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Running

Last Chance Marathon and Half Marathon

Date
December 31, 2026
Distance
Marathon · Half Marathon
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From the Organizer

OK, here is your Last Chance to run a 1/2 marathon or full marathon this year! The 1/2 marathon course is an out and back and the full marathon course is the same out and back course two times, starting at Fairhaven Park Pavillion, running the Interurban trail out to Clayton Beach for the full 13.1 miles or 26.2. Course is subject to change if trail conditions mandate.

 

This trail has spectacular views and very few hills, just enough hills to make it interesting, and break up the flat sections. FYI: We have been known to have SNOW this time of the year so plan accordingly. The majority of this trail is covered with a canopy of trees which deflects some of the rain or snow, but this also means it doesn’t heat as fast as an open course would. It can get cold. The majority of the trail is an old railroad bed, very easy to run on gravel surface, with the exception of Arroyos Park. Arroyos Park is a double track trail with a few bridges and a few fun hills. It is a very well maintained set of trails.

 

The bathrooms at Fairhaven Park will be unlocked as well as the warm heated Pavillion.

 

You should plan on being self-sufficient and carrying your own water and aid. The 1st aid station on the course is ~ 3.5 miles into the race off Chuckanut Crest Drive. In the 1/2 marathon you will run by this aid station twice, and 4 times in the full marathon.  There will be an aid station at the turn around which you will access once in the 1/2 marathon and twice in the full marathon. We will also have an aid station at the start/finish so full 1/2 marathoners will have 3 chances to refill their water bottles, about every 3 to 3.5 miles, & marathoners will have 7 chances to refill their water bottles.  We will have water, an electrolyte drink and other snacks at the aid stations.  Usually I put some type of candy like candy corn, gummy bears, bananas, pretzels, typical ultra style foods. You won’t go hungry!
Keep an eye on the website for any changes to the event. Finishers will receive a Last Chance coin/medal similar to the quality of the Woolley Runs coin.  We will provide food at the end like all the NW Ultra Events.  While all your friends are recovering from their hang over and resting up before the evening’s festivities, you’ll be burning calories and ready to PARTY hardy knowing you’ve already burned off that extra beer or two, or three.

Events

Marathon9 AMRegister →
Half Marathon9 AMRegister →

Weather

Typical Conditions

It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.

Typical High

46°

Typical Low

34°

Chance of Rain

64%

Based on US Climate Normals data from Bellingham 3 Ssw, 3 mi from the venue.

Sunrise 8:04 AMSunset 4:23 PMDaylight 8h 20m

Host City

About Bellingham, WA

Population

92,367

as of 2023

Elevation

89 ft

Nearest Airport

BLI

Bellingham International Airport · 4 mi

Major Hub

SEA

Seattle–Tacoma International Airport · 90 mi

Time Zone

Pacific Time

From Endurance Grid

A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.

Race Location

Your Next Start Line

What Are You
Waiting For?

Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Last Chance Marathon and Half Marathon, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.

206

Days to train

Race
Last Chance Marathon and Half Marathon
Date
December 31, 2026

From Endurance Grid

About This Sport

Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.

The half marathon is the distance where you find out what you're actually made of. Long enough to demand real preparation. Short enough that it doesn't consume your life to train for it. Most people who run their first half describe it as the race that changed their relationship with what they're capable of. Once you cross this finish line, the bar moves. That's not a warning — that's the point.

Race day energy varies by event size, but the finish line feeling is the same regardless. Big races keep the noise going the whole way. Smaller races give you stretches where it's just you and the miles — and that solitude becomes its own kind of fuel.

The half marathon rewards people who show up for the boring training miles.

How long to train: 10–14 weeks. If you're already running consistently, 10 weeks of structured buildup is enough. If you're building from a casual base, give yourself 14.

Read the Guide

Running

From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Last Chance Marathon and Half Marathon?
Last Chance Marathon and Half Marathon is a running race held in Bellingham, Washington on December 31, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
When and where is the Last Chance Marathon and Half Marathon?
Thursday, December 31, 2026 in Bellingham, Washington at 107 Chuckanut Dr N, Bellingham, WA. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
How do I register for the Last Chance Marathon and Half Marathon?
Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.

Last Chance Marathon and Half Marathon

Dec 31, 2026

Register →