Course Information

• Marathon & Half Marathon Courses, Hotels, Italian Restaurants and more - Google (revised 9 August 2010)
• Marathon Course - RunningAHEAD (revised 13 August 2010)
• Half Marathon Course - RunningAHEAD (revised 9 August 2010)
• 5K Course - RunningAHEAD (revised 15 August 2010)

For course elevation, click the RunningAHEAD link, then click the elevation icon.

Course Updates

• 2010.08.26 - Moved distance along Rural Ave to Ferndale Rd at request of Whatcom County traffic engineers. Change results in another 40 feet drop in elevation.
• 2010.08.15 - Updated marathon and half marathon course descriptions and directions.
• 2010.08.13 - Small adjustment to marathon course turnarounds on Rural Ave and Interurban Trail to synch mile markers and hydration station locations with half marathon.
• 2010.08.09 - All 2010 courses finalized! All course have been adjusted approximately 1,200 meters from their finishes. Instead of taking a hairpin turn at Wharf St from Boulevard, all courses will continue along Boulevard St to N State St to left on E Laurel St. The RunningAHEAD maps have been updated for the marathon and half. We are working on downloads for these courses and the 5K.
• 2010.06.28 - Proposed new full marathon course more beautiful and faster than ever. We eliminated 750’ elevation gain and took out lots of turns. The course is expected to be a point-to-point starting at Gooseberry Point on the Lummi Indian Reservation. The first 5 miles will traverse a cliff at the western shore of Bellingham Bay affording a breathtaking view of the bay, Bellingham and the mountains beyond.
• 2010.06.25 Proposed new full marathon course will eliminate the hills of Edgemoor neighborhood, the Interurban Trail switchbacks north of Old Samish Lake Road and the climb along Chuckanut Drive and California Avenue.

Course Highlights

Marathon

• Course improved: FASTER!
• Hydration stations with water and Lemonade Ultima Replinsher will be located roughly every 2 miles
• Hammer Gel will be available at roughly miles 6, 16 and 22; flavors include chocolate, vanilla, raspberry, apple-cinnamon and espresso
• Petroleum Jelly will be available at all hydration stations
• Mile markers every mile; kilometer markers every 5 KM
• Medical Aid station at miles 16 and 22
• Course will be open until 3pm on race day
• USATF Certification number WA 09046MW

Marathon Course Description

On Gooseberry Point on Lummi Reservation, athletes start at yellow gate atop Blackhawk Way. The descent from the start affords a beautiful view of Lummi Island across Hale Passage. A short gentle ascent leads to breath taking views across Bellingham Bay of islands, Bellingham and mountains for miles 2 through 5. Miles 6 through 12 are along country roads with little elevation change. Gently ascend 125 feet over miles 13 and 14, then enjoy views of Mount Baker through Birchwood neighborhood while coasting down 140 feet over miles 15, 16 and 17. Athletes will then make their way back to downtown Bellingham along the waterfront for miles 18 and 19. Leaving downtown Bellingham, the course runs along South Bay Trail and through Boulevard Park, then ascend to 10th St for passage to the Interurban Trail over miles 20 and 21. Enjoy the cool shade of the Inteurban Trail across miles 22, 23 and 24. Miles 25 and 26 are along a gentle ascent with panoramic views of Bellingham Bay, then enjoy a descent to the finish line near market Depot Square 

Marathon Course Directions

Start at yellow gate at crest of Blackhawk Way on Gooseberry Point on Lummi Reservation, head east down a gentle descent with view of Lummi Island across Hale Passage, left on Lummi View Dr, left on Lummi Shore Rd, enjoy 4 miles of beautiful bay, island, city and mountain views, continue of Lummi Shore Dr, right on Marine Dr, cross bridge over Nooksack River, left on Ferndale Rd, turnaround on Ferndale Rd near 9.5 mile mark, left on Marine Dr, continue on Country Ln, pass course half way point, left on Marine Dr, cross bridge over railroad tracks, left on Alderwood Ave merging with half marathon athletes, continue on Airport Dr, left on Alderwood Ave, right on Bennett Dr, left on Cottonwood Ave, continue along short pedestrian path to right on Firwood Ave, left on Bay to Baker Trail to trail section descending into Squalicum Creek Park, continuing on Squalicum Pkwy, continuing on Roeder Ave, continuing on W Chestnut St, right on Cornwall Ave, left on Maple St, right on Railroad Ave, left on E Laurel St, right on South Bay Trail crossing pedestrian bridge, crossing Wharf St to continue on South Bay Trail, crossing railroad tracks to Boulevard Park, taking waterfront pedestrian path to Bay View Dr crossing railroad tracks, right on S State St, continue on 10th St, continue on hard packed pedestrian trail, continue on 10th St, continue on Interurban Trail, turnaround near Cody Ave, continue on Interurban Trail, continue on 10th St, continue on hard packed pedestrian trail, continue on 10th St, continue on S State St, continue on Boulevard St, continue on N State St, left on E Laurel St, right on Railroad Ave to finish line near Market Depot Square.

Half Marathon Course Highlights

Half Marathon

• Hydration stations with water and Lemonade Ultima Replinsher will be located roughly every 2 miles
• Hammer Gel will be available at roughly mile 6; flavors include chocolate, vanilla, raspberry, apple-cinnamon and espresso
• Petroleum Jelly will be available at all hydration stations
• Mile markers every mile; kilometer markers every 5 KM
• Course will be open until 3pm on race day
• USATF Certification number WA 09045MW

Half Marathon Course Description

Starts on Railroad Ave in front of Market Depot Square in downtown Bellingham. The course runs through Bellingham, crosses Pickett Bridge and makes its way through neighborhoods (Columbia and Birchwood) north of downtown for miles 1 through 7. Athletes will then make their way back to downtown Bellingham along the waterfront for miles 8 and 9. Leaving downtown Bellingham, the course runs along South Bay Trail and through Boulevard Park for miles 10 and 11, then ascend to 10th St for a turnaround. Miles 12 and 13 are along a gentle ascent with panoramic views of Bellingham Bay, then enjoy a descent to the finish line near market Depot Market Square.

Half Marathon Course Directions

Start on Railroad Ave at Market Depot Square, left on W Holly St, right on Bay St, veer left on Prospect St, continuing on Dupont St, left on Broadway, right on Madison St, left on Henry St, right on Eldridge Ave, continuing on Marine Dr, right on Alderwood Ave merging with marathon athletes, continue on Airport Dr, left on Alderwood Ave, right on Bennett Dr, left on Cottonwood Ave, continue along short pedestrian path to right on Firwood Ave, left on Bay to Baker Trail to trail section descending into Squalicum Creek Park, continuing on Squalicum Pkwy, continuing on Roeder Ave, continuing on W Chestnut St, right on Cornwall Ave, left on Maple St, right on Railroad Ave, left on E Laurel St, right on South Bay Trail crossing pedestrian bridge, crossing Wharf St to continue on South Bay Trail, crossing railroad tracks to Boulevard Park, taking waterfront pedestrian path to Bay View Dr crossing railroad tracks, right on S State St, continue on 10th St to turnaround near Douglas Ave (where marathon athletes will continue on), continue on 10th St (where marathon athletes will remerge), continue on S State St, continue on Boulevard St, continue on N State St, left on E Laurel St, right on Railroad Ave to finish line near Market Depot Square.

5K Course Directions

Start on Railroad Ave at Market Depot Square, left on E Chestnut St, left on Cornwall Ave, left on E Maple St, right on Railroad Ave, left on E Laurel St, right on path/bridge to South Bay Trail, cross Wharf St, continue on South Bay Trail, leave trail at southernmost exist up to S State St, continue north on S State St, continue on Boulevard St, continue on N State St, left on E Laurel St, right on Railroad Ave to finish line near Market Depot Square.