Wenatchee Marathon - Race Reviews

Lots of rolling hills for the full marathon. The description even in the certificate says lowest is 200 meters, highest 210 meters. With only a difference of “32 ft” I did not expect getting a 1,656 ft of elevation gain. My app said it was more like 80 ft difference. By the time I finished they had runout of 2025 medals, so I got a 2023 medal instead. It got warm pretty quick especially with the hills. I would suggest starting the marathon at 7, then 8. Other than that it was a beautiful scenery with the mountains to the north, and the apple trees in bloom. Aid stations and volunteers were great.

Well done for a small race. The scenery was beautiful! LOVED the finish over the bridge! The course did not get boring even though it was 2 loops (other runners & races going on at the same time were beneficial to runners supporting each other as spectators were minimal). The only improvement I would suggest is the award for age group winners (as we received the same glass everyone else got just to participate).

This was a good race, but a rather small participation. The two loops around the Columbia River were large enough that I didn't feel like I was running in the same place the whole time. Support was adequate and despite not having any crowds it felt like those involved were very supportive. There were a lot of rolling hills; the race isn't flat, but none of the hills were very long. If you like smaller races, this is a good one to consider.

Race course is NOT flat. Race aide stations were not 2 miles apart and I was told by a race director they were 3 miles apart but there was one area with rolling hills, no shade and no water to be found and it was longer than 3 maybe 4 or more miles luckily I had a fuel belt and refilled my bottles which takes time off your pace. Volunteer at expo giving out bibs was very unwelcoming and rude. Then the pace groups were no longer going to be there. But I made an awesome friend we ran strong and supported one another and all ended well. A few nice volunteers but over all I would not recommend due to dishonestly about the course and lack of support. It's also a 3hr drive from Seattle not 2 like I was told. WA has so many other marathons to choose from, go with something else.

I chose this race for my spring marathon this year, as the reviews were great and the course looked beautiful. It really was - great views of the mountains and river throughout! Unfortunately, for me, this year had unexpected high temperatures and heat which really affected my race. I was sunburnt and heat-stroked even before the halfway mark. As the pathway is asphalt around the river, the high temperatures felt even hotter, the sun kept getting higher, the air felt stale, I did not feel a breeze and there was no shade. Of course, the weather and temperature is not the responsibility of the race organizers. It would have been great if a few extra aid stations could have been added when high temperatures were predicted, however, I also understand the limitations of a small race. I did see a number of medical aid attendants on bikes throughout the course. And the aid stations that were on the course were well-stocked and supported by local teams of enthusiastic children - very adorable and always made me smile, even with my sunstroke. My disappointment lies with the treatment (or lack thereof) I received once I finished my race. I stumbled straight to the First Aid tent. The man and woman at the tent barely acknowledged me when I asked if I could sit down. The man disappeared and the woman gave me a couple bags of ice, then turned her back and continued to rummage around with whatever else she was doing. My friends and family were with me, and tried to engage her with, explaining that I was a Type 1 Diabetic. At no point did she engage with me directly to make me answer any questions or follow up with my family's concerns regarding my diabetes. A few minutes later, she disappeared all together. I continued to lay there for 45 minutes under ice bags, before I felt well enough to sit up. The First Aid attendant never came back. I understand that small races rely on the support of volunteers, and can appreciate a smaller scale event has less resources. My recommendation would be to ensure that the First Aid tent at the finish is as adequate and helpful as the attendants out and about on bikes.

I chose this marathon because it is held on Saturday. So few Saturday marathons these days! The weather was perfect  started out in the mid 40s and finished in the high 50s. You could feel a bit of a breeze when you crossed the Columbia River and headed north on the far side of the course, but the wind was a non-factor. The trail is paved and in perfect condition  flat, no camber, no raised roots. Others have described how scenic the loop is and how it helps having seen the course second time around, but is worth noting there is no significant change in elevation. The 10K, half, and full were well organized to minimize congestion and I think everyone got the 10th annual tech hoodie which was an appreciated bonus since I signed up less than three weeks before the race. Free public parking is available 100 yards from the start/finish which was incredibly convenient. The volunteers were extremely nice and aid stations were about every two miles which seemed perfect. Again, very well organized. I had read some complaints from previous years, but those seemed to have been addressed.

A Marathon is an epic in any runner's career. Many events don't seem to realize this, but Wenatchee has it in spades. This gorgeous trail is a 10 mile loop crossing two bridges on the Columbia River, so you do it twice and believe me it's worth getting two looks, it's also nice because you can gauge where you need to focus for the last time around the course. The scenery is breathtaking, one side is manicured with statues and the other side is left undisturbed and natural, the best of both worlds. The weather was nice and cool for the start and then a nice breeze came along later. The volunteers were superb and even had Nutri-grain bars to supplement GU-gel. It wasn't a big event and it wasn't too small, but to me it was EPIC!

Race went great. Love the river trail. Signed up early to get my shirt. Finished the race and they didn't have one in my size. They said they would send me one. After several emails they said they could not get one. Gave me wine glasses instead. Said I could have free entry in next marathon. Several emails more I got the wine glasses. Nothing about free entry in next marathon after a year later. Just beware run fast or you might not get a shirt no matter how early you put your entry form in.

This was my first Wenatchee marathon & it won't be the last. This was a beautiful run, with snow capped peaks, blue skies & the ever present Lake Wenatchee. I did have problems finding parking close to the start line & ended up quite a few blocks away. IMO there should have been better directions for event parking, but it's not a huge issue & I'm sure that a little exploration & preparation would turn up some more suitable parking spots. The race Starting Area is small & the small pack of runners mixed between 10K & Full Marathon, which seemed an odd combination but was no big deal. This is a Chip Timed event so you get an accurate finish time & while the chip is large it is really no more substantial than a piece of plasticised paper. This is very light & comfortable to wear, much more comfortable than some races where it's a strap around your ankle & there's a risk of chafing & even blisters. The Aid Stations were a bit spotty, I got the feeling they were a little too far apart & there was one section where they definitely were too far apart. However the sport drink was the reasonably palatable Powerade Ice, not my favourite Lemon-Lime but thankfully NOT 'Cherry' which has to be the most disgusting, gut churning flavour I've ever tasted & should be avoided at all costs. One up for Wenatchee to think of that. Occasionally Gu or Gel packs were handed out too. There's no supporters or crowds & some route junctions were not manned with people to tell you where to go. Luckily brightly coloured, adhesive markers were placed along the route & it was fairly easy to follow. What wasn't followed by some, especially walkers, was etiquette. In several places the trail narrows & early on, on one bridge in particular you had runners coming back towards you. Several times I had walkers who were making it impossible for others to get through as they took up as much space as possible, this was even despite calling out 'Left!' or 'Right!' several times. Marshalls really need to educate slower participants about making sure they don't block the trail for those trying to pass. The course loops around at the 4 mile point & you have to be aware of this for the Full Marathon or otherwise you're taking part in the 10K! Then you do 2 circuits of the lake, something that can play with some people's minds. There's no steep or long hills, the worst climb is where the trail climbs up to the bridge on the east of the lake. Apart from that it is gently rolling, nothing too steep or too long to run up & easy enough on your legs to be able to coast down the other side. It's not a fantastically fast course though as you're pretty much always going up or down. The Finish Line is surprisingly low key & something of a surprise as you have to turn off the trail at the last minute & cross a bridge. The result is you don't see it until the last 100 yards. WHAM! It's suddenly all over. You get a good looking medal & a great T shirt (are you LISTENING Capitol City Marathon????) then there's plenty of snacks & drinks to feast on. This wasn't my quickest run as an injury flared up again & I did struggle with the heat that built up later in the day, a situation exacerbated by spotty water stops. However others may find this course suits them more. Either way it was a delight to participate in this race & it's on my calendar for next year.

This was a very scenic, virtually traffic-free race. The course is along the water the entire time. The weather was beautiful and the snow-capped mountains were stunning. Medical support was present, along with hydration and GU at mile 6.5. Lots of "real" restrooms - this was a nice change from porta-potties. The communication about the run and events were great. The finish was climactic and rewarding. The zip-up hoody was a very nice treat instead of another T or tech shirt. I will be back for this run. Nice work to the organizers of this race!!!

This was my first Wenatchee Marathon and I will definitely go back! I really have absolutely nothing negative to say about this race. The course was amazing beautiful - the lake, the snow capped mountains, the trees - breathtaking. Good mix of rolling hills and flats. Aid stations were well stocked with both water and powerade. Gu gels given out twice! Awesome finish line where you cross the bridge and can see the time pulling you home. I loved that! Spectators were minimal, but the ones that were out were great. Don't do this marathon if you need to be 'entertained' the whole way. Packet pick-up and race day logistics were a breeze! Easy parking for everything and easy in & out on race day. We sat in our car until 15 minutes prior to the race start and then went INSIDE to use REAL bathrooms before meandering to the start line. Seriously doesn't get any better than that! Was a perfect weather day for running - blue skies & temps at 46 - 65 degrees throughout. Do this marathon!

It was the most rewarding experience of my young life.

I ran the half marathon, and it was my first race. I really liked the scenery but would have liked to run with a larger group.

I loved this marathon. It takes place on a ten-mile loop around the Wenatchee Marathon (you run it twice, plus a three mile out-and-back repeat to start), but it was a lovely loop. The start side is fairly flat, but the other bank is hilly - like ripples almost. Still, great support, great organization. My time was posted probably fewer than five minutes after I crossed the finish line. It could use more signs, though - I almost missed the turn onto the first bridge. Other than that, it was great!

This is a small but well run marathon. Very little awareness in town that the race was taking place. The course is rolling, with no major hills. It also is not flat. A little hill training will help. The race is mostly run on paved bike paths, so there is no competition with traffic for use of the road. There are not a lot of participants so you may be running by yourself towards the end. If you are looking to run with a crowd choose a large marathon like Portland. The volunteers did a great job staffing the water stations - good enthusiasm, and they were always ready (...they performed their duties while it was snowing for about the first hour... not common weather for late April). Water stations were well spaced. The only real negative is that the sports drink was mixed a little thin. Plenty of port-a-potties at the start and available through the race. Overall, a job well done!

I have run this several times. I enjoy the run because it is a small community event. The run is mostly flat and scenic. A good way to start the season.

A good run... but with so few other runners and basically no spectators it felt like a very long solo training run most of the time. This made the second time around the river (last 10 miles) pretty tedious. Nobody in Wenatchee seemed to be aware of the run... an opportunity missed to build a larger run and showcase Wenatchee. Caution: There don't seem to be many good dinner restaurants... and those we tried to get to were swamped. So, go to dinner VERY early or make reservations. (We went to Vansettis at 5:30 and got a seating estimate of 8:30, so we ended up elsewhere with a long wait, harried service and a mediocre dinner.) I was uncertain whether to do this one based on reading the negative comments about the 2006 "sticker" medal. This year's custom, all-metal medal is fine, especially considering the small number of runners.

I enjoyed running next to the river. Course was quite undulating on the east side. Main problem was lack of bathrooms or port-a-potties on the east side. Eight miles is a long stretch without seeing one. Mass start for all the races a bit annoying. Tough race with the wind in your face on the east side of the river twice. Weather got too hot for me also. An earlier start time might be better. Also the medal was of very poor quality. I liked the shirt since it's CoolMax-type, and the white color helps keeps you cool.

This was my first-ever full marathon, but I was well prepared. The course included "rolling hills," but not "climbing mountains." There was a 10-mile loop done twice, but the scenery was great and sufficiently distracting. The weather was fine. The facilities were good (i.e., lots of washrooms and aid stations that were well placed and well stocked). Not many spectators and fewer than 200 runners for the full marathon (more for the half marathon, 10K, & 5K races). This multi-race event made best use of the available volunteers, who were friendly and helpful. It's hard to believe that this was only the 2nd year for event. Very well done! I strongly recommend it. Thank you, Wenatchee.

This was my first marathon ever. I liked the course quite a bit since friends and family were able to see me often on the course. The east side of the Columbia River is too quiet, as was the finish. More support, music, or something is needed to keep runners motivated on the east side of the river. It was a lackluster feeling as I crossed the finish line for my first time. Maybe start the 10K run 30 minutes earlier. I did love that there was no need to worry about street crossings. It did get really lonely on the second lap around the river.

The course is beautiful, the scenery awesome BUT there was no pasta feed; we were left on our own to find a meal. If you go ahead with it, try Visconti's. The shirt was the most non-descript item I own and after running a hilly, windy, hot 26.2 miles, the medal was just pathetic! My kids have gotten better at local fun runs. I know some will just think I'm nitpicking but it's what I do these for! Seriously, the design is a paper sticker on a disc. Please get someone to design something that highlights the natural beauty of the area, which, other than the volunteers, was the best thing about the run. This could be a great run but I would not recommend it to my running friends. Oh, and don't even ask the staff at the Coast for a delayed check-out. The most I could manage was an extra hour, which barely gave me time to take a shower.

Very impressive job for a first-time event, and the smallest finishing field I've ever experienced (+/- 85 for the marathon?). Definitely a 'runner-run' run (which I loved), offering all the things that matter: a certified course, timing chips, splits called out, well-staffed aid stations (complete with properly sized & properly filled cups - bravo!), well-prepared volunteers calling options out clearly as well as giving words of encouragement. Nice simple event without any of the things that don't matter: no expo, no commercial hype, no bus fiascos, no waiting around unnecessarily. Yeah! The scenery was generally green and nice along the river, if not always truly stellar (treatment plant, industrial yards, etc.), the weather was absolutely ideal (cool & overcast), and the course was pretty darn flat (just enough elevation change to keep your mind & legs awake and on task). Very nice run overall! I absolutely loved the lack of cars and fumes! (Good thing to consider in choosing a marathon!) It was an easy walk through the quaint downtown, from the hotel to the start and from the finish back to the hotel again, too. Nice little city, with friendly runners and fans (not too many, but I don't thrive on crowds anyway). The only weird part was how many local people seemed to be totally unaware that there was a marathon going on in their town! Note to city movers-n-shakers: This is a great potential boon for your city!! Share a little more information around town, involve your local citizens more in this supreme celebration of fitness, and you'll draw in the healthy marathon crowd who will stay, dine, shop, explore your area... and return with their friends!! Suggestions: 0) See city note, above! 1) Offer a list of non-smoking/runner-friendly eateries at the registration table. The least pleasant part of our entire trip was trying to find decent dining in Wenatchee, where we could breathe freely!! (We finally found a pasta place called Leodardo's for pre-race, which is quite decent if you sit far away from the smoky bar area. And there's an awesome little fondue/creperie restaurant downtown which did the trick after the run! Finally ~ some good food in a healthy environment! Yum!) 2) Get a graphic designer on-board next time! The shirt's pretty banal. Pepto-bismol pink graphics?? An attempt at conjuring up the local apple blossoms perhaps? If so, please try again! 3) Clarify the turn-around points for the various races by enlarging &/or raising up those signs. I heard from several people who had run extra distance beyond the 5K/half turn, especially, and were displeased to find themselves surrounded by us marathoners! Overall, a truly nice experience. Run this marathon ~ you'll have a fantastic time! & maybe even set a new PR, as I did!

This was the first Wenatchee marathon. There were a total of five races on the day, with a 2K kids run prior to the others, and the 5K, 10K, 1/2, and full marathon starting after the end of the 2K. The course was set up in part to minimize traffic conflicts and in part to maximize the ability of the few race volunteers to manage the event. A 10 mile loop was devised along the Columbia River, crossing over a foot bridge at one end and a highway bridge at the other. The 5K and 1/2 marathon ran the first 3.1 miles together, after which the 5K ended and the 1/2 continued on and ran the full 10 mile loop before finishing in the same place. The 10K and marathon similarly shared the first 6.2 miles, after which the 10K finished, also in the same place as the 5K and 1/2, and the marathon then continued for two 10 mile loops. I expected to be a bit unhappy with the repeat loop, but in reality it was a very lovely course and having gone too hard in the middle miles, by the end of the last loop the scenery was the least of my problems. The crowd support was surprisingly good for such a small race, as cheerleaders from Wenatchee High School and Eastmont High School were stationed at different water stops, and the aid stations crews themselves were very supportive. My family liked the fact that I went past the finish area 3 times total, as it was easy for them to see me occasionally without running around in a car. A thoroughly enjoyable race I'd be happy to repeat.

I ran the event this weekend and was really pleased. The race organizer was terrific. He did a fantastic job of making everything go incredibly smooth for a first time marathon. The course is scenic and there are several places for family and spectators to cheer you on. I have high hopes for this event becoming a local favorite.

My first marathon and thought it was great. Thought the race was put on very well. Only a few suggestions. First, I didn't see any vaseline at the aid stations. If it was there, it was not advertised or visible. I think this would be helpful. Second, a few more bathrooms especially on the East Wenatchee side would be nice. Lastly, who is responsible for the T-shirts? Do you really think there is a man on this earth who will ever wear it? Pink and light blue? The shirts and mugs are truly a joke, hopefully next time you'll come up with a design and colors that all racers will like. Also, no mention on the shirt about this being the first Wenatchee run, thought that would have been nice. Still, thought the race was well done and had a great time. Thanks