June 9th, 2024
about the Great Ferry Race
The Great Ferry Race is a half marathon unlike any other race you’ve ever done. Participants will board the ferry in downtown Seattle by walking on, enjoy the scenic 35 minute crossing to Bainbridge Island, and then assemble on the car deck and walk off. This half marathon race will start on the ferry dock and take runners all around scenic Bainbridge Island. The course is approximately 2/3rds road and 1/3rd groomed trail. After the run, enjoy the post-race festival before picking a return ferry of your choosing back to Seattle.
Bainbridge Island residents (or anyone who doesn’t need to take the ferry) please select the Bainbridge resident option for a discount when registering.
registration prices
Half Marathon
October: $75
November: $80
December: $85
January-March: $90
April-May: $95
June: $100
Race day: $110
Important
Please note that all registrations are non-refundable. Be sure to review our race policies.
Prices do not include processing fees. Online pre-registration closes the day before the race at 8:00pm.
If you’re planning on doing multiple Orca Running races in a year, consider using our Bundle and Save!
Youth Discounts
Participants under 18 automatically receive a discount of 40% on registration fees.
Participants aged 18-24 automatically receive a discount of 30% on registration fees.
race info
The course
This is a pretty unique course. Not only does it start by walking off a ferry, it’s a great blend of road and (tame) trail running. It’s about 3/4 on road and 1/4 on trail. We are taking advantage of some of Bainbridge Island’s wonderful parks and trails, including Grand Forest and Battle Point Park. By most road race standards, this is a hilly course. By trail running standards, it’s quite flat. There is about 1400′ of elevation gain on this course, so make sure you train on some hills! A word about the trails: these are not technical trails, so you do not need to be an experienced trail runner to do this course. That said, it’s always a good idea to be prepared, so we recommend that you take some time to run on trails prior to the race.
We will have 5 aid stations evenly spaced throughout the course supplied with water, Clif Gels, GU gels, and Tailwind Electrolytes.
CUPLESS RACING
Orca Running is committed to reducing waste and protecting the environment. As part of this commitment, we are making all events cupless. The tiny little cups that are used for an instant generate tremendous amounts of garbage. We recommend you purchase a handheld bottle, a hydration pack, or we can provide you with a small re-useable cup that folds easily into your waistband to use during the entire race and future races.
Awards
Overall awards will be given to the top 3 male, female, and non-binary runners based off of gun time not chip time. So, you should start in the front of the pack. We also give out age group awards in 5 year increments, so be sure to check your results at the Orca Running tent. We DO NOT MAIL OUT AWARDS after the race, they must be picked up at the race.
PARKING
Participants should seek out on-street parking in downtown Seattle. For exact information on rates and where to park, please consult this interactive map here. For Bainbridge Island residents, please use on-street parking in and around downtown, or there is also a paid parking lot at the Winslow Ferry Terminal.
Lodging
We recommend you stay at The Marshall Suites or The Quality Inn for those seeking lodging on Bainbridge Island.
gear check
Free gear check is included with your entry. Participants can drop off your gear check bag on the ferry before disembarking. There will be a Uhaul Mini-Van on the car deck with a cone on top that will be collecting bags. Be sure to drop off your bag while the ferry is still sailing!
Participants not riding the ferry can drop off their bags at the registration tent at the Winslow Ferry Terminal.
Gear check bags are not included, so be sure to bring a suitable bag or sack to use for gear check. You can pick up your gear check bags at the finish line at the 10×10 Orca Running booth.
Policies
We have a clear set of policies that we uniformly follow for all races. Entries are not refundable, but you can defer your entry, transfer it to another race, or transfer it to another participant. You can review our full set of policies here.
Charity Partner
The Snake River Savers is a group of volunteers located in the Pacific Northwest. Our mission is to use grassroots tactics to mobilize constituents in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho to convince their legislators to support the breaching of the lower Snake River dams. This is the single most impactful way to restore Chinook salmon runs in the Columbia River Basin and stop the population decline of Southern Resident Orcas.
Packet Pickup
You will need to pick up your race bib and ferry ticket at the Orca Running table at the ferry terminal. You can pick up your t-shirt at the finish line.
If you are not riding the ferry you must pick up your race bib at the Orca Running table just outside the Winslow Ferry Terminal. All t-shirts will be passed out at the finish line after you finish your race.
You do NOT need a ferry ticket to walk onto the ferry returning to Seattle.
Race Day schedule
6:30am: Orca Running Staff at Seattle Ferry Terminal to answer questions, pass out bibs, ferry tickets, etc.
7:45am: Orca Running Staff at Winslow Ferry Terminal to answer questions, etc.
7:55am: Ferry departs downtown Seattle
8:30am: Ferry arrives Bainbridge Island, cars begin disembarking
8:35am: Participants on Bainbridge Island Start Race
8:35am: Runners assemble on car deck, walk off ferry
8:37am-ish: Race starts!
1:00pm: Course closed
FAQs
Q: How can I confirm that I am signed up?
The best thing to check first is to look in your email inbox for a confirmation email from RunSignUp for the race in question. You can also look up your registration in your RunSignUp account by logging into your account then go to your “Profile” page where you can view your current registrations under Upcoming Events. Click HERE for more information on accessing a registration in RunSignUp.
Q: How can I confirm what shirt size I ordered?
A: Your t-shirt size that you selected appears on your confirmation email. If you did not receive your confirmation email, try checking your spam folder.
Q: I cannot participate! What are my options?
A: Please check out our refund/transfer policy by clicking here.
Q: Are walkers welcome?
A: Absolutely yes!
Q: Are dogs welcome?
A: No, dogs are not allowed to participate in the Great Ferry Race
Q: Are strollers welcome?
A: Strollers are not allowed for the Great Ferry race.
Q: What time does the course close?
A: The course closes at 1:00 pm.
Q: Will there be porta-potties at the start/finish? What about out on the course?
A: There will be porta-potties available at the start line and finish line area. There will be porta-potties out on the course at several areas.
Q: When does online registration close?
A: Online registration will close at 8:00pm the day before the race.
Q: What/who does this race benefit?
A: The Great Ferry Race supports Kid’s In Concert and Bainbridge Youth Services.
Q: Can someone else pick up my packet?
A: Please see above for packet pickup details.
Q: Can I sign up in person at packet pickup or on race day?
A: Yes, if the race is not already sold out.
Q: Is there gear check?
A: Yes! Free gear check is included with your entry. Participants can drop off your gear check bag on the ferry before disembarking. There will be a Uhaul Mini-Van on the car deck with a sign or cone on top that will be collecting bags. Be sure to drop off your bag while the ferry is still sailing!
Participants not riding the ferry can drop off their bags at the registration tent at the Winslow Ferry Terminal.
Gear check bags are not included, so be sure to bring a suitable bag or sack to use for gear check. You can pick up your gear check bags at the finish line at the 10×10 Orca Running booth.