UW Medicine Seattle Marathon
Sunday, November 29, 2026
Elevation Gain
200m
Earlier estimate; not verified for 2026.
Previous elevation range
47m
Planning Temperature
42°F / 6°C
Planning estimate, not a forecast.
Course Profile
rolling
Organizer describes rolling hills.
2026 course preview
The organizer publishes this 2026 Strava preview. It is not a final certified course; follow the organizer’s final race instructions.
Strava preview: 26.5 mi · 859 ft elevation gain (about 262 m). These are preview figures, not certified measurements.
2025 reference course map
Historical 2025 reference map. For the upcoming race, use the organizer’s 2026 preview above and check the final race instructions. View organizer course information. View map source.
Previous elevation estimate; source not yet verified. Retained for context, not an official profile for the displayed 2025 map or the 2026 race.
These landmarks describe the 2025 reference route. Compare them with the 2026 preview above and the organizer’s final race instructions.
Course Overview
The organizer-linked 2025 reference map starts at Seattle Center, then passes Eastlake, Interlaken, the Arboretum, the 520 pedestrian flyover, the University of Washington, Burke-Gilman Trail, Gas Works, Fremont, Magnolia and the Elliott Bay waterfront before Pier 66. The organizer’s 2026 preview appears above. These landmarks refer to 2025; final 2026 certification remains unverified.
Key Segments
Seattle Center, Eastlake and Interlaken
Terrain: 2025 reference: urban streets from Seattle Center toward Eastlake, Lakeview and Interlaken.
Challenge: Early changes of grade can make a fast start feel easier than it will later.
Tactic: Settle into an even effort and avoid treating the opening terrain as a pace target.
Arboretum, 520 flyover and University of Washington
Terrain: 2025 reference: the Arboretum, the 520 pedestrian flyover, Rainier Vista and the UW campus.
Challenge: A sequence of transitions calls for calm pacing rather than chasing splits between landmarks.
Tactic: Practice maintaining effort through short changes in grade on rolling urban routes.
Burke-Gilman, Gas Works and Fremont
Terrain: 2025 reference: paths and streets around Burke-Gilman, Gas Works and Fremont.
Challenge: The middle portion rewards steady fueling and attention to changing surfaces and turns.
Tactic: Rehearse fueling on long runs and keep effort controlled through the middle miles.
Magnolia, Elliott Bay and Pier 66
Terrain: 2025 reference: Magnolia, Elliott Bay Trail, Olympic Sculpture Park, Alaskan Way and Wall Street to Pier 66.
Challenge: Late-race urban terrain can feel demanding when form and focus are fading.
Tactic: Include late-long-run rolling work, then compare the 2026 preview and final race instructions before choosing race-specific pacing.
Race-Specific Training
- •Build long-run confidence on rolling urban terrain with gradual changes of grade rather than relying on a single flat route.
- •Practice fueling, layers and footing in cool or wet conditions during training, then adjust to the race-week forecast.
- •Use the 2025 reference landmarks for orientation only; revise specific preparation using the 2026 preview and final race instructions.
Conditions & Environment
Altitude
Urban sea-level conditions. The 2025 reference map does not supply a verified elevation profile.
Weather
For planning only, NOAA SeaTac November 29 daily normals (1991–2020) are 43.8°F mean, 49.2°F high and 38.5°F low; this is not a forecast or downtown race-hour observation.
Sun & Wind
Check the race-week forecast and organizer guidance for wind, rain and visibility; the organizer’s final 2026 race instructions take precedence over the preview.
What to Wear
Choose layers and footwear from the current forecast, and test them on long runs before race day.
Pacing Strategy
| Segment | Pace | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Opening urban terrain | Controlled effort | Use perceived effort instead of banking time on early changes of grade. |
| Middle reference landmarks | Steady, fueled effort | Keep fueling routine and form consistent through changing terrain. |
| Late waterfront approach | Sustainable effort | Check the 2026 preview and final instructions before planning your effort for the finish. |
Race Day Tip
The verified 2026 start is 7 AM. Confirm race-week logistics, weather, aid stations and the published course before finalizing your pacing or gear plan.
Verification and Sources
2026 course preview checked; race details and weather reference checked Sep 7.
Open: The organizer labels the 2026 map as a preview; final certified course alignment and certification number remain unverified. The retained 200 m estimate and historical elevation samples are separate from Strava’s preview figures and have unverified provenance.
Race Details
- 2026 start
- 7 AM, 5th Avenue and Harrison Street by Seattle Center
- 2026 finish
- Bell Harbor Pier 66
- Expo
- The Westin Seattle, November 27–28, 2026
- Organizer contact
- info@seattlemarathon.org
- BQ qualification
- Organizer FAQ says the marathon is a Boston-qualifying race; the 2026 certification number is forthcoming.
- Recent editions
- 2023: November 26; 2024: December 1; 2025: November 30.
- 2026 preview figures
- Strava reports 26.5 mi and 859 ft (about 262 m) elevation gain. These preview figures are not certified course measurements.
Race details subject to change. Verify with the official race website.
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