The&nbsp;Ghost of Tacoma is a low key event for those who wish to run two marathons in two days (the perfect opportunity to qualify for the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.marathonmaniacs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marathon Maniacs</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://halffanatics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Half Fanatics</a>!). The marathon and half marathon will be chip-timed and accurately measured but they are not certified courses for Boston and New York at this time. This is an event more about completing the challenge of two races distances in two days (or add Saturday&rsquo;s 5K to go for 3 races in 2 days!).
Course Support:&nbsp;Runners must obey pedestrian laws when crossing streets, there are no mile markers and only 1 aid station at the turnaround.&nbsp;
Aid Stations:&nbsp;There are bathrooms located along Ruston Way, with Honey Buckets at mile 1, fixed bathrooms at miles 2.3, 3 and 3.5. The marathon is run twice and there will be aid at the finish line (mile 13.1) before you head back out.&nbsp;
Course Route:&nbsp;The route is mostly on paved bike paths along the Puget Sound, there are several street crossings.&nbsp;Please note that the course is on sidewalks and you must obey pedestrian laws.&nbsp; Race swag will be available for pick up during packet pickup or at the finish line on race day. Unclaimed swag cannot be mailed out after the race, so don&rsquo;t forget to grab yours before you leave!
<ul>
<li>Marathon&nbsp;&amp; Half Marathon Runners&nbsp;will receive a tech shirt (guaranteed shirt &amp; size cutoff is 4/12*). </li>
<li>5K &amp; 10K Runners &amp; Ghost Runners&nbsp;receive a tri-blend shirt (guaranteed shirt &amp; size cutoff is 4/12*).</li>
<li>Optional Apparel/Merchandise&nbsp;available for purchase while supplies last.</li>
</ul> Join us for the return of the Ghost of Tacoma on Saturday and the Tacoma City Marathon on Sunday with Marathon Relay, Half Marathon 5K and 10k options also available.
Run 3 races in 2 days! Kick off Saturday morning with the 5K or 10K (8:00 am start) and afterwards, run the Ghost of Tacoma Marathon or Half Marathon (9:00 am start). Then complete the weekend with the Tacoma City Marathon or Half Marathon on Sunday. PLUS receive a $40 Discount on the Ghost of Tacoma if you register for the Sunday Marathon or Sunday Half Marathon. Discount will be automatically applied to your cart when you add both races (must be the same registrant for both races).
Sunday’s Marathon and Half Marathon are point-to-point courses running across the iconic Narrows Bridge and finishing at Tacoma’s beautiful Dune Peninsula Park, the Northwest’s premier waterfront neighborhood. This picturesque entertainment and recreation hub is situated along Commencement Bay with panoramic views of the Puget Sound, the Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges.
Runners will enjoy a scenic, USATF-Certified and Boston Qualifying course that passes through Point Defiance Park, with over 700 acres of beautiful gardens and old growth forests. After exiting Pt. Defiance, the Marathon and Half Marathon runners will cross over the Wilson Way Bridge with a sweet half mile downhill to the Puget Sound and Dune Peninsula Park where the Half Marathon will finish. The Marathon will continue down the flat and fast waterfront with views of Mt. Rainier and the Puget Sound. The Marathon turnaround is along the Thea Foss Waterway Esplanade and the beautiful Museum of Glass.

Tacoma City Marathon

Post-Race Review/ Results

One runner's account of his experience at the 2025 Tacoma City Marathon.

Pushing through pain at the Tacoma Marathon

Hilly 1st half (1000 elev. Gain) but net downhill. Great smaller race. Minor quibbles. Great scenery.

Marathon Summary

Marathon Results