So Chelsea, running buddy extraordinaire and writer of the blog Will Run for Food, drove me on a tour of Saturday’s big race, which I can’t even remember the name of because I am so busy with work this week. Oh yeah, Seattle Rock ‘N’ Roll FULL Marathon. I felt a little sad because this was supposed to be Chelsea’s first half, but she is injured. I KNOW what that is like to watch all the excitement and not feel like you are a part of it. Spectating and friend-support is so important, though. I didn’t realize that last year. I hope Chelsea does and I’m excited that I will get to see her around Mile 7. We even drove past the spot she will be cheering. And, yes, she will be ringing the very cowbell I rang last year.
Below is a partial preview of the Seattle Rock ‘N’ Roll course. Go HERE for full turn-by-turn. We skipped the city and the I-90 portions on Saturday because I’ve run through there before/driven it and I know what it’s like: hilly.
Miles 1-3 look a little industrial, but then you turn into some neighborhoods and make it out to pretty lake views by Mile 5 where you run until the half/full split begins around I-90.
Along Lake Washington Blvd./Lakeside Drive. Mile 5.6-8.9. |
Little hill here. Along Lake Washington Blvd./Lakeside Drive. Mile 5.6-8.9. |
“Where is THAT road?” Chelsea looking for her spectating location. |
“There it is!” Look for Chels on the corner of 48th Ave. S. and Lake Washington Blvd. around Mile 7. Wow, that sounds hookerish. |
After the split, the full marathon runs the I-90 bridge (Mile 9.2-13.8). I’m slightly nervous about this portion. I’ve heard it’s lonely (and windy) because there’s minimal spectators. Zoë (Run, Zoë, Run) and I are planning to run together, though, so I’ll have a friend. Take that, I-90!
After we get off that bridge, we take some turns through downtown Seattle till we get to the Alaskan Way Viaduct (Mile 14.5-17.8ish) and head for another bridge: Aurora Bridge. Yeah, it’s an incline, but then we turn around and go back toward downtown. 17.8-19.2.
Driving across the Aurora Bridge (in “the back” part — the bridge is an out and back). Mile 17.8-19.2. |
After that, the marathoners make their way back across the Alaskan Way Viaduct toward the finish line at Qwest! Mile 19.2-26.2.
And one more little tidbit from my trip to Chelsea’s neck of the woods…
12 comments
Looks like a very nice route…except for the last picture, I feel sorry for the bike seat LOL!
Best of luck – I can;t even think of running Mile 17.8-19.2 – I have done that hill for the ST. Patricks Day run and it is killer for just 4 miles, I can't even picture at that distance. Wow – not to demotivate – oops! You guys are going to rock it.
AGHHH I am so happy you are getting your shot on the course this year and now you get to be on the RECEIVING end of the cheering!!!
I hope the rain stays away and it's not too hot. I'm so very excited for you to run your first marathon!
You and Zoe are going to do so great and inspire so many people along the way!Going over to Chelsea's blog to warn her about the crazy stranger in radioactive pink (me). I get very excited whenever I hear cowbell.
yay! How exciting and cool look at the course!
Thanks for this! I'm definitely looking forward to seeing Chelsea at the seven mile mark. Good luck on the full!
weeeeeee! i am beyond excited!! it's starting to feel real!
I am so beyond excited for you and Zoe!!! This course tour makes it all seem real!!!
Very excited for you! Seattle is the one I WANT to do… I've just gotta save my $$. And now that I've seen your pictures – I REALLY wan to do it!!!!
Thanks for a nice share you have given to us with such an large collection of information. Great work you have done by sharing them to all. simply superb. Photo Recovery
Hey! Got to love the naked cyclists in Fremont…..Just want to say good luck again, and keep your spirits up at mile 23. You can see the 26 mile marker, but you have to do and out and back loop to the off ramp to the finish line. Kind of broke my spirit last year, but I was unknowingly running with stress reactions and posterior tibialis tendonitis. P.S. Love the outfit!