North Olympic Discovery Marathon
Google Maps (very cool) - click here
Detailed PDF Maps:
These maps are great for driving directions and to use if you come over for a training run. Thank you Tom Shindler for the great detail!
Map 1 Marathon Start at Carrie Blake Park in Sequim to Railroad Bridge Park (Marathon Miles 1 - 8)
Map 2 Railroad Bridge Park to Robin Hill Park (Marathon Miles 9 - 12)
Map 3 Robin Hill Park to Siebert Creek (Marathon Miles 13 - 16)
Half Marathon Start at Storm King Soccer Fields, Agnew to Siebert Creek (Half Marathon Miles 1 - 3)
Map 4 Siebert Creek to Deer Park Overlook (Marathon Miles 17 - 21) and (Half Marathon Miles 4 - 8)
Map 5 Deer Park Overlook to Finish! (Marathon Miles 22 - 26) and (Half Marathon Miles 9 - 13)
Maps and Directions to Race Starts:
Half Marathon - Agnew Soccer Fields
Full Marathon - Carrie Blake Park in Sequim
Course Description:
OK here you go. Larry’s personal strategies for running a fast time on the North Olympic Discovery Marathon. (Remember, this advice is free and worth about the same as it costs, nothing). Half marathoners, obviously pay attention to the second half of the description.
Marathon:
Mile 1-4
You start out on a wide flat road next to Carrie Blake Park in Sequim. Turning east after about ¼ mile there will be a gradual uphill to the first aid station. At about 2mi you will be at the high point of the day. Use this section to feel out your legs and establish your race pace. Most of you are experienced enough not to get caught up in the opening race jitters and go out too fast.
Mile 4-16
From here until mile 16 is amazing. The course is a gradual downhill back to the start area. You will run through downtown Sequim and on towards Railroad Bridge Park and the Dungeness River where you cross over a beautiful trestle bridge and onto the Discovery Trail. Here the trail is flat and wide with great footing. Don’t forget to look around at the river, the mountains and the fields during this section from Sequim to Mile 16. You should be able to cruise this section! Establish a fast pace and enjoy! The only hill is a slight drop and climb at McDonnell Creek, a very pretty area just past the 13 mile mark.
Half Marathon Start
The Half Marathon will start at the Agnew Soccer Fields this year. Below is a detailed description of the route for you Type A’s. It’s all flat but there is a dogleg with a 180 degree turn after ¾ mi. Seed yourself accurately for your pace. We didn’t like throwing in a dogleg this early but from an overall course design and safety view it made the most sense to the half start design team. After your start, the first 3 miles are flat and fast.
Mile 16-20, Marathon - Mile 3-7 ½ Half Marathon
Take my advice and check out this section ahead of time. You start out with a bang! Sieberts Creek. The creek beds here are steep! BUT SHORT. Be aware that these creek beds are coming. Don’t lose your focus and don’t allow yourself to go anaerobic. You just got through a section where you will be able to get ahead of pace. This is where you can back off. Walk the hills out of Seibert (~mile 16) and Bagley Creek (~mile 20) and dehydrate. This section is rolling, shady and forested. Bears have frequented the course but I wouldn’t be too worried race day.
Mile 20-Finish, Marathon – Mile 7-Finish , Half Marathon
At the Morse Creek overlook you will begin a fast running descent to the Morse Creek Bridge. If this section doesn’t inspire you nothing will. Here you leave the roads. Cross the bridge which is another old RR Trestle over Morse Creek, a real jewel flowing out of the Olympics. There is a < 1/2 mile section of gravel road (footing is still fine) that is fully canopied over with large maple. The trial turns west and runs right along the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the finish (one blip more on that in a minute). This section is newly paved asphalt that reminds me of a track surface. Look for the Jamestown tribal canoes out on the water. We frequently see otters, seals and a wide variety of coastal water fowl. There have been whales (both Orca and Grey) off shore here. Now for the blip. It looks like you are going to cruise right into town. There is an old mill site that the trail has to by pass however. The course takes a <1/2 mile detour away from the water. It’s a bit of a surprise if you aren’t aware that it’s there. The final aid station is immediately across Ennis Creek. You can drive to this parking area to preview the mill site detour.
The last mile is flat and fast and is right on the water. You can see and hear the finish!
This truly is a great course! There is variety and beauty. To run a full or half marathon is hard, so expect to be tired at the finish. Be prepared for the hilly section and you can set a PR on this course, a lot have been set here.