Skagit Flats Marathon - Race Reviews

This was my first Skagit Flats Marathon, having been on my list for a number of years. The course is F-L-A-T, this one certainly lives up to its name, but it's somewhat boring. Apart from a few pretty spots it is mainly farm fields & not a lot else to look at. Spectators are few, but the enthusiasm of the plentiful aid stations & road junctions are bright spots. It's definitely a 'Put your head down & run' kind of race. Especially if you do the full marathon as you will leave the crowds of runners behind when they split off to do the half. Mental toughness time. I definitely didn't like the 8:15 start time, it's way too late & is just an invite to slogging it out through growing heat & humidity. For early September race a 7am start is needed, IMO, preferably with a 6am early start option, too. BTW the finishers medal was GREAT, it made me smile. Will I do it again? only if the Start Time is changed, otherwise it's too masochistic for me.

The organization and support were top notch. The supplies and volunteers at the aid stations were as good as it gets. The race director and volunteers should be proud of the event they put on. Thank you for a great race!

This race is in my memory bank as a big positive. Starting with package pick up where they generously allowed me to swap out my men's shirt for a ladies. I prefer the 'V' neck. The pacer ran for the most part on her own, partly because I couldn't keep up, but wanted to. Plenty of aid stations, shirt, medal top notch. What an experience!

This was my first 1/2 Marathon. I had a great time and the organization in this race made that all possible. First off, there were lots of drink stations throughout the race. This gave plenty of opportunity to drink water and get some energy gel at the 1/2 marathon turn. There were lots of volunteers at each water station. The course was well marked, and although the race is run on open streets, they did a good job of directing traffic around the runners. After the race, there was plenty of room for spectators, and they had water available right at the finish line. There was a posted clock as well so we could see our finish time. Plenty of snacks were provided to racers as well, very nice variety of goodies. I plan on doing this race again next year. Great job everyone!

Wonderfully organized small race with a perfectly flat course, friendly volunteers and fellow runners, easy logistics and great shirt and medal. Unlike most small races, there are pacers too. Plenty of official and unofficial aid stations and a nice stadium finsih with nice food choices afterward. Maybe best of all were the free showers. The course was open and while most of the drivers were wonderful, there were a couple of drivers who need to learn some patience. The day was beautiful with sunny skies. Not much shade on course, so be prepared. All-in-all, a terrific small, fast race.

Great smaller race put on by runners. With over 25 marathons done , big and small, this one stands out as what running is about, just getting out there and running. Flat course, no crowds, pacers, water stations, marked, a peaceful, showers in high school, and nice medal. Fun finish on the track and many great post race restaurants in Bellingham .

I want to thank all the volunteers that made this race a huge hit this year. As I read the comments I realize there are a lot of people that need to be pampered. This was my 7th marathon. I have ran New York, Chicago, R&R Seattle, and a couple of small races in the Seattle area. Once I started running small races I realized this is what marathoning is all about. I don't need to be pampered. I sign up for races because I like the challenge. If it is windy, if is is hot, if there is ice, they are all challenges that 'I' must overcome. The race this year was awesome. The fog in the morning, the smell of salt water by the turnaround, the views of Mount Baker, the berry fields, horse pastures, farm land all give this race ambiance, and it takes me away. So the guy that complainted about the shirt that was too small, get real buddy, the lack of crowds, what did you expect!!! Wind, dust, heat, sun, blah blah blah, RUN MORE, train right, and run marathons because you like a challenge. This race was amazing, lot's of water, gel, food at the aid stations, porta potties (and I needed one) and it is chipped timed. Not very many small races have chip timing.

I ran the marathon this year. The course was well marked every mile marker exactly where it should be, great volunteers, water every 2 to 3 miles, nice fog in the am, a little hot (72 maybe) in the pm. I made my goal thanks to my great pacer. I have ran over 150 marathons and can always tell a race put on by runners, all the little things that matter were there. The food at the end was great in a nice covered area. The medal was amazing. I love small races that pay attention to detail. The big corporate marathons could learn a lot from a 'Runners Race.

I, like many runners was looking for a BQ this year and thought Skagit would be a fairly fast course plus would have pacers to help me through. Well, several of the pacers decided not to show up race morning, including mine. I was really counting on him or her. I generally don't run smaller marathons. I like the crowds, I like the support. I like knowing that if they say something will be there, it will. Nice medal, crappy short sleeve shirt that ran at least one size small. Never again.

Not a bad race. No expo, just a packet pick-up. The course is super flat, but be careful... That sea breeze can be a bear! Pretty much no spectators, but the ones that were there were great. I never though I would suggest this, but bring your headphones. It's just you and the grape vines for many miles.

What a spectacular setting - running past fields of blueberries and broccoli, eyed by palominos and eagles, ringed by snowy mountains and the Sound - Wow! I loved the intimacy of a smaller event, easy cheering by my devoted family, and the generous shower in the high school locker room afterward. Came to qualify for Boston and met my goal. Thanks to Eliza for finding me this gem of a race. Skagit Flats will always be a special place for me.

I knew that this race would be flat but did not anticipate the wind which was strong and blew up dust clouds to run through. It was either a headwind or crosswind. Although I usually run alone I found this race to be very lonely. I ran the full and it was not often that I was with others and the flatness and low black clouds seemed to make it more lonely. The water stations were plentiful and had good volunteers. Other than this the race had no atmosphere. At the finish the medal was handed to me almost as an after thought. The food was just some chips, apples and brown bread with nothing on it and was dry by the time I finished. I realize this is a small race but really it is just like a long training run and is not for someone who likes the feel and excitement of a race. The pacers did an excellent job even when they had no one to pace they were cheerful. The best thing about this race was the singing of the national anthem at the start line. The man had an excellent voice and although I am not an American I found this to be very moving. Also they had nice shirts and medals.

Ran my second Skagit Valley Marathon (and half as it is the same course , just turns at half way mark). I have to say you appreciate when the race organizer is a runner and they know what runners expect, marked course , water stations every 3 miles, parking , showers, and nice finish on the track. This year they had pacer runners which was great. Yes it is a small race and flat but you know that going in and thats the beauty of this race. We done and I will be back.

Skagit Flats was my first marathon, and I had a wonderful experience. It definitely was a hot day in 2011 but the crew responded appropriately for the safety of the runners - I will never forget the water bottles being tossed from the back of the truck! The snacks on the course were great (oranges, pretzels, chips and watermelon) and the post-race snacks were decent. One very unique thing about this race was the access to the locker room at the high school. I was able to shower off after the race, change into dry clothes and head off to Olive Garden for a fabulous post-race meal with my family. I'm training for my second full in May this spring, but will keep this race in mind for the end of the summer. It is definitely a keeper!

Enjoyed this race , heat was beyond their control but quaint small race and organizers who run and know how to treat their runners. Great flat course and a good place to PR or BQ Went to fair haven for lunch after , a very nice race day !

The course is very flat. I actually enjoyed the out and back because there was no crowding and it was fun to see everyone. The on-course attendants were very friendly and did a great job. No problem with water, gu, etc. The small size of this marathon is both the positive and negative. I felt part of the small local running community and yet missed the big crowds of larger venues. It would have been better to start at 7am, but no one would expect heat issues here in September. Overall a very nice run. Thank you volunteers!

This was my 10th marathon. Well organized, friendly race. Flat out-and-back course, but morning haze prevented views of the Cascades. The 2011 race was on the hottest day of the year. One aid station ran out of water, but I wasn't more than 3 minutes past it when the organizers came by with a truck, passing out water! Nice touches included being greeted by name as I passed through several aid stations, and having water bottles placed in shady areas between aid stations because it was so warm. Highly recommended unless you are trying to BQ and are sensitive to heat. Starting at 7 AM instead of 8 would be very helpful.

I ran this race in 2011. Loved it. It is flat and fast. We had warm weather, but I still managed to PR by 3mi40s and to qualify for Boston with 4min46s to spare. The date the race takes place is ideal for the new Boston registration procedure, as it runs the last week-end before registration, giving you one last chance to qualify before registration opens. The organization runs smoothly and the shirt and medal for the commemorative 9/11 edition were beautiful. The race is not big, 300 runners for the full, 500 for the half, so once the half marathoners turn around, some section can get lonely. However the course is an out and back, which allows you to see the race leaders and people behing you. There was some head wind on the way out, and it got warmer on the way back, but there were plenty of well stocked aid stations, and the organizers made sure to adapt the supplies to the warm weather (they provided S-caps, GU brew and spray stations). Not many spectators, but that's to be expected given the rural course. I will come back if my schedule allows it. Bigger races could take example from that race.

The 2010 race was my first 1/2M and I was very pleased with the event. Great aid station crews - loved that some of the kids would read my bib and cheer for me by name! The finish line at the football field was fun and well organized. Also, nice that the crowd had covered seating for the rain. The course was country quiet, and if you aren't used to the smell of wet rolled hay, that could throw you a little. This course's biggest challenge is the mental game. You can see way off in the distance at runner's ahead and think, "I have to run *how far* and then I'm still not done?" Not much to look at, so zoning out is your only distraction. The flat course is nice if you haven't had a chance to train on hills. Overall, I really enjoyed the race and staff - I'll be back again for the 34th!

This was my first Skagit Flats Marathon and it was a great one! Very well organized. The volunteers were great, friendly and enthusiastic - even in the pouring rain. I'll definitely be back next year. I'm hoping for some sunshine and a BQ.

The out-and-back course, which runs through farmland, is pancake flat and has very few turns. There are plenty of water stops, manned by enthusiastic people, right up to the very end. There was lots of food left for us back-of-the pack runners, and we were treated as warmly as if we had come in first. My sincere thanks to Terry, who corrected a small glitch in record time and e-mailed me her response immediately. The location, close to the Cascade Mountain range, is wonderful for exploring and spending an extra day. I recommend this marathon very highly. My one suggestion is that the start be earlier.

This course was pretty, if you like the country. The roads are rounded, so you have to run in center or off of the road. There was a bit of traffic, but what was hard is that it does not start till 8 a.m., so it makes it very hot! There are no trees for shade and very long country roads. The marathon is very quiet, and there's not a lot of crowd motivation. The finish area was not the best, and there was no excitement either. The food comprised breads, trail mix and bananas. This is definitely a smaller-scale marathon, and not one I would do again. The people at the water stations were really sweet but laid back. The whole race had a real laid back feeling, which made it hard for me to stay motivated; but some may like this. I highly recommend that they start this race earlier!!

Many nice things about this race were wonderful, including an open, uncluttered course with great views. The aid stations were attentive through the very end. One minor negative is that race marshals didn't enforce the "run on the right" rule while the field was running against each other around the middle of the race.

This year, I ran my first half-marathon and I must say, I really enjoyed it! I live very close to the route and it has a nice bit of scenery! I did like the flat course, while it did seem to be taking forever at times, but I am glad I ran it! Next year I will be back and I'm planning on doing the full marathon. The organization was good, and my only beef was that no one was cheering at the end or clapping, with the exception of my mom and boyfriend. But other than that, I really enjoyed the aid stations, many volunteers and nice weather!

I stopped at the finisher's clock reading "4:05:58" and was told by race officials to continue past the clock; by then, my time was 4:06:04. I needed a 4:05:59 for BQ. How can this race be a BQ without a timing chip?! I will not run a BQ again without official timing.

John Denver was right: Sunshine on my shoulder makes me happy. Sunshine in my eyes makes me about 15 degrees hotter. This is a great little race in Burlington, WA. Burlington is on I-5 roughly midway between Seattle & Vancouver. From a logistics standpoint, it is the best. The packet pickup, start, and finish are all at a high school about a quarter mile off the freeway, easy to get to, with plenty of parking and showers. Due to road construction (which was suppose to be completed), the course was altered. In years past and future (I think), it is primarily an out-and-back, with the first and last mile and a half being different. In 2008, it was an out and back, with an extra 200 yards at the end to get to the finish in the high school stadium. The race is a combined half & full marathon (with about 300 & 200 participants), with a single start. The first mile of the race, the road is closed to traffic, then you run on the side of the road for the remaining 25 or 12 miles. The half runners turn around at 6 1/2 miles in, while the full runners continue. The course is through farm land, except for the first and last mile. Many comment about the cars going by too fast, but in my 3 times doing this race, I haven't had any problems (one piece of gravel would probably change my opinion). Typically the cars slow down. As the race name suggest, it is flat. I imagine that the only race course that is flatter is Bonneville Salt Flats. The start and finish lines are about 200 yards apart as the crow flies. In previous years, after passing over the start line (after 25 1/2 miles), you think you have 200 yards and figure that there isn't a 26-mile marker. Then you find out that you need to run all the way around the school. That is the biggest gripe I have. It was announced at the start of the race (at least my second time), but most first-timers don't hear it, and for all competitors, it is still a downer. With either the old or the new course, only the first and last half-mile are east of the freeway; the balance is on the west side. I don't do too well in heat. When I woke up, I saw that it was foggy/cloudy. I was disappointed when I arrived at the high school to clear skies. The first half of the race (full or half marathon) consists of running either west, or north, with your back to the sun. After the turnaround, you essentially face the sun and heat up. At 8:00 it was 57F/14C, at noon 72F/22C, both times with full sun and minimal wind. There was minimal shade on the course. On the way out, you face the San Juans, and on the way back, the Cascades. Due to the modified course (again it was last-minute), I think the mile markers were off, as my split times were a bit suspect (fast and slow), and those with GPS systems were not beeping at the mile markers. I do think that, when all was said and done, people did run 26.22 or 13.11 miles The aid stations were about every two miles, with water and some Gatorade-like fluid (that I had never heard of and tasted awful). I believe that they were all manned by the local high school cross-country teams (and who the race benefits). There was also energy gel at a few. As mentioned, there are showers in the high school locker room, but for some reason, there was no hot water this year. It was fun to see a new person every minute or so. In the end, people left cleaner, but not clean. In past years, there was hot water. As with other races, the volunteers and law enforcement are wonderful and do a fantastic job. It was also great to see Bob Dolphin doing his at 78; he's an inspiration to all of us. He got a special mention at the start. I don't recall the exact number of this marathon for him, but it is in the mid 400's I wouldn't come from Pittsburgh or Topeka to do this race (though I ran a mile or so with a person from Florida who did and really liked it), but if you live in the Puget Sound or Lower Mainland, this is one to mark on your calendar. Good organization, flat course, easy to get to, and it features showers at the end (even with cold water, it is better than nothing)!

The race was well organized with a great location for parking and showers after the event. It was not super spectator-friendly. On the way out, the wind was in my face. At the turn-around, it was much warmer since the wind was at my back. It was starting to feel hot toward the end of the race. Cars are on the roads, so be careful. It wasn't a problem, but you do want to keep toward the shoulder. Nice shirt and finisher medal.

This is an extremely flat course. If you like rural runs, this is one of the most beautiful I've seen. Don't be fooled by the flatness though; the course felt relentless at times. It was hot and seemed to go by slowly, but that's country running for ya! There were some cool horses, cows, and raspberries to look at though. Be prepared for a strong headwind around miles 10-13. It may slow you down a bit.

As they said before, it was flat as a pancake. With that, there were no variations on the scenery. It was hard on the legs. One piece of advice: train on the same terrain as you are going to run on. This race was not as exciting as I was expecting it to be. But if you don't mind the terrain, this might be good for you. My time was under 5 hours and by the time I crossed the line, there was still food there that looked it had been outside all day long on the sun. It did not look that good. There was nobody to welcome you, as at other races. You finish and you get your medal and that's it. Support was good could have been better. This was my first marathon and I wish it would have been a more exciting race.

This is a great race for those who like small-town marathons with a club feeling. Organization was excellent. The country roads are a little rough on the legs, but it is flat, as advertised. It was windy and hot for the second half this year. Aid stations and finish line were well-manned and the shirts/trophies/prizes were first-class.

If you are looking to PR or just like running on flat pavement, this is the marathon for you. The weather started out nice and cool, but by the 3rd hour the sun was blazing and it was getting warm (2006). I thought the aid stations were well-stocked and numerous in the first half, but more minimal in the second half, especially at the very end. (It seemed like few and far between.) I also thought the end of the marathon was poorly directed (so-so marked)... they could've had more people directing you. But the organization was excellent and food at the finish was yummy. I don't think the scenery is outstanding - your typical rural-ish backdrop of flat fields with Mt. Baker in the far distance. I actually probably wouldn't run this one again, primarily because it wasn't that exciting and seemed to go on foreverrrrr.

This is a quintessential small-town maraton on lovely, FLAT, rural roads, organized by an enthusastic and knowledgeable club. The course was very well marked (except the last 1/2 - 1 mile) and the aid stations were well stocked. The awards were FANTASTIC!!! Great job!

I guess I just don't get the comments about the finishing mile being poorly marked. I just looked down at the ground at the ORANGE arrows and cones. I followed them to the finish and only ran 26.2 miles. I had a great time. I am a 5+ hour marathon runner. I was very surprised to see they not only had food left when I crossed the finish line, but tons of food. There were muffins, bread, watermelon, bananas, apples, Baker's cookies, and Talking Rain juices. The tables were stocked! I think Skagit Runners did a great job of putting on this event and I will be back next year!

From about mile 25 to the finish, there weren't any markers (orange cones) or people directing you to the finish. So, in this case, I ran an ultra - 26.8 miles. That is my only suggestion for next year. Please mark the finish mile better. If you are afaid of cars whizzing by, this is not a good race for you. Overall I thought it was beautiful, rustic and very peaceful. Very nice change from running with huge crowds of people.

The RD was right on the money - this was one flat and rural route and certainly was the reason I was able to PR. Weather was absolutely perfect!! Virtually no spectators, but that was pretty much expected. The course was an out-and-back, which I liked because I was able to distract myself by watching all of the fast runners heading back while I was heading out. Also made me not feel so alone out there. :-) The aid stations were very basic but well stocked. Most of the aid stations were enthusiastic.... Just a few run by some of the high-schoolers that didn't appear to really want to be there. The ending was horrible and the main reason I gave the course and organization only 3 stars. It was poorly (or not at all) marked and not a soul was around to help direct us to the finish line. There was no one in front of me so I had no one to follow. Luckily when I yelled back to a runner behind me that I didn't know which way to go, a driver-by heard me and directed me to the finish line. The finish line food was again very basic, but well stocked for us back-of-the-pack runners.

Very Simple: A better opportunity for a PR or to qualify for Boston does NOT exist.

This marathon is the best kept secret in the great Northwest. The organization and marathon staff aim to please and do they ever! Shirts, medals, support and after marathon treats were terrific. If you want to experience hospitality at it's best come to the Skagit Valley marathon.