How do I register for the Whidbey Island Marathon?

Registration is open on a rolling basis with no lottery. You can sign up year-round through race day, and late registration is also available at packet pickup on April 25 and 26.

Is the Whidbey Island Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, it is a certified Boston qualifier. The course is USATF certified and run on a point-to-point route that qualifies for BQ purposes.

What is the course elevation like?

The course is net zero in elevation, but it is not flat. The high point is around 440 feet, and the rolling character means you'll encounter several climbs and descents spread across the race rather than one concentrated hill.

How big is the field?

This is a small race with a few hundred finishers, so you won't be fighting for corral space or navigating massive crowds on course.

What should I expect for race-day weather?

Late April on Whidbey Island typically brings cool mornings in the upper 30s and highs in the low 50s. Rain and wind are possible, so dress in layers and bring a throwaway for the start.

How do I get to Whidbey Island?

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the nearest major airport, roughly 1.5 hours away. The most direct route to the race area from the Seattle side involves a 20-minute ferry crossing. Plan your travel around ferry schedules, especially if you're arriving race morning.

Apr 2027 · est.Oak Harbor, WASince 2002

Whidbey Island Marathon

The Whidbey Island Marathon runs point-to-point across a quiet Pacific Northwest island, delivering a net-zero course with genuine Boston-qualifying potential and the kind of small-field atmosphere where you actually notice the scenery.

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WHIDBEY ISLAND · US

Whidbey Island

APR 2027

estimated

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Race Overview

EST. 2002

Whidbey Island is the kind of race that feels genuinely different from a big-city marathon. You get there by ferry from the mainland, which already sets the mood. The course runs point-to-point across the island and the field is small enough that you know what's going on around you the whole time. It's quiet out there. Rural roads, Puget Sound in the background at points, and no roaring crowds to carry you through. You have to run your own race.

The course has real rolls to it, so don't let the net-zero elevation fool you into going out too hard. The high point is well above 400 feet, and what goes up does come back down, but the climbs show up a few times rather than all at once. Respect that early and you'll feel good in the back half. Getting in is easy, registration is open and stays that way right up to race weekend, so there's no lottery stress here. If you're chasing a Boston qualifier and want a low-key, manageable field where you can actually execute a race plan, this is worth the ferry ride.

Field size

~233

233 finishers

BQ rate

2%

Below national average

Time limit

6:00

Tight cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:46:28

Steve Vesbach

2018

Women

2:59:50

Bronwyn Crossman

2018

The Course

Total ascent

—

Total descent

—

Net elevation

—

Highest point

442 ft

Lowest point

3 ft

Course shape

Point to point

Different start and finish

This point-to-point course is net zero in elevation, meaning what goes up comes back down across the full 26.2 miles. The highest point sits just above 440 feet, so there are real rolls to navigate rather than a flat road race. The climbs and descents are spread across the course, not concentrated late, which helps with pacing. A measured approach early pays off when the back half ticks by. USATF certified and run on island roads with modest traffic, this is a course set up for a BQ attempt, though the rolling character means you need to stay disciplined rather than chase early splits.

View official course map Past results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

38°F

High

52°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

Late April on Whidbey Island means a cool, often damp morning at the gun. You'll want a throwaway layer at the start and plan to shed it once you're moving. Temperatures are mild enough by mid-race that overheating isn't a concern for most people, but the Pacific Northwest can deliver wind and rain on any given day. This is generally a good window for fast running, just don't count on sunshine. Dress in layers and be ready to race the conditions if a front rolls through.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration available on a rolling basis until race day. Late registration also available April 25-26 at packet pickup.

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Frequently Asked

7 questions

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