon start?

The race starts at 7:00 AM, local time.

What is the UW Medicine Seattle Marathon time limit?

6 hours.

How do I enter the UW Medicine Seattle Marathon 2026?

Registration is open. Ways in: Online Registration; Charity Entry; Tour Operator; Group/Team Registration.

How much does the UW Medicine Seattle Marathon 2026 cost?

Full Marathon Run/Walk/Wheelchair: $187.49. Half Marathon Run/Walk/Wheelchair: $155.17. Full Marathon Virtual: $105.62. Half Marathon Virtual: $89.46.

When and where is packet pickup for the UW Medicine Seattle Marathon?

Nov 27, 2026: Expo opens at 11:00 AM - packet pickup and bib distribution. Nov 28, 2026: Expo continues at 11:00 AM - packet pickup and bib distribution.

What is the UW Medicine Seattle Marathon elevation gain?

300 m (984 ft) of total elevation gain. Net elevation change: −48 m (157 ft). Moderate rolling hills.

What is the UW Medicine Seattle Marathon course like?

It passes Seward Park, Lake Washington Boulevard and University of Washington (UW) Campus. Course map

What is the weather like at the UW Medicine Seattle Marathon?

Race-day temperatures are usually 2–9 °C (36–48 °F). Feels cold.

How many runners does the UW Medicine Seattle Marathon have?

9,000 participants. Large field.

Where are the UW Medicine Seattle Marathon results?

The official 2025 results are on the organizer's site. Official results

Is the UW Medicine Seattle Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes. This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event.

Prepare for This Race

Pace CalculatorPlan splits for marathon Race PredictorPredict your marathon time BQ CalculatorBQ-eligible course Fuel PlannerPlan nutrition for marathon, cool weather Difficulty Analyzer984ft gain, 43°F avg, marathon Training PacesTraining zones for marathon

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