Lake Washington Half Marathon
The Lake Washington Half Marathon offers a scenic loop along the water with a fast, flat course.
Race Date
Oct 17, 2026
Location
Kirkland, WA
Quick facts
- Date
- Saturday, October 17, 2026
- Location
- Kirkland, Washington
- Distance
- Half marathon (13.1 mi) + Virtual Half Marathon
- Course
- Loop Course
- Terrain
- Road
- USATF certified
- Yes
- Finishers on record
- 5,515
Highlights
Good For
Atmosphere
Course
The Experience
The Lake Washington Half Marathon, first run in 2017 and now in its 9th year, is a beloved fixture for runners in the Pacific Northwest. This USATF-certified course is designed for speed, boasting a net drop and minimal elevation change, making it a prime spot for personal bests. Runners can expect a flat, fast loop that winds along the picturesque shores of Lake Washington and through the charming city of Kirkland.
Starting and finishing at Juanita Beach Park, the race typically sees around 1,389 finishers, with participants traveling from approximately 23 states. The atmosphere is generally spectator-friendly, with cheers echoing along the route. While repeat-runner loyalty is around 13%, the growing field size indicates increasing popularity. The event offers a T-shirt and a unique R-Pod medal for those participating in multiple Orca Running races, adding to the overall race-day reward.
Race-provided description
The Lake Washington Half marathon is a beautiful loop course that starts and finishes and Juanita Beach Park in Kirkland. See more details on the website here! Earn the R-Pod medal when you sign up for any 3 Orca Running races! Check out our options for bundling/saving when signing up for multiple Orca Running/Evergreen Trail races!
Logistics
Race Day
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Start Time
8:00 AM
Giveaway
T-Shirt
Start Location
Juanita Beach Park, Kirkland, WA, 98034
Course Info
USATF CertifiedCourse Type
Loop Course
Terrain
road
Scenery
Lake River, Urban
Surface
Paved
Difficulty
Ultra-Flat
Net Drop/km
+0.19 m
Separation
0.6%
Also Offers
USATF Certified Course
WA16027RMB
Relatively flat with minimal net elevation change. Loop course — start and finish are close together.
Quality Score
Runner Favorite829 years running
~1,389 finishers a year
growing or steady
13% returning runners
USATF certified · 5 timing sources
runners from 23 states
winner 1:15:48
typical high 61°F
Race Day Weather
5-year historical avgStart (Low)
48°
Afternoon (High)
61°
Pleasant conditions — light layers at start, comfortable by finish
0.1"
Precipitation
10 mph
Wind
85%
Humidity
Historical Finish Times
How 5,515 finishers actually crossed the line across 9 years.
Most recent
2025
Total finishers
5,515
Median time
2:08:11
Latest turnout
708
States
41
Turnout by year
2017–2025
Hover the histogram to inspect specific finish times.
Race Photos
Frequently asked
When is the Lake Washington Half Marathon?
The Lake Washington Half Marathon is held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, starting at 8:00 AM.
Where does the Lake Washington Half Marathon take place?
It takes place in Kirkland, Washington.
What distances does the Lake Washington Half Marathon offer?
The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus Virtual Half Marathon.
Is the Lake Washington Half Marathon course flat and good for a PR?
The Lake Washington Half Marathon is a ultra-flat, loop course course. The course is USATF-certified, so finish times can be used for qualifying.
How many people run the Lake Washington Half Marathon?
HalfRuns has finish records for 5,515 runners who have completed the Lake Washington Half Marathon.
HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.
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