Seattle, WA
Part whale, part trail, all about community…and just a little bit loopy!
About the race
The summer endurance event you won't want to miss.
Welcome to One Step Closer — an exciting summer endurance event created by Orca Running. Part whale, part trail, all about community…and just a little bit loopy!
Held in scenic Lincoln Park in Seattle, Washington, this is the summer endurance event you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re chasing a new distance, aiming for a personal best, or simply looking to spend an unforgettable day with an incredible community, One Step Closer has something for everyone. With race options for all ages and abilities, everyone is welcome. Come take one step closer to your next adventure!
Choose your own adventure: 3, 6, 12 or 18 hours on a scenic loop, plus a Kids Loopy Race. However long you run, everyone crosses the finish line together at 10:00pm for one incredible celebration.
The Course
Loops at Lincoln Park
Seattle, WA
Amazingly diverse for its size, the One Step Closer course offers a little bit of everything. Participants will tackle a scenic two-mile loop, completing as many laps as they can during their chosen event: 18 hours, 12 hours, 6 hours, or 3 hours. Don’t let the short loop fool you—every mile is packed with incredible scenery, unique features, and an atmosphere unlike any other race.
The first mile follows the breathtaking shoreline of the Puget Sound. This mostly flat section combines paved paths with packed gravel as runners take in waterfront views, watch ferries glide across the Sound, and pass Bruun Idun, Lincoln Park’s beloved troll, as she calls to the orcas. Keep your eyes open—you may spot owls, seals, whales, bald eagles, or the countless squirrels that love to make appearances along the way.
From there, runners tackle a short but spicy climb up a single-track trail into the upper portion of the park. The reward is a peaceful escape beneath towering evergreens, where winding forest trails, lush ferns, and cool shade create a completely different running experience before bringing you back to home base at the start/finish area.
Each lap offers something new. Watch the sunrise filter through the trees, enjoy the warmth of the afternoon, experience golden hour lighting up the forest, and finish beneath a sky full of stars. One of the most unforgettable moments of the day is sure to be the spectacular summer sunset over the Puget Sound—a view that reminds you exactly why you’re out there.
Back at the start/finish area every two miles, the celebration never stops. Grab a snack, visit the aid station, cheer on fellow runners, relax with friends, or even sneak in a quick nap before heading back out for another lap. This isn’t just a race—it’s your summer party.
Whether your goal is a personal best, your longest run ever, or simply enjoying an unforgettable day with friends, One Step Closer is about celebrating every individual journey. At 10:00 p.m., all participants—regardless of distance or event—cross the finish line together for one incredible celebration. It’s the perfect way to honor every challenge conquered, every goal achieved, and every step that brought us there.
Because that’s what One Step Closer is all about.
All abilities and experience levels are welcome. Come create unforgettable memories, challenge yourself, and celebrate alongside one of the most supportive running communities you’ll ever find. We can’t wait to party with you this summer!
The Food
We will have a variety of snacks, water, and tailwind endurance fuel available throughout the entirety of the race. We will also offer special treats throughout the day to mix things up for you. Coffee and pastries in the morning, lunchtime sandwiches and popsicles, and BBQed burgers (with a vegan option) for dinner. Feel free to also bring the snacks that motivate you most!
All Orca races are cupless — bring a handheld or grab a small reusable folding cup at the start.
Entry
Race morning, from 3:30am — open all day — Lincoln Park
Pre-race — date and time to be confirmed — West Seattle Runner
The on-course support is the highlight of One Step Closer and what transforms this race into one giant summer party.
You pass the start/finish area on the baseball field every two miles, and it is a full festival: music, rotating aid station snacks, a glam station, tie-dye activities, selfie spots and a loop tally station. The snack menu rotates all day and is announced as new treats come out.
One mile into the loop there is a waterfront volunteer aid station near the troll, with cowbells, colorful chalk art, water, and — during the warmest hours of the day — refreshing Otter Pops.
At the top of the climb, About to Break Hill, you’ll find motivational quotes, Linkin Park-inspired lyrics, twinkling lights and enthusiastic volunteers.
Snacks, water and Tailwind Endurance Fuel are available for the entirety of the race. You are welcome to bring your own preferred snacks too.
One Step Closer is a cupless race. Orca Running is committed to reducing waste and protecting the environment, so please bring a handheld bottle or a hydration pack. We can also provide a small reusable cup that folds easily into your waistband.
Free gear check is available at One Step Closer, and there is an area where you can stash your things between loops. In an effort to reduce waste we do not provide drop bags, so please bring your own bag. We will have identification tags for you to use.
Overall awards go to the top 3 male, female and non-binary runners in each time category. There is also the Battle of the Run Clubs trophy — a Stanley Cup style trophy for the team with the most total loops, engraved with their team name forever in One Step Closer history. Awards are not mailed after the race and must be picked up on the day, at the awards celebration at 10:10pm.
3, 6, 12 or 18 hours depending on the event you choose — everybody finishes together at 10:00 PM
Carpooling is highly recommended. There are about 200 parking spaces available in the upper Lincoln Park lot for event parking, and there is also on-street parking around Lincoln Park within walking distance. Please note, the later you arrive the further away you may need to park — plan accordingly for your race start.
Friends and family are welcome to join in the fun and cheer on their runners. There are several picnic tables and BBQ’s available for day use. Take a break from the summer heat and enjoy locally famous Colman Pool, the wading pool, or check out tide pools. There is also an excellent playground located very close to the start line (with a few others along the course). We can’t wait to see you out there!
Where your entry goes
The only hospital exclusively for marine wildlife in the Pacific Northwest, SR3 operates the SeaLife Rescue Center, a safe environment for recovery where several species of marine animals can be rehabilitated for the first time in our region.
Interested in running One Step Closer but can't afford the entry fee? Or maybe you're not sure if you belong (you do!)? The Trail Mix Fund is here to support aspiring runners on their journey by offering the opportunity to apply for a complimentary entry. Their mission is to eliminate obstacles in the racing world by covering registration fees for those who may find it challenging to afford them or who might feel hesitant about their place in the sport. You can apply for a complimentary entry to One Step Closer at trailmixfund.org/apply.
So many of us got PRs – we did something we had never done before. Challenged ourselves to achieve something previously unimaginable and we all had fun in the process. Thank you for creating a race that was less focused on speed and more on individual challenges. It was so inspiring and this is the most fun I’ve ever had at a race.
Felt like a true ‘all paces welcome’ event.
Location was fabulous. Loved the mix of trail/ gravel and road.
I loved that it felt really non-competitive. Or more specifically, that it could be as competitive as you wanted it to be. As a person who knew they weren’t going to podium, I did have to worry about who was on what loop. I could just set a goal for myself and see how I did.
The whole thing honestly. It was an amazing experience. The 2.2 mile loop was just long enough to not get redundant and made for perfect aid station timing.
The vibes were immaculate. So much energy from the race directors and volunteers all day!! Loved that we all finished together. Food was great. Loved getting to run with friends even if they were doing different overall times.
I LOVED this race! I have run a lot of “regular” races, including some ultras, but have always been intrigued about timed events and was so excited when this race was announced. I felt it played to my strengths (not fast, but persistent and can shuffle forward for a long time) and it’s true. As a mid to back of the packer in regular races, it was SO awesome to finish with everyone else, so we could all experience the “finishing feels” together.
The race course was beautiful and worked well even when it was hotter. Having a 2.2 mile loop allowed most of our party to go further than we thought we would. Our family is training for a marathon and half marathon and this was a great way to walk/run higher mileage in a safe, fun setting. Thanks again!
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Good to Know
The fine print
We have a clear set of policies that we uniformly follow for all races. Entries are not refundable, but you can defer your entry, transfer it to another race, or transfer it to another participant. You can review our full set of policies here.
There are no higher stakes than being kind to the earth; we care deeply about keeping our planet viable for the next generation. To that end, we organize our events with an eye towards minimizing our impact on the planet. Read more here.
If you have a suggestion or idea for how we can improve our events in this regard, please let us know!
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