Half Marathon
1 loop · 13.1 mi
One loop. With all of the trimmings and plenty fast for a PR.
Start 8:00 AM
41st Annual · Runs along Lake Washington
Seattle GhostMarathon A race like no other.
$150 + fees · Ferdinand Street Boat Launch, Seattle, WA 47.55778, -122.26225 (LINK)
Flat & fast
A course built for a PR
Run south from the start, clockwise around Seward Park, then north along Lake Washington Boulevard, with minimal elevation, late-season cool air.
Certified
USATF measured, BQ eligible
A certified course and a Boston Marathon qualifier, timed and scored chip-accurate. Late November is prime weather for a fast finish.
Hang Out After
Runner-first support
Fully stocked aid stations, tents and heaters at the finish, hot food, and a party that doesn't pack up early.
Pick your distance
Three races,
one lake.
Every distance shares the same flat ribbon along Lake Washington Boulevard, looped around Seward Park. Choose the loop count that suits the day you're chasing.
Marathon
2 loops · 26.2 mi
Two loops. Certified, BQ course and famously flat.
Start 7:00 AM · early option 6:00 AM
50K
Run a loop of Seward Park plus a half mile out and back then the marathon course · 31 mi
2 big loops with an extra lap of Seward Park plus a mile.
Start 6:00 AM
The real route
On the ground,
on the lake.
Drawn to the real shoreline: Seward Park's shape is traced from the actual loop road. What's shown below is one loop of the course, the half marathon. Marathon and 50K repeat it (see caption).
Half marathon: one loop shown above (13.1 mi). Marathon: two full loops back to back (26.2 mi). 50K: three Seward Park laps, with a short out-and-back near the start standing in for one of the trips to Leschi (31 mi).
Race morning
From dark
to daylight.
Staggered starts send each distance off into the dark and bring everyone home before the course closes. Check-in opens early, so does the coffee.
-
5:00
Check-in opens
Packet pickup and bib collection for all runners. Arrive early to park and warm up.
-
6:00
50K & early marathon start
The 50K and the early-start marathon head out under headlamp, into the dark.
-
7:00
Marathon start
The main marathon field rolls out as the sky over the lake begins to lighten.
-
8:00
Half marathon start
The half launches into full morning, one loop of the boulevard ahead.
-
2:00
Course closes
The course, aid stations, and finish recovery area close at 2:00 PM. Plan your finish accordingly.
Included
What's waiting
for you.
Your entry covers the things that actually matter at mile 20 and after the finish line.
01
Stocked aid stations
Fully supplied stations around the loop. Fuel, fluids, and friendly faces when you need them.
02
Finisher hoodie
A warm finisher hoodie, not a flimsy tee. Earned, and built to actually wear.
03
Post-race meal
Hot food at the finish to put back what the lake took out of you.
04
Heaters & a party
Heaters at the finish and an atmosphere that sticks around for the back of the pack.
Runner guide
Get there,
park, run.
Everything you need to plan the morning. Have a question we didn't cover? It's probably in the FAQ below.
Parking
You can drop off on Lk WA blvd but there is no parking in the race park.
Free parking is available in the surrounding neighborhoods. No permit is required. Arrive early, give yourself a buffer, and respect the neighbors, this is a residential area.
Results
Live and final results are posted on ChronoKeep. We'll share the link here and on social before race day.
Good to know
- NOT ALLOWED: DOGS, STROLLERS, WHEEL CHAIRS. The race is run on sidewalks and does not have room to accommodate them.
- The course is a flat, fast out-and-back loop on Lake Washington Boulevard, clockwise around Seward Park.
- Half Marathon is one loop, Marathon is two loops, 50K adds an extra Seward Park +1 mile loop at the start.
- Aid stations are stocked and staffed every 3 miles.
- The course and finish area close at 2:00 PM, plan your start time to finish by 1:00 pm.
- Want to help? We're always looking for volunteers, email us to join the crew.
Questions
FAQ
Is the course really flat and fast?
Yes. The course runs along Lake Washington Boulevard with looped sections around Seward Park, with minimal elevation change. It's USATF certified and a Boston Marathon qualifier.
What's the difference between the race distances?
The half marathon is a single loop. The marathon is two loops. The 50K is the marathon plus an additional loop of Seward Park and a half mile out and back at the start. All three share the same flat route.
When do I need to finish?
The course, aid stations, and finish recovery area all close at 2:00 PM. Check-in opens at 5:00 AM, and start times are staggered by distance, so plan your pace to finish before the cutoff. If you need more time to finish before 2:00 please start early enough to do so.
Where do I park?
There is no parking in the start / finish park. Free parking is available in the surrounding neighborhoods with no permit required. Arrive early and be considerate of residents.
What's included with registration?
Fully stocked aid stations, a finisher medal and hoodie, a post-race meal, heaters at the finish, and a finish-line party. Registration is $150 plus fees (price to be confirmed for 2026) through RunSignUp.
Where do I see results?
Results are posted on ChronoKeep. The link will be shared here and on our social channels around race day.
Can I volunteer?
Absolutely. Volunteers make this race run. Email us to join the crew and we'll get you set up.
Why we run
The Seattle Ghost Marathon is run by NWUltras, a nonprofit. Race proceeds fund K-12 digital access for students in underserved communities, the tools and connectivity to learn.
Every entry puts a fast race on a beautiful course in front of you, and a laptop or a connection in front of a kid who didn't have one. That's the whole idea.
41st Annual · Sat Nov 28, 2026
Run with the ghosts.
Half, marathon, or 50K on the flat fast shore of Lake Washington. Registration is $150 + fees.
Register on RunSignUp