Olympia Lakefair Races - Half Marathon, 8K & 3K
- Date
- July 18, 2026
- Location
- 399 5th Ave SW, Olympia, WA
- Distance
- Jerry Miller Half Marathon · 8K Run · 3K Run & 3K Kid's Run
From the Organizer
2026 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Olympia Lakefair Races, which include the Jerry Miller Half Marathon, an 8K and a 3K including free entry for Kids 14 and under; taking runners on routes that circle around the town of Olympia and beyond into Tumwater and Thurston County.
Both the 3K and 8K start and finish on 5th Avenue in front of Heritage Park. They both circle Capitol Lake, with the 8K continuing into Tumwater Historical Park before returning. Both are flat and fast courses.
The Jerry Miller Half Marathon heads briefly through downtown Olympia, then along the Woodland Trial and Chehalis Western Trail biking paths. The course continues on rural streets and a short trail and tour of Squaxin Park before heading back along East Bay Drive and running through downtown Olympia to the finish line in front of Heritage Park. Runners will enjoy tree-lined trails and scenic landscapes while enjoying flat and narrow paved trails throughout.
Once runners have completed the course, there is an awards ceremony with several raffle awards as well as age group award up to 90+ for all three races. Participants, family and friends can then enjoy festival activities that are held all around Heritage Park including food and beer tents, carnival rides, booths, a parade and more.
The Valley Athletic Club is proud to be the 2026 Presenting Sponsor. The Olympia Lakefair Races are brought to you by the Lake Run Organization and the Rotary Club of Olympia, and benefit local public High School Cross Country and Track programs and Rotary Club of Olympia Scholarship and Grant recipients.
See you July 18, 2026!
Events
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
78°
Typical Low
51°
Chance of Rain
14%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Olympia Ap, 5 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Olympia, WA
Population
55,583
as of 2023
Elevation
15 ft
Nearest Airport
OLM
Olympia Regional Airport · 5 mi
Major Hub
SEA
Seattle–Tacoma International Airport · 39 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 Olympia Lakefair Races - Half Marathon, 8K & 3K, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
40
Days to train
- Race
- Olympia Lakefair Races - Half Marathon, 8K & 3K
- Date
- July 18, 2026
- Location
- 399 5th Ave SW, Olympia, WA
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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.
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 Olympia Lakefair Races - Half Marathon, 8K & 3K?
- Olympia Lakefair Races - Half Marathon, 8K & 3K is a running race held in Olympia, Washington on July 18, 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 Olympia Lakefair Races - Half Marathon, 8K & 3K?
- Saturday, July 18, 2026 in Olympia, Washington at 399 5th Ave SW, Olympia, WA. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Olympia Lakefair Races - Half Marathon, 8K & 3K?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Olympia Lakefair Races - Half Marathon, 8K & 3K
Jul 18, 2026