Kirkland Half Marathon

There are a number of pretty cool half marathons in the Seattle area and count the Kirkland Half among them. It’s a little smaller than some of the halves around here (a little over a thousand people this year), but a good choice for a low-​key race.
So there’s not really an expo and the finish line is tiny, but the course is interesting and well-​marked with volunteers at all of the potential trouble spots (i.e. busy cross streets, confusing intersections, etc.). Five water stations are present along the course and there’s a medical tent if you happen to blow a hammy on a hill.
There’s a nice amount of hills, if you’re interested in that type of workout (or just masochistic). The first seven miles are run through residential areas and are a series of back-​to-​back hills with a nice elevation increase. From miles seven through ten, it’s a steep downhill: my fastest mile was the eighth in this race. The course gets more scenic along this stretch as you head back toward Lake Washington with the Olympics in the distance (mountains, not London). The last few miles are along the waterfront with a few more hills thrown in for good measure.
The timing is nice in early May since it’s usually pretty nice running weather. They also have day of race registration, so if you find yourself bored on a Sunday morning…