How do I register for the Seattle Marathon?

Registration is open to everyone through Race Roster. Entry opens April 1 and closes October 11. Early bird rates are available through March 31, 2026, so signing up early saves you money. Charity entries are also available through multiple partners.

Is the Seattle Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the course is USATF certified and qualifies for Boston. The rolling terrain and cumulative elevation gain mean you'll want a solid pacing strategy to hit your qualifying standard.

What is the elevation profile like?

The course gains just under 1,700 feet over its multi-loop layout, with a near-flat net elevation change. The challenge is cumulative rolling hills rather than one big climb, which demands consistent effort throughout.

What weather should I expect on race day?

Race day falls on Thanksgiving weekend in late November. Expect temperatures in the 40s with a moderate chance of rain. Dress in moisture-wicking layers and be ready for cool, wet conditions.

How large is the field?

The Seattle Marathon draws several thousand finishers, making it one of the larger marathons in the Pacific Northwest. The Thanksgiving weekend date gives it a festive but competitive atmosphere.

Sat, Nov 28 · 2026Seattle, WASince 1970

Seattle Marathon

Run through Seattle on Thanksgiving weekend, taking on a course that trades rolling hills for a finish you have to work for. Cool temps and the occasional rain keep things honest.

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SEATTLE · US

Seattle

SAT, NOV 28

2026

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Race Overview

EST. 1970

The Seattle Marathon runs on Thanksgiving weekend, which tells you something about who shows up. The crowd skews serious, the air is cold, and there is a real chance of rain. The course is a multi-loop that rolls through the city, and those hills add up faster than you'd expect. You won't feel them pounding you all at once, but somewhere in the back half your legs will remind you they were there the whole time. Don't bank time on the early descents. Seriously. The finish feels earned in the best way.

This is not a flat, fast PR course for most runners. The elevation gain is real, and the November weather in Seattle means you should dress in layers and expect anything from drizzle to a proper downpour. That said, it's a Boston qualifier, and plenty of runners hit their marks here. Getting in is easy: registration is open, no lottery, and early bird rates are available if you plan ahead. If you want a Thanksgiving-weekend race with some grit to it and a city that knows how to put one on, Seattle delivers.

Field size

~8.6k

8,642 finishers

BQ rate

—

Boston qualifier

Time limit

6:00

Tight cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:17:09

Luke Calubayan

2025

Women

2:49:20

Ellie Baxter

2025

The Course

1,689 ft total gain

Total ascent

↑1,689 ft

Total descent

↓1,692 ft

Net elevation

↓3 ft

Highest point

352 ft

Lowest point

14 ft

Course shape

Multi loop

Start and finish in one place

The Seattle Marathon carries nearly 1,700 feet of gain across its multi-loop layout, making it a honest workout even though the net elevation is nearly flat. Expect rolling terrain throughout rather than one concentrated climb. The first half tests your legs with repeated short rises, so going out too fast will cost you later. Use the descents to recover rather than bank time. The course tops out just above 350 feet, so no single climb is extreme, but the cumulative effort adds up. Aim for even effort, not even pace, and save something for the back half. USATF certified and Boston-qualifying, but a PR requires disciplined pacing.

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Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

39°F

High

49°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

Late November in Seattle means you should expect cold and damp, and possibly rain. The start will feel sharp, so dress in throwaway layers you're okay leaving on the course. Once you're moving the chill is manageable, but wet roads and wind off the water can make the back half feel harder than your pace suggests. It's not a day to chase splits in a singlet. Dress for the gun temperature and let the miles warm you up.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration on Race Roster. Multiple charity partners available for entries. Early bird rates available through March 31, 2026.

Register on race site

Logistics

For runners travelling in

Closest airport

SEA

11 mi

from the start

≈ 17 min transferOn the doorstep

What to expect

Most travelling runners fly into SEA, about 11 miles from the start, right on the doorstep by rideshare or transit, roughly a 17-minute trip. Stay close to the start in Seattle, WA so you're not fighting race-morning closures and transit on tired legs. Arrive a day early to clear the expo and bib pickup, and build in buffer for gear-check and corral entry.

From the Community

2 videos · YouTube

Seattle Marathon 2025: 3D Video Course Map | 42.2 km - Seattle

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SEATTLE DIARIES | Seattle Marathon + coffee with friends

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