Skagit Flats Marathon, Half & 5k

Welcome to the 49th Annual Skagit Flats Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K race.

Run the Valley with Skagit Runners

Our marathon course is the flattest Boston qualifier in all of Washington state!

Registration is limited to 800, so be sure to register soon for one of the best small-town marathons in the state!

Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026

Race Start Time: 8:15 am Full and Half, 8:30 am for 5k. 

Distances: Marathon (26.2 miles), Half Marathon (13.1 miles), and 5k (3.1 miles)

Chip Timing: We will be using chip timing by Northwest Endurance Events for all three races.  

Discounts: 5k only-automatic age-based STUDENT discount for ages 18 or younger 

*Active Duty Military, Veterans, & First Responders-use code: FREEDOM for discount at check out

Personal Gear: We will not have a gear check.  We are not aware of any past problems with items left in vehicles. The parking lot is a relatively safe area and the risk can be further reduced if valuables are not left in plain sight.  We will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items so please plan accordingly.

Weather: The temperature on race day is usually mild. The average low is 46° F, the average high is 64° F, with an average mean temperature of 52° F. 

Race Results: Live results can be obtained at Chronokeep.com. 

Post Race: All runners will receive a finishers medal. Water will be available at the finish line along with lots of food for ALL finishers. The high school locker rooms will be open for showers and changing.

Changing Races: Race switches from the full marathon to the half marathon and vice versa must be completed before the end of Saturday packet pickup at the latest. There will be no refund for transferring down to a shorter race and a fee for the price difference will be charged for transferring up. If you are unable to make it to Saturday packet pickup, email us before Friday so that we can make a new bib number and assign a new chip. 

Pricing:

                                                Marathon     Half Marathon          5K

Early Bird - before 5/19/26          $65               $45                       $30

5/19/26  to 7/13/26                      $80               $55                       $35

7/14/26  to  9/10/26                     $95               $65                       $40

9/11/26  to  9/13/26                     $110              $75                       $45

T-Shirt and Packet Pickup:

You can pick up race packets from 1 pm to 6 pm on Saturday, September 12th, at the Hampton Inn (1860 S. Burlington Blvd) in Burlington. This is the best day to pick up your packet to avoid long lines during packet pick-up on race morning.

Day of Race Packet Pickup:

Race packets can be picked up on the morning of the race at Burlington-Edison High School from 6:45 am until 8:00 am. It is preferable to pick up your packet the day prior to the race in order to avoid long lines the morning of the race.

Learn more about Skagit County with things to do and places to stay:

Skagit Tourism Bureau, Skagit Valley Sports Commission | Playeasy 

Race Contact Info

If you have any questions about this race, please contact the race director at skagitsflatsmarathon@gmail.com

Course

Flat and fast rural course through the Skagit Valley.  The marathon is a Boston qualifier with a certification course number of USATF # WA21009RMB. The half marathon is also certified with a course number of USATF # WA19017RMB .  The race start is on Victoria Street on the south side of Burlington Edison High School.

The Skagit Flats marathon course is designed to favor roads with less traffic and lower speed limits. The marathon and half marathon are run on rural roads through the Skagit Valley farmlands (see course map for exact route) and finish on the Burlington-Edison High School track. The course will be clearly marked, with monitors at all intersections. Due to course restrictions, participants must finish within 6 hours. The course closes at 2:15 pm.

The 5K start and finish is at the same location as the full and half marathon.

Course Narrative:

Start on Victoria Street just west of the gym and make a left on Norris street. Continue under I-5, go straight at the stop sign, and after about 1 mile take a right on Pulver. Go straight through the next stop sign at Josh Wilson and then make a left on Maiben. Right on Avon-Allen, then a left on Benson.  After about a mile and a half the full marathon turns off to the right (North) on Thomas road.  The half continues about three quarters of a mile to a turnaround point and returns via the same route.  The full marathoners will follow Thomas road north to a turnaround point at Sunset Road, return south on Thomas, turn right (west) on Field road, right (north) on Church road to a turnaround point at Farm to Market road and return to Thomas road.  Runners will turn right (south) on Thomas, turn right (west) on Benson and continue straight across Allen west onto T-Loop Rd to a turn-around point.  After you turn around you will follow the course back on T-Loop, Benson all the way to Avon-Allen and continue to backtrack the route you came out. When you get back to the starting line, you will make a left and run between the gym and track and onto the track.

Course Closure:

The course will be open for 6 hours. All participants must finish the race in 6 hours. Runners and walkers who have not finished by 2:15 pm will be responsible for their own safety.  Participants receiving support from bicyclists, unregistered runners or unofficial vehicles will be disqualified.

Aid Stations:

There will be full-service aid stations located along the course. There will also be water stations near miles 12 and 18 at the last two full marathon turnaround points. The full-service aid stations will be staffed by local cross-country teams. Water, FLUID Performance sports drink, and Honey Stinger Gels will be available at these aid stations.

The approximate positions of the aid stations for the full marathon course are as follows: 1.25 miles, 3.75 miles, 5.75 miles, 7.75 miles, 9.75 miles, 11.75 miles (water only), 14 miles, 16 miles, 18 miles (water only), 20.25 mile, 22.5 miles, 24.75 miles.

Porta Potties:

We will have porta potties along the course, located adjacent to the aid stations.

Medical:

Volunteers will be riding the course with cell phones. Cell phones will also be located at the aid stations.

Rules and Regulations

1. You must be able to complete the course in 6 hours.

2. You must be in good health and physically prepared to undertake the challenges of a marathon or half marathon.

3. Event bib numbers are required for participation. Participants must fasten their bibs to the front of their shirts.

4. All participants must be registered in order to participate.

5. No strollers, skateboards, dogs or inline skates will be allowed on the course. Please do not force us to disqualify and remove you from the course for violating these rules.

6. Headphones or I-pods are discouraged during the race. Participants must be able to hear oncoming vehicles, other runners and course officials. If you cannot hear directions from course officials because you are wearing headphones you will be disqualified.

7. Participants must run no more than 2 abreast and stay to the left side of the road into traffic. Remember cars, trucks, and farm tractors are bigger than you and have the right of way along the roadway!

8. Participants must give vehicle traffic the right of way.  This event is on a course open to vehicle traffic and no special privileges are afforded to us (except for the police escort at the start).  Washington state pedestrian laws apply!

Walkers and slower participants: The Skagit Flats Marathon/Half/5K welcomes walkers! However, individuals with a 16+ minute pace are recommended to consider using a fanny pack that accommodates a water bottle. If you plan on participating at a 16+ minute pace per mile or slower, be aware that the course closes 6 hours from the start.

FAQ

Question: Are baby joggers or strollers allowed in the race? 

Answer: Because the races are run on the shoulder and edge of county roads and are not closed to traffic, baby joggers and strollers are not allowed.  

Question: What about headphones?

Answer: All participants will need to listen for traffic as well as instructions from course officials.  If you must wear headphones, keep the volume low enough to be aware of traffic and course instructions. A participant may be disqualified if they are unable to hear instructions from course officials due to the use of headphones.

Question: Will the race be chip timed?

Answer: Yes, with both starting and finishing mats.

Question: Can I help with the race even if I am not a club member?

Answer: Yes! Please contact the race director if you want to volunteer. 

Question: I don’t see an elevation map on your website. Can I get an elevation map?

Answer: The course is flat and at sea level. The only slight hill on the course has been eliminated with the new routes. There is an elevation profile available at the USATF web site.

Question: Can I switch races after I have registered?

Answer: Yes, we would be happy to help you switch races! If you are switching from the half marathon to the full marathon, you will need to pay the difference in cost. No refunds will be issued if you switch from the full marathon to the half marathon. Please contact the race director to help you make these changes.

Question: Do you cover expenses for elite runners?

Answer: No. This is a small local race put on by volunteers for the purpose of fundraising and sharing our love of running. We do not have funds available for free entries or expenses.

Question: Can I have my own personal supplies delivered to the aid stations before the race?

Answer: No. The school cross country programs each set up their own aid stations, which will be well stocked with water and sports drinks. A few aid stations should also have gels, candy and small food items available. 

Question: Will the roads where the course runs be closed to vehicular traffic?

Answer: No. The county will not allow these roads to be closed, so runners will be sharing the roads with cars (and possibly bikes). Please be aware of traffic and be especially careful at all intersections.

Question: My chip time is faster than some runners who are listed ahead of me in the results? Why is that?

Answer: Per USATF rule 245 (3), the order of finish is based on gun time, not chip time. This means that the results will be listed in the order that runners cross the finish line as it would be if chip timing was not used.

Social Media

Get the latest news by checking out Skagit Runners-Run the Valley (Facebook) or @skagitrunners_runthevalley on Instagram or at skagitrunners.com

Race Support

This project partially funded by Skagit County and City of Burlington Lodging Tax funds.

https://www.visitskagitvalley.com/