Presented by:
September 14th & 15th, 2024
USATF Certified Half Marathon & 8-Miler
NEW FOR 2024!
- Two days: Saturday and Sunday
- Orca 8-Miler, only on Sunday
- The Blowhole Challenge: Run both halves!
Why should you run in the Orca Half? Here are six seven reasons:
- Stupendous view of downtown Seattle, Blake Island, Vashon Island and Puget Sound!
- It’s pretty darned flat.
- People love the race! Read our reviews on RaceRaves.
- It’s part of the high-quality, locally-owned, runner-oriented family of Orca Running events.
- As with all Orca Running events, it benefits a local non-profit: Whale Scout
- You might even see a pod of Orcas while running!
- The race is USATF Certified!
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Swag
The medal and shirt for the Orca Half are designed by Alison Bremner, a Tlingit artist born and raised in southeast Alaska.
Wondering about sizing for the shirts? Click here.
registration prices
Half Marathon
If not already sold out online registration will close the night before race day at 8pm.
Early Reg, one week only: $70
October: $78
November-December: $83
January-March: $88
April-June: $93
July-September: $98
In-person: $108
Orca 8-Miler
Early Reg, one week only: $55
October: $63
November-December: $68
January-March: $73
April-June: $78
July-September: $83
In-person: $93
Important
Please note that all registrations are non-refundable. Be sure to review our race policies.
Prices do not include processing fees. Online pre-registration closes two days before the race at midnight.
If you’re planning on doing multiple Orca Running races in a year, consider using our Bundle and Save!
Youth Discounts
Participants under 18 automatically receive a discount of 40% on registration fees.
Participants aged 18-24 automatically receive a discount of 30% on registration fees.
charity bibs
We have partnered with Wander Project to help you do more at the Orca Half! We are bringing charity bibs to the 2023 event to help you turn your passion into purpose. How does a charity bib work?
A charity bib is a free entry into Orca Half in exchange for helping raise awareness and funds for an organization of YOUR choice. You can choose what charity you want to support:
- A US-based 501c(3) that’s near and dear to you
- One of the non-profits associated with the Orca Half
- One of the non-profits doing amazing work that’s already working with Wander Project: The Wilderness Society, Challenged Athletes Foundation, Rising Hearts, Team Semper Fi & America’s Fund, and Bigger Than The Trail.
However, if you have a cause in your local community that inspires you to do more, you can choose them as the organization you are raising funds for right at registration!
Once you register for a charity bib, you will be automatically prompted to set up a fundraising page through Wander Project’s peer-to-peer fundraising platform. From here, Wander Project will give you a whole host of tools and resources (including meet-ups, one on ones, templates, and more) to engage your friends and family throughout your fundraising journey. This means you’ll have support from Wander Project at every step of your fundraising process as you raise funds for your selected charity!
The fundraising minimum commitment is $1,000. The percentage of the funds that will be allocated to the nonprofit of your choice depends on the partnership agreement we have with each organization and spans from 65-80% of the net total raised.
By signing up for a charity bib, you are making a serious commitment to raise the amount you agreed to. If you are not able to meet the minimum fundraising amount by the week of the race, you will be required to pay the difference. All donations are final.
Once you raise your minimum commitment, you will be completely registered for the event of your choice. We look forward to seeing you at the Orca Half! Let’s turn our passions into purpose and make a difference in the world! Still have a question about how this works? Drop Wander Project’s Director of Community Engagement a line at courtney@wanderproject.org
race info
The courses
The races start at Lincoln Park, which is located at: 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle, WA 98136
The races finish at Don Armeni Boat Launch, located at: 1222 Harbor Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Shuttles will take participants from the finish area to the start area before the race. There will be no shuttles after the race.
The start line is about a 1/2 mile hike (mostly downhill) from the shuttle drop off zone down to the waterfront.
Both courses are point to point, with a small out and back section in the beginning. Half marathon participants will do another short out and back starting around mile 2.25 then another longer one towards the end. Runners will be in the parking lane, sidewalks, and on the Alki Trail. Roads will not be closed to traffic, but the parking lane will be clear of cars. Please do not run in the road!
Aid Stations are located every 2-3 miles and are stocked with water, Tailwind Electrolytes, and GU gels.
Pacers are provided for 1:45, 2:00, and 2:15 finish times for the half marathon.
CUPLESS RACING
Orca Running is committed to reducing waste and protecting the environment. As part of this commitment, we are making all events cupless. The tiny little cups that are used for an instant generate tremendous amounts of garbage. We recommend you purchase a handheld bottle, a hydration pack, or we can provide you with a small re-useable cup that folds easily into your waistband to use during the entire race and future races.
Shuttles
Shuttles ONLY run before the race. Participants will be shuttled from the finish line at the Don Armeni Boat Ramp to the start line at Lincoln Park. Shuttles will leave every 10-15 minutes starting at 6:30am.
The shuttle from the finish line to the start line is approximately 15 minutes so please plan accordingly to arrive at the start on time. There is also a 10-15 minute walk from the shuttle drop off zone down to the start line on the waterfront.
Awards
Overall awards will be given to the top 3 male, female, and non-binary runners based off of gun time not chip time. So, you should start in the front of the pack for your distance. We also give out age group awards in 5 year increments, so be sure to check your results at the Orca Running tent. We DO NOT MAIL OUT AWARDS after the race, they must be picked up at the race.
PARKING
Carpool! We really really encourage you to carpool. This is Seattle, after all. All participants must park near the finish line at the Don Armeni Boat Ramp as participants will be shuttled to the start. There is no parking at the start line at Lincoln Park as the shuttles will only run before the race, not afterward.
There is plenty of on-street parking in and around Alki and West Seattle. Remember that the later you arrive, the greater the chance that you will need to walk a little way to get to the start line. So plan ahead!
Lodging
We recommend staying at the Embassy Suites at Pioneer Square.
Embassy Suites is conveniently located in downtown Seattle and is a 15 minute drive to the race finish line. To view a map of the hotel’s location, please click here.
Policies
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.
gear check
We offer a free gear check at the starting line! In an effort to reduce waste, we will not be providing drop bags, so PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN BAG. We will have identification tags for you to use.
Charity Partners
Whale Scout leads the public in land-based whale watching experiences. We channel people’s interest and passion about whales into on the ground salmon habitat restoration projects protecting the primary food source of struggling orcas in Puget Sound.
Packet Pickup
To pick up your race packet, you have three options:
- Opt to have your race bib mailed to you. This costs $3.25 and can be selected during the registration process.
- Pick up your bib on race morning at the shuttle pick up area. Expect long lines.
- Pick up your bib pre-race at REI Seattle.
Packet Pick-up:
Date: Thursday, September 12th
Time: 1:00pm-6:00pm
Location: REI Seattle, 222 Yale Ave N, Seattle, 98109
West Seattle Water Taxi
The West Seattle Water Taxi is generously adding a 7:30am sailing on Saturday morning. The ferry leaves from Pier 50 on the Seattle Waterfront and drops you off at Seacrest Dock in West Seattle, just a short walk from the shuttle pick up area. After your race you can walk back to Seacrest Dock and take the next ferry back to Seattle. For more information click here.
Race Day scheduleS
SATURDAY:
Pre-assigned waves of 150 participants or less will start every 10 minutes.
Shuttles from the finish area to Lincoln Park (starting line area) will start at 6:30am and will run until 8:30am.
Half Marathon Wave 1: 7:30am
Half Marathon Wave 2: 7:40am
Half Marathon Wave 3: 7:50am
…
Half Marathon Wave 7: 8:30am
Saturday Course closes: 1:00pm. Participants still out on the course after 1:00pm will not be removed from the course, but may continue with the understanding that the finish line area and aid stations will be removed at 1:00pm.
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SUNDAY: Pre-assigned waves of 150 participants or less will start every 10 minutes.
Shuttles from the finish area to Lincoln Park (starting line area) will start at 6:30am and will run until 8:00am.
Half Marathon Wave 1: 7:30am
Half Marathon Wave 2: 7:40am
Half Marathon Wave 3: 7:50am
Half Marathon Wave 4: 8:00am
Orca 8 Miler: 8:15am
Sunday Course closes: 12:00pm. Participants still out on the course after 12:00pm will not be removed from the course, but may continue with the understanding that the finish line area and aid stations will be removed at 12:00pm.
FAQs
Q: How can I confirm that I am signed up?
The best thing to check first is to look in your email inbox for a confirmation email from RunSignUp for the race in question. You can also look up your registration in your RunSignUp account by logging into your account then go to your “Profile” page where you can view your current registrations under Upcoming Events. Click HERE for more information on accessing a registration in RunSignUp.
Q: How can I confirm what shirt size I ordered?
A: Your t-shirt size that you selected appears on your confirmation email. If you did not receive your confirmation email, try checking your spam folder.
Q: I cannot participate! What are my options?
A: Please check out our refund/transfer policy by clicking here.
Q: I cannot participate, but I would still like to pick up my swag. Can I pick it up?
A: Yes, you can pick it up at the race finish.
Q: Are walkers welcome?
A: Absolutely yes!
Q: Are dogs welcome?
A: No, dogs are not allowed to participate in the Orca Half. Leashed dogs are welcome at the start and finish line areas.
Q: Are strollers welcome?
A: The Orca Half does not allow strollers. The course is also narrow in spots and does have a stretch of dirt/gravel as well.
Q: What time does the course close?
A: The course closes at 1:00pm.
Q: Will there be porta-potties at the start/finish? What about out on the course?
A: There will be porta-potties available at the start line and finish line area. There will be porta-potties out on the course at several areas.
Q: When does online registration close?
A: Online registration will close at 11:59 pm two days before the race.
Q: What/who does this race benefit?
A: The Orca Half is happy to support Whale Scout as this year’s charity partner.
Q: Can someone else pick up my packet?
A: Yes, a friend or family member may pick up your packet for you. Please see above for Packet Pickup options.
Q: Can I sign up in person at packet pickup or on race day?
A: TBD for 2022
Q: Is there gear check?
A: Yes! Free gear check is available at the Orca Half at the start line. We will transport your bag to the finish line. In an effort to reduce waste, we will not be providing drop bags, so PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN BAG. We will have identification tags for you to use.
Sponsors
Virtual Race
The Orca Half now has a virtual option! Here is what you need to know:
- Cost is $50
- Limited to 5o participants
- Run and log your race anytime after you receive your swag!
- Virtual run participants will receive a shirt, medal and bib in the mail.
- Swag will ship out the week after the in-person race
- Counts towards your R-Pod medal!
Virtual Race
The West Seattle Water Taxi is generously adding a 7:30am sailing on Saturday morning. The ferry leaves from Pier 50 on the Seattle Waterfront and drops you off at Seacrest Dock in West Seattle, just a short walk from the shuttle pick up area. After your race you can walk back to Seacrest Dock and take the next ferry back to Seattle. For more information click here.