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: 8:00 am Full and Half, 8:10 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

*Currently enrolled COLLEGE STUDENTS can email Kiera at skagitrunnersrd@gmail.com for a 50% discount code for the 1/2 or Full marathon races

*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                       $30
7/14/26  to  9/12/26                     $95               $65                       $30
9/13/26  to  9/13/26                     $110              $75                      $40

T-Shirt and Packet Pickup:
You can pick up race packets from 12 pm to 5pm on Saturday, September 12th, at the Skagit Running Company (724 S 1st St, Mount Vernon, WA 98273). 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.

Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, please contact the race director at skagitrunnersrd@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.

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/