Pumpkin Pie Marathon & 50K
Thursday, November 26, 2020
On Thursday, run a new course on the Interurban north paved bike trail from north Seattle to south Everett and back.
Race starts at N. 110th and Fremont Ave. N. in north Seattle. The north Interurban Trail is marked and paved and will take us to south Everett before we turn around and head back to our cars. Marathoners will turn around before 164th street while 50Kers get to experience more of the trail north. There are a couple of places where you get to run on the road and sidewalks where the trail does not exist so download the map (see below) to your phone or bring the directions with you on the run. Several stores are along the way for you to buy special treats and liquids. I will stash some water and snacks at the marathon turn around.
After you finish there will be Pumpkin Pie to enjoy.
https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/3458082460 Marathon Route
https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/3458107333 50K Route
Coronavirus COVID-19 Expectations
In order to keep everyone healthy and safe please follow these expectations:
Day 1 Pumpkin Pie Course - Interurban North Trail
Mapmyrun has a feature that if you load the link onto your phone it will show you a map and help you stay on course. You may want to download Mapmyrun app to your phone and then load the route so you can access it on race day.
https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/3458082460 Marathon Route
https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/3458107333 50K Route
Or follow these directions.
Trail begins at 110th N. and Fremont Ave. N. in north Seattle. There should be plenty of parking along the side streets nearby. There have been construction portapotties in the area but no official restroom so take care of your business before you arrive to the start.
Start anytime between 7 and 8 AM. If you have COVID-19 symptoms stay home. When near people or passing people please wear a face covering to keep everyone safe.
You will go north on the trail. There are several street crossings, so please follow the traffic signals and be careful. Just after crossing 130th street and one mile into your adventure you will see a playground and park on your left, this is Bitter Lake and there are portapotties available as the BRs are closed.
Continue north on the trail. The trail will take you over two busy streets so stay on the trail and use the trail overpasses. You will eventually end up on the east side of Highway 99, still heading north.
Continue north on the trail. When you near 185th, the trail turns to the right, and you should too, go right past Bartells, go one block to the next light, go LEFT to cross the street and continue heading north on the trail.
Just before 5 miles into the run, Echo Lake will be on your left and on your right will be a bathroom. When you reach N. 200th, take a RIGHT. This is one of the times when the trail does not exist and you get to run on the sidewalk which is quite uprooted so watch your footing carefully.
Go up the hill and down and when you get to the light at Meridian Way, cross both ways, go a couple hundred feet and the trail re-emerges on your left, go LEFT and head north. At the bottom of this steep trail you will reach a very busy street, Highway 104 or 244th. Use the lights and go straight across the street. Stay on the right side of the street where there is a sidewalk. After a few blocks you will see the trail re-emerge on your right, take an angled RIGHT to go on the trail and head north.
The trail will take you by Lake Ballinger. A bit after Lake Ballinger (maybe a third of a mile) you will come to a cross street 228th SW. This is where the half marathoners get to turn around and go back. Marathoners and 50Kers continue north.
Heading north, the trail crosses streets and you just have to stay on the trail and carefully cross streets. You eventually get to the old Lynnwood Park and Ride, the trail kind of circles up and over a busy street, again stay on the trail. The trail then takes you up parallel to I-5. If it is a nice day the mountains are beautiful from this high point, Olympics, Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker. The weather will likely suck so don't count on any views.
The trail then goes parallel to I-5 and will seem to end at a road behind Kohls, take a right and you will see the trail emerge behind Target. The trail eventually veers to the left and goes down a hill behind Target. At the bottom of the hill after you go a few hundred yards you will see across the street (off course) a convenience store if you need it. Turn RIGHT on Maple Rd. and go under the freeway. Again this is a part of the trail where there is no trail, you are on the wide shoulder of the road. Follow this up and over the freeway, use the pedestrian path on the bridge and just after the bridge the bushes have encroached onto the shoulder so be careful for about 500 feet until you get to the stop sign. Take a RIGHT on Butternut Rd. and go downhill 20-30 yards and on your right you will rejoin the trail as it parallels I-5 now on the other side of the freeway.
You are almost there, to the turn around. Follow the trail as it goes up. When the trail veers right, follow it and look for the box of snacks and water. This is the marathoners turn around. Use hand sanitizer and grab and snack and water and then retrace your steps back to the start.
50Kers, continue up the hill. At the top of the hill, turn LEFT. Go north to the stop light, straight through the stop light at 164th St SW. Continue north, the trail will re-emerge on your left. Take the trail north till your turn around. The trail makes a slight right hand veer at 15.55 miles. Turn around. Then return the same way you came out.