Catch your breath for the following Kirkland Half Marathon Run & Walk bulletins:
- Some 2,500 runners, joggers, walkers and dashers will be working up a sweat Sunday at the event, which starts and finishes at and includes a half marathon run and walk (13.1 miles), 5k run/walk (3.1 miles) and a free Kids Dash.
- Mr. Weatherman is forecasting phenomenal conditions, with fair skies and temperatures likely in the high 50s/low 60s during the actual runs and walks, topping out in the high 70s later in the day, likely well after the race.
- Kirkland Patch will be there! No, we’re not running this one, as we did the . But we will be staffing a booth, talking about what we do and giving away very cool stainless steel water bottles and tote bags (great for loading up with race swag) to all who sign up for our free daily email newsletter.
- The city of Kirkland is advising motorists to expect delays along the course (see the attached map) from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
"We have bleachers at the finish. They're not very big, but they give it a more festive atmosphere," said Garrett Slettebak, spokesman for the run. "About 70 percent of the race participants are female, so there are definitely a lot of moms. One of the cool things we do is have a sign-making station, and that adds another dynamic."
The race began in 2005 with 629 runners, and last year had 2,467 participants.
The Kirkland shop sponsors a Dog Competition, with prizes going to the fastest male and female finishers with dogs in the 5k run. And the short Kids Dash is a fun event for the little ones.
The half marathon walk is the first wave, starting at 7 a.m. The half marathon runs follows at 7:30 a.m., with the 5K run/walk at 8 and the Kids Dash at 9:30. Wrapping it up is the awards ceremony at 9:45 a.m.
The fee for the half marathon is $45 for pre-registration through May 12, and $75 day-of, with registration and packet pickup beginning at 6 a.m. The 5k run/walk costs $30 pre and $40 day-of, and the starting gun for that fires at 8 a.m.
And of course all participants get a cool T-shirt, and half marathon finishers a medal as well.
The half course heads north from the Juanita Beach start (near ), and generally wraps around south Juanita, then heads south through Kirkland and Houghton before returning along Lake Washington Boulevard and Market Street. The 5k course heads almost immediately south on Market and winds through the West of Market Neighborhood, returning via Juanita Bay Park.
The city is advising drivers that Juanita Drive Northeast and Northeast 120th Street will be closed from 6 a.m. until about noon, and lane closures will be in effect along the rest of the course until about 11 a.m.
For registration and other race details, see the race website here.
Be sure to stop by the Kirkland Patch booth at Juanita Beach Park. Editor Greg Johnston will be entertaining comments and questions and giving away cool stuff, along with associate regional editor Margaret Santjer and others of the Patch crew.
