Question:I understand the course for the Seattle Marathon is different this year. Is
ANY of it the same? Your opinion of it? Can't decide between Tucson or
Seattle. Looks a little hilly, but according to the elevation map on the
internet my guess it's more like rolling hills, not killer hills. Any
opinions out there?
Answer:
And just what's wrong with staying overnight in Seattle, hm?
I've been doing it for 13 1/2 years with no problem!
I don't know anything about the Tucson Marathon.
I did Seattle '96 and '97, after which I swore it'd be a long
time before I returned. I just didn't like the weather, the date,
or the course.
however, this year is a new course that starts/finishes downtown.
looking at the elevation profile in the booklet, the worst hill
is at miles 14. about 100 feet in about a half to 3/4 mile. looks
much hillier than last year's course, but at least it's off that
bike path. for comparison, Portland's Marathon course features a
150 foot hill up to St. John's Bridge. very tough.
I don't think they can call it one of the fast courses anymore,
but at least they can call it a Seattle Marathon. that other
course, starting way the hell out in the country somewhere,
entirely on a bike path, and finishing by the Husky stadium,
wasn't much of a city marathon.
no day of race packet pick-up, so you're forced to stay overnight
in Seattle. of course, they messed up the packet pickup last
year, and only gave out the watches (no tshirt) to people who
came to the hotel the night before.
but, after all the talk, I'll be back again this year.
www.seattlemarathon.org
The weather for sure isn't always the best. I see on the topo map there's a
hill about 150 ft. over 2-1/2 miles which seems just about like the St.
John's Bridge hill in Portland. What's wrong with stay overnight in
Seattle? It's expensive! Good luck. Maybe I'll be there, maybe not.
I have run most of the new course for this year's Seattle Marathon. I guess
the question of whether it is a very hilly course depends on what you
compare it to.. There are no long hills like mile 17 at Portland, but most
of the course is not what you would call "flat." Mostly rolling hills
throughout.
