How do I register for the Tunnel Marathon?

Registration is open to anyone and opens on February 13, 2026 at 7:00 AM. Spots are available until the race fills. The entry fee is $159 and includes chip timing, a finisher medal, shirt, shuttles, and aid stations.

Is the Tunnel Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, it is a USATF-certified Boston qualifier. The net downhill course means a large share of finishers typically hit their BQ standard, making it a popular choice for runners chasing that goal.

What is the elevation profile like?

The course starts inside the Snoqualmie Pass railroad tunnel at around 2,600 feet and finishes near 521 feet, for a net drop of about 1,000 feet. The descent is gradual and follows a former rail grade, so there are no steep pitches, just a consistent downhill throughout.

What kind of weather should I expect on race day?

The tunnel start is cool and can be misty, with temperatures in the low 50s. Conditions warm as you descend toward the finish, with highs around the upper 60s. Pacific Northwest weather is variable, so some cloud cover or light rain is possible.

What is the course surface like?

The course runs on the paved Palouse to Cascades Trail after the tunnel section. It is wide, mostly straight, and closed to vehicle traffic, making for a clean and unobstructed run.

How large is the field?

Recent editions have seen roughly 850 finishers, making it a mid-sized race with a focused, fast-oriented crowd.

Jun 2027 · est.Snoqualmie Pass, WASince 2007

Tunnel Marathon

The Tunnel Marathon starts inside a mountain and drops a thousand feet to the finish. Cool air, no traffic, and a course built for fast times in the Pacific Northwest.

Net downhillOpenBQ Hotbed

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TUNNEL · US

Tunnel

JUN 2027

estimated

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Race Overview

EST. 2007

The Tunnel Marathon starts inside a mountain. Literally. You line up inside the old railroad tunnel at Snoqualmie Pass, it is dark and cold and a little surreal, and then you run out the other side onto a paved trail that drops steadily toward North Bend. That tunnel mile is the thing people talk about, and it earns it.

From there the course follows the old rail grade west. The descent is gentle and consistent, not steep enough to wreck your legs but enough to keep your pace honest. The weather helps too, at least early. It is usually cool at the start, sometimes misty, and warms as you drop in elevation. Don't bank too much on the downhill in the first half. The grade that feels free at mile five still shows up in your quads at mile twenty-two. Be patient with it. Registration opens in February and goes until the race fills, so don't sit on it too long. Entry is straightforward, no lottery, no qualifier needed, just sign up and show up.

Field size

~852

852 finishers

BQ rate

39%

Among the highest in the US

Time limit

6:00

Tight cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:25:01

Grant Martin

2024

Women

2:42:46

Chelsea Barr

2022

The Course

Total ascent

—

Total descent

↓1,000 ft

Net elevation

—

Highest point

2,603 ft

Lowest point

521 ft

Course shape

Point to point

Different start and finish

This point-to-point course begins inside the old Snoqualmie Pass railroad tunnel at roughly 2,600 feet and descends about 1,000 feet net to the finish near North Bend. The tunnel itself runs just over a mile and is flat, dark, and cool. Once out, the course follows the paved Palouse to Cascades Trail with a consistent, gentle downgrade. There are no significant climbs. The grade is gradual enough to run hard without hammering the quads early, but the sustained descent will find your legs late if you go out too fast. The surface is paved trail, wide, and mostly straight, with minimal turns. Wind exposure increases in the lower valley miles.

View official course map Past results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

50°F

High

68°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

Early June at Snoqualmie Pass tends to run cool at the gun, usually in the low 50s, which is comfortable for the tunnel stretch early on. By the time you're out in the open and dropping toward the finish, the day can warm into the upper 60s. That's not dangerous, but it's enough to make the final miles feel harder than the net downhill suggests. Dress in a light layer you can tie off and don't skip the aid stations in the back half.

Entry

OPEN

Registration opens February 13, 2026 at 7:00 AM. Entry fee is $159 for marathon, includes bib, chip timing, finisher medal, shirt, shuttles, and aid stations.

Register on race site

Logistics

For runners travelling in

Closest airport

SEA

42 mi

from the start

≈ 66 min transferManageable drive

What to expect

Most travelling runners fly into SEA, about 42 miles from the start, a manageable drive by rideshare or transit, roughly a 66-minute trip. Stay close to the start in Snoqualmie Pass, 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

1 video · YouTube

Start of the 2025 Light at the End of the Tunnel marathon.. #marathon #trailrunning #sports #fypシ

Yogi Runner

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