2027 San Juan Island Half

The San Juan Island Half starts on the sand at South Beach, inside San Juan Island National Historic Park, and ends at Jackson Beach just south of Friday Harbor. In between, the course opens onto the Salish Sea, the neighboring islands, and the Olympic Mountains across the water.

Don't let the island pace fool you: the route rolls through three main climbs and roughly 900 feet of gain — honest work rather than a flat-out PR chase. Aid stations land every two to three miles with water, Tailwind, and GU; the race is cupless, so carry your own bottle.

Now 22 editions deep, the race draws about 384 finishers and runners from some 19 states, and roughly 14 percent come back for another lap of the island. Winning times near 86 minutes hint at a field with real legs, but the weekend is mostly about the place: ferry over, run, then stay to explore with family.