Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
This course is advertised as a chance to BQ. I don't recommend it. The 10 mile out and back section is run on a very loose rocky surface. Not hard packed gravel or dirt. I found myself constantly trying to find a bare section in the rocks to run on. After this you get the 2.4 tunnel. Interesting but I ran slower splits in the tunnel. Due to the dim light from headlamps you have to watch for potholes and puddles in the tunnel. The remaining 13 downhill was a better surface and more enjoyable but IMO doesn't make up for the very frustrating first 10. Many runners picking rocks out of carbon plate racers. The course change to keep this under a 1500 feet drop by running 10 out and back in the other direction ruins this as a fast course. Personally I think they'd be better off to keep the old course and live with the 5 min penalty.
Don't use road shoes with gaps in the outsole. Rocks will get stuck in them.
I ran this course in 2025 for my first BQ with a buffer big enough to be accepted. I returned in 2026 because I simply wanted a relaxed, reliable Fall marathon, and it didn't disappoint. I PR'd again, the weather was great for racing, the course is beautiful, and the tshirts and medals were a bit improved (in my opinion). The finish line logistics (shuttles, communication, drivers, timing) left a bit to be desired... my boyfriend actually missed me at the finish line and his driver said she didn't know where she was going. But aside from that, it was another great experience.
Calf cramping has only ever affected me on this course... the downhill + packed gravel is the likely reason. Be sure to hydrate with electrolytes (not just water) to help mitigate this!
The Cascade Express Marathon was one of the worst race experiences I've had. The course may be advertised as net downhill, but that doesn't make up for long stretches of rocky, loose gravel that were miserable to run on and ruined my shoes. Around the 5-mile turnaround, my Garmin showed the course running roughly a quarter-mile longer than expected. I can't verify the official measurement, but runners deserve confidence that a marathon course is accurate. The post-race logistics were unacceptable. After finishing a marathon, I had to walk more than a mile just to reach the shuttle area, then wait another 30-45 minutes for a shuttle. That is terrible planning and an awful way to treat exhausted runners at the finish. Between the rough course, my distance concern, and the badly managed transportation, I would not recommend this race. There are much better-organized events worth your time and money.
Sabrina as the race director did an awesome job in fact the whole Super Series staff was outstanding.
The course is a compact gravel railroad bed so I recommend wearing high end trail shoes.
Hilton Garden Inn in Issaquah was amazing!
Love starting off in the tunnel, it's always nice and cool inside. The volunteers are so supportive and the best! The course is beautiful! It's like running on trails without being technical. You get trees, tressels, and PNW beauty without being out in the middle of nowhere. The finish line support is unmatched. With the gradual downhill course, this race can't be beat!
Being a good headlamp for the tunnel. Wear thick sole shoes for the trail. It doesn't require trail shoes, but minimalist road shoes might hurt your feet. The course is packed down trail, so it's not technical and you don't really need gaitors.
Parking can be a little confusing, get there early. There are buses between the start and the finish.
This is a scenic and fun course to run. But the organization is poor. The flashlights they hand out at the tunnel entrance are pathetic. You may as well be running with a match. Runners near me could also not see well. Take a headlamp with you. You will need to see your way well as there are many potholes.
Take your own headlamp. They will not handle your headlamp, so you must carry it the whole way. But it is worth it. Do not trust the flashlight handouts. They are small, cheap flashlights. I lost 2-3 minutes in the tunnel not being able to see anything, but maybe the ground as I hit it. This is a real hazard!
Pay the parking fee. They send out someone to issue tickets. The race people do not tell you this. Don't count on any special grilled cheese sandwich as advertised. They were small, cold and plain. Eat something else instead.
This was a lovely marathon. The weather was perfect and the downhill is very gentle so it's not hard on the knees. The pacer I followed was very supportive and cheered as we passed each mile market. I was able to beat my previous marathon time from 6 months before by 8 minutes.
There was plenty of support along the trail in terms of water, gatorade, and gels.
There was even parking, so you didn't have to spend a long time bussing to the location. Lines for porta-potties were short.
Because it's only a few hundred runners and is along a trail with not a lot of access to cars, there's not much in the way of crowd support. But, I didn't mind that.
The tunnel section is quite surreal. If you live near the course, I'd recommend running through it before the race to get a sense of what it will be like. I found this the hardest part since I don't have great night vision. They give you a flashlight, but it's a little tricky to run at marathon pace and carry a flashlight.
I brought an extra light that clipped on my belt to help with the dark 2.5 mile tunnel.
