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Best Boston Marathon Qualifiers
It's here! Our annual list of the year's best marathons to help you qualify for the Boston Marathon.
Nearly 500 marathon courses. Ships same or Next Day
Light At The End Of The Tunnel Marathon Reviews
Light At The End Of The Tunnel Marathon
4.8 Stars from
12 Runners
Fast course! 22 minute PR. Findmymarathon race band was the key!
By Sarah about 2023
Review
This was an amazing marathon from top to bottom. Great organization, great course, great weather, and great people! Also, I have Findmymarathon to thank for a race band I ordered through them. I knew my Garmin wouldn't give accurate information due to the nature of this course (the tunnel, shaded areas, etc). My gps was way off and by reading many reviews of people whose GPS was off, I knew I had to get a race band. It made a huge impact on my race performance. This marathon was amazing and I'm definitely doing it next year. In fact, it'll be an annual race for me!
5 /
5 Stars
Tears up Nike Alphaflys
By to about 2022
Review
FYI, I looked at my brand new Nike Alphaflys this morning after wiping the mud off and the trail ripped up the soft foam rubber on the bottom yesterday
4 /
5 Stars
Great course, marginal support, super fast course so BQ'ed
By to about 2022
Review
The course is beautiful! It was muddy because of the rain the past few days and we had to avoid the puddles. Staff and volunteers were super friendly. All the racers I met were super nice also! The school buses to the start line were fine. The buses wait until full then head up. You can drop off your gear bag right up until race start which is awesome as the start is 10 degrees colder than down at the finish area. The on course support is limited. No trash cans except for at the aid stations (people were throwing stuff by mile maker signs). Limited pacers for the race. They only had 15 port-potties at the start line for 704 registered participants (result show 520 finishers) The line was huge!! There was only 10 aid stations because of access to the course. Lots of snacks and chili at the finish line. Easy gear bag and headlamp pickup at finish area. Shuttle buses take you back as no parking at the finish area. It's a small race, but I would recommend you do it!!
Race Tips
Absolutely beautiful course and lots of waterfalls. Put your hat on backwards when you start so that your headlamp can shine at your feet. If you enter the tunnel with a group you have plenty of light. Stay in the center of the tunnel for first part as the camber is steeper then becomes mostly flat. Garmin can be way off so get a pace band to keep you on track at the mile markers. Second half of course is faster than first. Even though was tired, extra decline in second half helps. Some aid stations you have to get your own drinks, others volunteers enough to hand them to you. Weather is cooler so even though they recommend you carry water, didn't really need it. It is fairly packed gravel so can use road shoes. (Did get a couple small rocks in my shoes though.) Did I mention that the course is absolutely beautiful!
Rent a car and stay in Issaquah as several decent hotels and lots of food choices. Normally don't like getting to start early but helped this time as only 15 port-potties. Looked like majority of people tried to pick up their packet right at noon so line was long if you weren't early. Packet pickup is outside on sidewalk of Nike store.
4 /
5 Stars
Best marathon ever!
By hbb about 2019
Review
I have run this marathon twice and both times i have PR and BQed . The weather was great.
Race Tips
Not a whole lot of port-o-potties on the route. The route is not closed so there are no runners on the course. Be ready to take a school bus to the start.
Air B and B along the way from North Bend to Seattle is the best bet.
5 /
5 Stars
The best race ever
By hd about 2019
Review
I liked everything about this race. Its in the mountains outside of Seattle. It started off cool but there was a bag drop after exiting the tunnel. It is a gradual down hit. It is not a steep as some other down hills. I can not begin to detail all of the beautiful water falls and rivers you run over while all the time going down hill. Truly a great race I will run again.
Race Tips
Get into and out of the tunnel and just let your legs go. Don't "put on the breaks:. If you train well you will do great at this race.
Make sure you arrive early at the pick up and catch the school bus to the start. There is no parking at the start of the race.
5 /
5 Stars
Train for the downhill!
By Brooke about 2019
Review
Beautiful course. Stunning views of the Cascades and a gorgeous nature trail. The tunnel makes it a unique experience.
Race Tips
TRAIN FOR THE HILLS. I came, like many other runners, to attempt a BQ. I was on pace through 19 miles and then my legs shut down. I was not at all prepared for how much the downhill would beat up my legs. I did not BQ. I think I’ll stick with a flat course next time.
I stayed at the race hotel in Issaquah and it was convenient. Our race packets were delivered to the hotel. You will need to rent a car.
4 /
5 Stars
Fast and beautiful views
By NJ about 2017
Review
Gradual downhill the whole race. Tunnel is crowded at first but spaces out, poor to no service in the tunnel, so you will need to feel comfortable with your pace. Gravel was fairly smooth but at times you need to watch your footing when passing runners. Run over trussels are beautiful but very high. Can be a cooler start due to elevation and wooded areas but you will be warm/hot at the last few miles. Limited crowd support due to access to trail but when you see them it gives you a great energy boost.
Race Tips
Great for PRs: must uphill and downhill training and good strengthening quads program. I brought my own water pack just to make sure I had water when needed, since first aide station was too busy and would have to stop to pour my water. Flash light and headlamp a must for tunnel, they let you toss them at end of tunnel with name and pick up at end of race, as well as a light jacket. Gaiters are helpful for preventing gravel in your shoes.
We got an Airbnb near the finish line, which was 7 mins from shuttle buses on race morning. There is no expo or packet pick up day before, just morning of so be sure to arrive early.
5 /
5 Stars
By AV about 2016
Review
The race is well organized, not gimmicky, a runner's race. The scenery was unbeatable, and of course the overall downhill was a plus. I loved it. Definitely in my top 5 favorite marathons!
Race Tips
I ended up not using, or needing, the gaiters they recommend. I was definitely happy to have my headlamp during the tunnel, and it was not a big deal to bag it and send it to the finish when the tunnel was done.
Hotels in town are inexpensive but are very old and dated.
5 /
5 Stars
By MJ about 2016
5 /
5 Stars
By Kristie about 2015
Review
2.3 miles through a pitch dark tunnel, 5 trestle bridges, old railway bed with 2% downhill grade for the entire point to point marathon. Awesome support and food at the end.
Race Tips
It's sand\gravel\dirt but trail runners aren't necessary. Not technical. Try out the sports drink before hand (it hates me)
Edgewick Inn in North Bend is cheap, clean and walking distance to the pick up point to bus you to the start line.
5 /
5 Stars
By Tim Clukey about 2013
Review
One of the coolest courses I've ever run on, this was my first full but I have run several races at other distances, it was fun, fast and beautiful.
Race Tips
**headlamp** was a big help, utilize drop bags at end of the tunnel to shed everything you don't want to lug down the mountain. MAKE SURE YOU TRAIN ON SOME LONG DOWNHILL RUNS, your quads will thank you
Tears up Nike Alphaflys